The Indian Panorama

Month: May 2017

  • THRIVENYC- FIRST LADY CHIRLANE MCCRAY ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF MATERNAL DEPRESSION SCREENING TO ALL NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS

    THRIVENYC- FIRST LADY CHIRLANE MCCRAY ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF MATERNAL DEPRESSION SCREENING TO ALL NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS

    Kicker:Removing stigma and identifying depression help women get the support they need

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): First Lady Chirlane McCray announced, May 18, that all NYC Health + Hospitals locations citywide will now provide maternal depression screenings for pregnant women and new mothers. Through an expansion under ThriveNYC, depression screenings will be adopted as a routine part of care at pre-natal clinics at 12 NYC Health + Hospital sites, including all 11 hospitals and NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Gouverneur, a large community health center on the Lower East Side.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1 in 9 women experience maternal depression. Yet too often, maternal depression goes undiagnosed because many providers do not regularly provide screenings and women are afraid of the stigma associated with the condition. Universal screening ensures that pregnant women and new mothers get the support they need to recover and fully bond with their new babies.

    “Maternal depression is common. It’s also treatable – but only if women know to get help,” said the First Lady of NYC Chirlane McCray, who spearheads the city’s efforts on mental health and substance misuse. “Too often, women are afraid to admit that they’re struggling because they don’t understand that their pain is a real, clinical condition and they don’t want to be labeled a bad mom. Universal screening for maternal depression reminds women they should never feel ashamed for needing help. It also connects them to care early so they can recover and experience the joy of a new baby. I’m so proud that Health + Hospitals will be screening every new mother. We will continue to help transform the culture around postpartum depression and connect new families to essential resources.”

    Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives Richard Buery said, “Each year in New York City, several thousands of women experience depression after pregnancy, yet, for many, the fear of looking like a ‘bad mother’ prevents them from reaching out for the care they need. By making maternal depression screening available at all Health + Hospitals locations Citywide, ThriveNYC removes stigma as a barrier for seeking help and closes a critical treatment gap – providing new mothers the right interventions at the right time to ensure they and their newborn can have a healthy and stable transition into their new life together.”

    “Depression screening is the first step toward addressing the overall wellness of pregnant women and new moms,” said Gregory Calliste, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “Once a need is identified it is essential to have services in place and ready to address the patient’s concerns. Woodhull’s Mothers Support Groups were designed to increase access to timely mental health services to address maternal depression and provide women with a necessary support system. We are encouraged by the impact the program has been having on the lives of the women we treat and look forward to expanding our efforts.”

    Every year, over 18,000 newborns are delivered in the NYC Health + Hospitals system. Since April 2016, NYC Health + Hospitals has screened over 6,500 pre-natal patients and over 2,700 post-partum patients. NYC Health + Hospitals expects to screen 15,000 patients over the next year through the expansion of the program.

    The screenings are conducted through a series of questions known as the PHQ-9 tool, which is typically self-administered by patients during the intake process. In the last year, nine percent of pre-natal patients screened positive for maternal depression. A continued effort to address stigma through ThriveNYC public awareness campaigns and other forms of outreach aims to further reduce the number of women who refuse treatment or fail to appear for follow-up appointments.

    The maternal depression screening project is an initiative of ThriveNYC, New York City’s comprehensive plan to overhaul the City’s approach to mental health by removing stigma as a barrier for seeking care and increasing the availability of treatment options. The initiative established a citywide collaborative to increase maternal depression screening at hospitals responsible for 80% of the live births in New York City, which includes members of the Greater New York Hospital Association.

    “Screening for maternal depression has been an important part of my Family- Friendly Brooklyn vision, a vision that promotes a borough where we raise healthy children and families,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams. “I have been proud to partner with organizations like the Seleni Institute to help train practitioners, and I’m pleased that NYC Health + Hospitals is expanding screenings across its system. I call on the State to fully fund maternal depression screening, as we look to support every pregnant woman and new mom in New York.”

    “By expanding these critical maternal depression screenings across our public health system, our City’s new moms and soon to- be-moms will be able to receive adequate support, resources and treatment,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “I commend First Lady Chirlane McCray, Thrive NYC, and NYC Health + Hospitals for ensuring that new families across our City receive the assistance they need.”

    “Having a baby can be an incredible and rewarding experience for moms and families, but it is also a very challenging time,” said State Senator Liz Krueger. “Many women experience symptoms of maternal depression without knowing what’s happening to them, and without having access to diagnosis and treatment. But once diagnosed, maternal depression is very treatable. That’s why the First Lady’s initiative is so important. I thank her for her efforts on this issue, and NYC Health + Hospitals for looking after the mental health of New York’s new moms and families.”

    Assistant Speaker Felix W. Ortiz said, “I welcome additional screening for pregnant women and new mothers, a program I’ve long championed in Albany since I chaired the Mental Health Committee and where I have a bill to mandate this effort statewide. This is a welcome development for our growing communities with so many children and growing families. Healthy mothers lead to healthier families.”

    “I commend First Lady Chirlane McCray for this bold initiative,” said Assembly Member Roxanne Persaud. “Too long has mental health been something discussed only in the shadows. We must provide holistic health for all New Yorkers especially women when they are most vulnerable. The mental health of our mothers is vital to the overall health of the family unit.”

    “This is a tremendous step to making sure that new and expecting moms are getting the care they need,” said Council Member Andrew Cohen. “NYC Health + Hospitals will not only help diagnose women struggling with mental illness, they will break the stigma around maternal depression, which continues to be a barrier to proper treatment.”

    “Becoming a mom is one of the most beautiful and challenging experiences a woman can have,” said Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland. “If a new mother is having difficulty transitioning, she should have the support and education she needs to ensure she can keep herself and her family healthy. I commend the First Lady for yet another valuable investment in the health of women through ThriveNYC. And I look forward to supporting this initiative so that New York City families may continue to grow here.”

    “As co-chair of the City Council Women’s Caucus and a mother, I want to commend NYC Health + Hospitals for including depression screening as part of the care plan for new mothers at all of its hospitals. It’s critical that all new moms get the physical and emotional support they need as soon as possible. Postpartum depression is treatable and should not be stigmatized. NYC HHC is leading the way in adopting a new approach to this not unusual result of childbirth,” said Council Member Helen Rosenthal.

    About NYC Health + Hospitals

    NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation, serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan-all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit

    www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on

    Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthandHospitals or

    Twitter at @NYCHealthSystem.

    About NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull

    NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, a 388- bed, acute care hospital in Brooklyn, has been serving the residents of Williamsburg, Bushwick, Greenpoint, Fort Greene, and Bedford-Stuyvesant for 35 years. Its mission is to provide comprehensive, high-quality care in a culturally sensitive manner to all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay. A part of NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest public health care system in the nation, the hospital is affiliated with the New York University School of Medicine.

     

  • 1 dead as car hits crowd at Times Square

    1 dead as car hits crowd at Times Square

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): A vehicle that ploughed into pedestrians at Times Square in New York City on Thursday, May 18.

    One woman died and 22 others injured when a car ploughed into pedestrians in New York’s busy Times Square today, with authorities saying the driver of the vehicle, a US Navy veteran, has a criminal history and record of drunk driving. Authorities identified the driver as Bronx resident Richard Rojas, 26, who was immediately taken into custody. NY City Mayor Bill de Blasio stressed that there was no indication the incident was an act of terror. He said Rojas is a US citizen and a former navy sailor. He had been arrested twice for drunken driving in 2008 and 2015, and once earlier this month for menacing. The incident that occurred around noon left an 18-year-old dead and 22 injured, who were rushed to local hospitals. Four of them are critical. (Source: PTI)

  • Marine and Navy Helicopter Landing at Eisenhower Park

    Marine and Navy Helicopter Landing at Eisenhower Park

    Navy “Leap Frogs” Parachute Team and Navy/Marine Raid Force Demonstrations Part of 2017 Fleet Week

    MINEOLA, NY (TIP): Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano has announced that Nassau County will once again host a Marine and Navy Helicopter Landing in Eisenhower Park on Saturday, May 27th as part of the “Fleet Week 2017” activities in New York City. The free event, billed “Raid New York” will be the only Marine/Navy helicopter landing on Long Island. Spectators are invited to board the aircraft once landed and meet with military personnel.

    Navy Landing at 10:00 a.m.

    The U.S. Navy Parachute Team, the Leap Frogs, based in San Diego, California will perform an aerial parachute demonstration showcasing the skills of the Naval Special Warfare Team. The team is celebrating their 43rd Anniversary this year. In addition, a combined team of members from the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team (EOD) and a Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron will present a mine countermeasures demonstration. The EOD technicians are stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

    Marine Landing at 12:30 p.m.

    The CH-53 Sea Stallion, MV-22 Osprey and AH-1W Cobras will perform an area sweep and transport a Marine Raid Force to the landing zone. Marines will perform an assault demonstration, after which the helicopters will land and will be available for public display, along with the weapons typically used by a Marine Corps Rifle Platoon. Marines supporting this event are part of a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force from the II Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina.

    The Helicopter Landing will be taking place on the Kite Field, just south of the Veterans Memorial in Eisenhower Park, with parking at field 6A and adjoining parking fields. Please note: New safety regulations have redefined spectator areas, so all are advised to arrive early.

    Northwell Health will also have a presence at the event with displays, vehicles and entertainment and support for participating military personnel.

    At 930 acres, Eisenhower Park is the largest park in Nassau County and is centrally located in East Meadow with entrances at Hempstead Turnpike at East Meadow Avenue and Merrick Avenue at Stewart Avenue.

    For more information about this event, please call (516) 572- 0200 or visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/parks.

     

  • Jaipur Literature Festival arrives in USA

    Jaipur Literature Festival arrives in USA

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Jaipur Literature Festival, the world’s largest literary festival of its kind, will make its mark at a number of literary and art events in USA this fall. The festival has entered into a collaboration with New York based Museum of Modern Art for hosting three art performances during the Fall 2017. These events will be held prior to the three-day Jaipur Literature Festival scheduled to be held in Boulder, CO, from September 15 to17.

    Sanjoy Roy, producer of Jaipur Literature Festival, made this announcement at an event organized by Hindi Sangam Foundation; a New Jersey based educational and cultural organization. The event was held at the Consulate General of India in New York on Tuesday, May 9.

    “Our focus is to make literature in all languages accessible to the common man. More than 60 percent of the JLF audience is comprised of young people, who are empowered by such events. We believe in sharing knowledge democratically. It helps us connect with the younger generation who are capable of bringing social change”, said Roy in his address adding that it was an uphill task to popularize literature through festivals.

    He informed the audience that about 70 authors from Americas, Asia, Africa, and Europe will attend at Boulder, Colorado festival. They will make presentations, readings, lectures and panel discussions. The three-day festival, hosted by the City of Boulder, will take place at the Boulder Public Library, where a number of activities were planned, including talks, readings, musical performances and writing workshops. The topics at Zee JLF at Boulder 2017 will include migration, U.S. gun culture, nature and the environment, Native American rights, yoga and meditation, outdoor adventure, feminism, constitutions and LGBT, Latino, African American and Native American voices.

    “Jaipur Literature Festival, which was launched 17 years ago in Jaipur, attracts thousands of youthful population, is now actively involved in popularizing art and culture in USA”, commented Roy.

    Introducing him to the audience, Ashok Ojha, president of Hindi Sangam Foundation, said that Sanjoy Roy received US President’s Committee of Arts and Humanities Award for an international organization.

    Another spinoff of the Jaipur Literature Festival emerged at the British library in London where 70 eminent authors and thinkers will showcase South Asia’s multilingual literary heritage at a two-day event on May 20 and 21st. Bollywood produced Karan Johar, author Arundhati Subramaniam and Indian MP Shashi Tharoor are among the participants of the British festival along with Amit Chaudhuri, Meera Syal, Prajwal Parajuly and Lila Azam Zanganeh, all of who will participate in panel discussions at the festival while Swapan Dasgupta and Shashi Tharoor will discuss the relationship between Indian and British author.

    Mrs. Purnima Desai, Vice-Chair, Hindi Sangam Foundation welcomed the guests.

     

     

  • ‘OPI Cardholders must register for OCI by end of June’, Consul General Das

    ‘OPI Cardholders must register for OCI by end of June’, Consul General Das

    Ashok Ojha

    NEW YORK CITY (TIP): Addressing media persons Mrs. Das said, “The final date for registration is date for submission of applications for registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of PIO card online has been extended till 30th June. This cutoff date will be only for submission of the applications online by the applicants. A separate online application form for submission of application for registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of PIO card is available in the website https://passport.gov.in/oci/.

    “Explaining many benefits of possessing OCI cards, the Consul General reiterated that OCI card facilitates quicker immigration clearance at the Immigration Check Posts and is helpful obtaining various Consular Services from the Indian Missions.

    Mrs. Das elaborated upon many initiatives undertaken by the Consulate General office for benefits of Indian settlers in USA. She said that the consulate officials were available to address the grievances of the people on issues related to visas, passports and OCI cards at the Open House sessions her office held every fortnight. “The Open House sessions are held at the Consulate on the first Wednesday of every month from 10 AM to 1 PM and on the third Wednesday form 2 PM to 5 PM.” She advised the visitors to Open House to register at least one day in advance for each Open House session by sending e-mail to helpline@indiacgny.org.

    She pointed out that her office was serving as a contact point for Indian businesses that were doing businesses in USA. “The consulate was happy to coordinate with local officials in USA to expedite any matter related with India owned enterprises”, she said.

    Mrs. Das expressed her happiness over the recent induction of India Chair at Rutgers University in New Jersey. “The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Chair of Indian Studies is truly an important milestone, which will strengthen the academic partnership between India and the United States and further the academic cooperation with Indian institutions of higher education”, she commented. The inaugural Chair, Professor Binod Khadria of Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, will serve a one-year appointment in the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations (SMLR).

  • RIP The Evergreen On Screen Mom Reema Lagoo

    RIP The Evergreen On Screen Mom Reema Lagoo

    The nation was left shocked today morning when the news broke that 59-year old actress, Reema Lagoo passed away. The Maine Pyar Kiya star suffered a heart attack last night and was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. However, she passed away at 3 am in the morning today (May 18). With no reports of the actress’ ill health till today, the news stunned all. The news was confirmed by her manager and since then, Twitterati has been mourning her death.

    Reema was one of the best in her league of actors and has done quite a few memorable films in the industry. She was close to many actors and celebrities in Bollywood and hence, several eminent personalities did not believe when they heard about the news. Rishi Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh, Mahesh Bhatt sent out heartfelt condolences on Twitter early in the morning. And now Priyanka, Amitabh and Alia have expressed their shock. See their reaction right here:

    Priyanka Chopra: RIP #ReemaLagoo such a loss to art and cinema. You are and will always be our favourite screen mom. My condolences to the family.

    Amitabh Bachchan: T 2428 – Just heard the shocking and unbelievable news about Reema Lagoo’s passing .. such a fine talent and gone so young ! Very SAD !!

    Alia Bhatt: So so sad to hear about Reema Lagoo ji!Such a phenomenal actor & a lovely warm person! I have always loved & admired her work. Shocked!!

    Arjun Kapoor: #ReemaLagoo ji, you will be hugely missed! Strength and courage to your family and friends. RIP

    Parineeti Chopra: Shocked!!! Reema Lagoo ji was one of the most lovable moms on screen!!! Rest in peace.

    Sidharth Malhotra: Very sad to know about #ReemaLagoo ji passing away, the warmest n most loved mother on screen RIP

    Supriya Pilgaonkar: What an actor ! What grace ! What passion ! Learnt so much from her. May her journey towards light be celebrated RIP Saasu Ma #ReemaLagoo

    Anushka Sharma: Grew up watching d warmth & love #ReemaLagoo ji brought out on screen. Saddened by her sudden demise.Heartfelt condolences to her family…

    Madhuri Dixit-Nene: Saddened. RIP #ReemaLagoo. She radiated talent, beauty and such warmth. She will be missed. Condolences to her family.

    May her soul Rest in Peace. The industry shall miss her.

  • Vijender cuts ties with UK promoters

    Vijender cuts ties with UK promoters

    Vijender cuts ties with UK promoters

    Vijendra Singh

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Vijender Singh has terminated his contract with the UK-based Queensberry Promotions, complaining that the company failed to deliver on its obligations in the last one year. The reigning WBO Asia Pacific champion, who is undefeated so far in his eight-match pro career, will now be promoted solely by IOS Boxing Promotions and will next be seen in action in July.

    Vijender and Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions entered into an agreement in 2015, the year the Indian decided to bid adieu to his amateur career and enter the professional circuit. The first six UK fights were promoted by Queensberry, while the two title fights in India were handled by IOS Boxing Promotions. “I was promised six fights in a year and in the first year, they managed it. But last year, there were two title fights and their involvement was not as much as it should have been. It’s there in the contract that I could walk away if I am not happy. So, I have decided to end it,” said Vijender. “The last two events were handled almost solely by my India promoters. If that is to be the case, then what is the point of carrying on?”

    For the time being, Vijender will continue to train with Manchester based trainer Lee Beard. Source: PTI

     

  • OZ TRIES TO LURE ITS STAR PLAYERS OUT OF IPL

    OZ TRIES TO LURE ITS STAR PLAYERS OUT OF IPL

    OZ TRIES TO LURE ITS STAR PLAYERS

    OUT OF IPL

    SYDNEY: (TIP): Cricket Australia (CA) has made an attempt to lure away its key players from the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) by offering them multi-year central contracts. The Australian players normally get a one-year contract.

    The offer, made to Test captain Steve Smith, vicecaptain
    David Warner and fast bowlers Mitchell
    Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, however,
    got a lukewarm response from the players.

    Howard, CA’s executive general manager of team performance, made the approaches at a time when the governing body and the Australian Cricketers’ Association are in the midst of a dispute over new pay deals for the players.

    The offer, made to Test captain Steve Smith, vice captain David Warner and fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, however, got a lukewarm response from the players. The report said the terms of the multi-year deals, discussed informally with Howard, were regarded as underwhelming by the players — the only incentive for missing IPL being the security of a three-year contract.

    It is believed if CA has to succeed in its move, it has to come up with big cash incentives since Smith and Warner, who captain their IPL franchises, collect more than $1 million a year from the T20 league. Besides, their earning capacity is set to rise sharply following the new IPL broadcast deal. Warner’s retainer with CA is estimated to be worth $2 million but he could earn as much as $10 million in IPL alone over the next three years.

    In view of the hectic international schedule in 2019, which includes an Ashes series and the World Cup, CA apparently want to ensure their players remain fit and have sufficient break to recover before the gruelling international season starts after April and May.

    Source: Agencies

     

  • KINGS XI PUNJAB PIP MUMBAI INDIANS TO STAY IN IPL HUNT

    KINGS XI PUNJAB PIP MUMBAI INDIANS TO STAY IN IPL HUNT

    KINGS XI PUNJAB PIP MUMBAI INDIANS TO STAY IN IPL HUNT

    Wriddhiman Saha’s unbeaten 55-ball 93 powered Kings XI Punjab to 230/3 against Mumbai Indians in an IPL – Indian Premier League 2017 encounter. In reply, MI could score 223/6 in 20 overs.

    MUMBAI (TIP): In a game that swung from one side to the other, Kings XI Punjab came up trumps to record a thrilling seven run win over Mumbai Indians on May 11 (Thursday) and keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2017 IPL playoffs alive.

    Mumbai Indians needed 17 off the final over bowled by Mohit Sharma, and 10 off the last four deliveries. The chances of the former champions reaching the target were good with Kieron Pollard, who had hit a six off the second ball, at the crease. However, Mohit Sharma once again showed his skill at bowling in the death overs as he kept his cool to keep the Trinidadian all-rounder at bay.

    Kings XI Punjab scored a 2017 IPL record 230/3 and restricted Mumbai Indians to 223 for six.

    Wriddhiman Saha struck 11 fours and three sixes in his 55-ball knock of 93, Mumbai Indians vs
    Kings XI Punjab, IPL 2017, Mumbai, May 11.      Photo: BCCI

    STAYING IN TOUCH

    Kings XI Punjab moved to 14 points after the victory at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, just one point behind defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad, who play their last match against Gujarat Lions in Kanpur. Kings XI Punjab’s last match is on Sunday against Rising Pune Supergiant.

    Pollard (50no) would have been disappointed with his effort as at one point, with the help of Hardik Pandya (30) and Karn Sharma (19), had put them on the verge of victory.

    Chasing 231 set by Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians got off to a flying start but lost their way after the powerplay overs and then saw their top-four batsman return to the pavilion with the score at 121 in the 13th over.

    Lendl Simmons (59) and Parthiv Patel (38) gave Mumbai Indians a rollicking start as they started their chase of the season’s highest total. Patel was the first to go but the turning point of the match came in the 10th over when Martin Guptill took a brilliant one handed catch to dismiss Simmons, who was trying to hit another over the boundary, this time off Glenn Maxwell.

    Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma (5) for the fifth time this season fell to a leg-spinner when he holed out at long on off the bowling of Rahul Tewatia while off-colour Nitish Rana (12) followed him soon after.

    SAHA’S HEROICS

    Wriddhiman Saha mixed caution with aggression to score an unbeaten 53-ball 93 and help Kings XI Punjab post the highest score of 2017 IPL.

    Kings XI Punjab scored 230 to overtake the 214 scored by Delhi Daredevils while chasing against Gujarat Lions earlier in the month. The wicketkeeper-batman was the glue the kept the Kings XI Punjab innings together. He shared 50-plus partnerships with Martin Guptill (36), Glenn Maxwell (47) and Shaun Marsh (25) to help Kings XI Punjab post a mammoth total. He stayed at the wicket till the last ball, hitting 11 boundaries and three sixes. While others around him went hammer and tongs, he was given the role of anchoring the innings. While he didn’t boast the same range of shots like his partners, he played to his strengths, playing with a straight bat and taking the occasional risk to go over the top.

    Source: HT

     

  • ZOE SALDANA FEARED BEING TYPECAST

    ZOE SALDANA FEARED BEING TYPECAST

    ZOE SALDANA FEARED BEING TYPECAST

    Actress Zoe Saldana, who plays Gamora in sci-fi thriller ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’, says she once got worried about doing too many sci-fi films as she felt it could harm her career.

    The 38-year-old was initially reluctant to take on ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ because she feared getting typecast in the genre after starring in ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Avatar’.

    “I don’t know how to say no to these filmmakers. First I booked ‘Avatar’, and as I was shooting that, J.J. Abrams was getting ready to do ‘Star Trek’. And those collaborations got the attention of (‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ director) James Gunn,” Saldana told nytimes.com.

    “I really didn’t want to say yes because this was the third sci-fi film I’d be doing, and I was afraid it might not be great for my career. But I got the sense that I would be missing out on something so incredibly special that I said yes,” she added.

  • MARGOT ROBBIE TO STAR IN, PRODUCE ‘DREAMLAND’

    MARGOT ROBBIE TO STAR IN, PRODUCE ‘DREAMLAND’

    MARGOT ROBBIE TO STAR IN, PRODUCE ‘DREAMLAND’

    Actress Margot Robbie is set to star in as well as produce bank robber thriller ‘Dreamland’. The movie will be directed by Sundance winner Miles             Joris- Peyrafitte.

    The 26-year-old actress will produce with her partners at Lucky Chap Entertainment, Tom Ackerley and Josey McNamara, as well as Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Rian Cahill of Automatik. Written by Nicolaas Zwart, the movie is based on a script that appeared on Black List in 2015.

    ‘Dreamland’ is set in the 1930s, amid the devastation of the Dust Bowl. The story follows a 15-year old boy on his quest to capture a fugitive bank robber and collect the bounty on her head, all with the goal with saving his family farm from foreclosure.

    Against all odds, he beats out the FBI and the local police to find her, only to discover that she’s far more than what the authorities claim her to be. Robbie will play the bank robber.

  • EMILY BLUNT TO STAR IN ‘EDGE OF TOMORROW’ SEQUEL

    EMILY BLUNT TO STAR IN ‘EDGE OF TOMORROW’ SEQUEL

    EMILY BLUNT TO STAR IN ‘EDGE OF TOMORROW’ SEQUEL

    Director Doug Liman has confirmed that actress Emily Blunt will return for the sequel of ‘Edge of Tomorrow’, along with Hollywood star Tom Cruise. Blunt, 34, will reprise her role of Special Forces warrior Rita Vrataski in the second installment of the action franchise.

    The film is titled “Live Die Repeat and Repeat” but the release date is still unknown.

    “We have an amazing story! It’s incredible! Way better than the first film, and I obviously loved the first film. It will be called ‘Live Die Repeat and Repeat’.

    “Tom (Cruise) is excited about it, and Emily Blunt is excited about it. The big question is just when we’ll do it. But it’s not an if, it’s a when,” Liman said.

    Source: PTI

  • PARIS HILTON HINTS AT ENGAGEMENT TO ZYLKA

    PARIS HILTON HINTS AT ENGAGEMENT TO ZYLKA

    PARIS HILTON HINTS AT ENGAGEMENT TO ZYLKA

    Paris Hilton has hinted at getting engaged to boyfriend Chris Zylka, said “my mom loves him and definitely approves.”

    The 36-year-old socialite attended the Race to Erase MS Gala at the Beverly Hilton here with her actor beau and the couple could not stop gushing about their romance.

    “We’re soulmates, for sure, 100 per cent,” Paris said, with Zylka noting he wakes up and falls asleep with a smile on his face every day they’re together.

    “(Being soulmates is) just being best friends and finally finding someone that I love and trust and know that I want to spend the rest of my life with, it’s the best feeling in the world,” Hilton said.

    The ‘Leftovers’ star Chris chimed into the conversation hinting at a possible future engagement, noting he has “not yet” proposed to Hilton, but asking for her hand is definitely a possibility.

    “My mom loves him. She definitely approves! She’s so happy. She already said he’s part of the family,” Hilton said.

    Source: PTI

     

  • M O V I E R E V I E W MANTOSTAAN

    M O V I E R E V I E W MANTOSTAAN

    M O V I E  R E V I E W

    MANTOSTAAN

    CAST: Raghuvir Yadav, Veerender Saxena, Sonal Sehgal, Shoib Shah, Raina Bassnet, Rahat Kazmi
    DIRECTION: Rahat Kazmi
    GENRE: Drama
    DURATION: 1 hour 28 minutes

    STORY

    Four fiery short stories about riots, rapes and retribution, set around the Partition and amalgamated into a feature.

    REVIEW

    The conclusion of one of the short films in Mantostaan hits you like a ton of bricks. If you were actually reading Manto, this is the moment when you would look up from the book and take a deep breath to let it sink in. And it’s the wattage of that kind of writing that salvages this adaptation attempt.

    The short with that most impact is Khol Do, the story of a father (Raghuvir Yadav) who accidentally leaves his daughter behind while making his way to Lahore after the Partition. In Assignment, another father-daughter duo (Veerender Saxena, Raina Bassnet) hold fort in Amritsar even as their muslim neighbours flee the country. In Aakhri Salute, a Pakistani soldier (Rahat Kazmi) engages in a friendly banter with his Indian counterpart stationed across the border. And in Thanda Ghosht, a Sikh man (Shoib Shah) with a broken moral compass tries to hide a secret from his girlfriend (Sonal Sehgal).

    The stories run parallel to each other through the runtime of the movie, and while this might have been designed to enhance the effect, one cannot help but wonder whether the shorts would have been more powerful as separate entities, showcased one after the other. The switch from one story to the other is not always smooth and the attempt to connect them is at times too obvious.

    Add to that a cast of mostly inexperienced actors, whose dialogue delivery and acting-school performances often take away from the subtlety of Manto’s work. The pain of the Partition, the urgency of the situation and the sheer fear are lost in translation.

    But as the stories reach their climaxes, the power of the word takes over and every technical detail goes out of the window. These are stories of courage and resilience and heartbreak and the terrible things that terrible situations make people do. And in those final moments, you surrender to the plots.

    Mantostaan seems like the first draft of a potentially unputdownable book. A slightly more experienced filmmaker would have done wonders with it. But in this state, it’s like a decent read with a great epilogue.

     

  • KATRINA OPENS UP ABOUT HER HOLLYWOOD PLANS

    KATRINA OPENS UP ABOUT HER HOLLYWOOD PLANS

    KATRINA OPENS UP ABOUT HER HOLLYWOOD PLANS

    While her contemporaries like Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone are busy heading westward to pursue their Hollywood ambitions, Katrina Kaif says she is very content to work just in Bollywood films. When asked if she’d like to work on a Hollywood project any soon, the actress said that as an actor, she wants to be a part of good films and that Bollywood is her industry; her home, a place that has gifted her with a successful career and much more. However, Katrina was quick to add that if someone does come to her (from Hollywood) with a good offer, she wouldn’t hesitate to do the film. She even cited that English being her first language, it would be an added advantage for her to hear English scripts.

    Kat also listed more reasons for staying put in Bollywood. She said that it would require more steps like getting an agent, manager, building a fan base, which is a painstaking and time consuming process. Katrina quipped that although it would be a lovely experience, she didn’t have the time for it in the foreseeable future.

    Source: TOI

  • PRIYANKA CHOPRA TO CO-PRODUCE A FILM

    PRIYANKA CHOPRA TO CO-PRODUCE A FILM

    PRIYANKA CHOPRA TO CO-PRODUCE A FILM

    Priyanka Chopra who turned producer with a number of regional films ranging from Bhojpuri and Marathi to Sikkimese, Goan and Bengali, is now planning to venture into Hindi film production.

    The 34-year-old-actress wants to co-produce a Hindi drama with her ‘Mary Kom’ producers and the studio that is releasing her Hollywood debut, ‘Baywatch’, in India. Ask her if this is business move and PeeCee retorts, “I think with my heart and not my head. I am instinctive but not impulsive. And money is not the end goal. If it was, I wouldn’t be producing regional films whose reach is limited. It’s so much easier to make money as a Hindi film producer. But we are still a small company and new as producers. We still have a lot to learn.”

    Besides co-producing the film, does Pee Cee plan to contribute to the script? “I’m not that talented. I love writing. I’ve worked with the most talented writers in the world – in Hindi cinema and on Quantico. I don’t have enough knowledge yet, but I am overlooking the screenwriting process,” she says. And what about penning her autobiography? “If I could clone myself I would do a lot more. I’m chasing time!” she chuckles.

    Source: TOI

     

  • THE GETAWAY TO MEET THE OMNIPRESENT

    THE GETAWAY TO MEET THE OMNIPRESENT

    THE GETAWAY TO MEET THE OMNIPRESENT

    Char Dham of Uttarakhand or ChotaChar Dham (small four abodes) is one of the most important Hindu Pilgrimages in India. It comprises of four most holy sites of Uttarakhand, namely – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. When and how these places got linked in a pilgrimage circuit together is not known. Each of the places has its own individual and legendary history. But perhaps it is the greatness and mysticism of each site that has qualified them to form a sacred pilgrimage tour.

    Till 1950s going to the four most sacred sites of Uttarakhand meant embarking on a strenuous journey on foot through the hilly trails. People, like wandering sadhus, and those who could afford to travel with an entourage, were the most likely and regular pilgrims of Chota Char Dham. After the 1962 Indo – China war, India put massive efforts in building means of better connectivity to and infrastructure at border areas. Now the roads could take one till the nearest points of the holy abodes. This encouraged people from other backgrounds (economic or social) to initiate a tour of Char Dham circuit in Himalayas.

    HISTORY OF YAMUNOTRI

    Yamunotri is where the second most holy of river of India, the River Yamuna, takes birth. Situated in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, Yamunotri Dham is the first stop in the pilgrimage. It is believed that bathing in its water cleanses all sins and protects from untimely and painful death. The shrine of Yamunotri is believed to be built in 1839 by the king of Tehri, Naresh Sudarshan Shah. Besides the Yamuna Devi (goddess), the idol of Ganga Devi too is housed in the revered temple. There are many hot water springs near the temple; Surya Kund is the most important among them. Devotees boil rice and potatoes in the kund and accept it as a Prasad of the devi.

    LEGEND

    Yamuna Goddess is believed to be Sun’s daughter and twin sister of Yama (the god of death). It is said that sage Asit Muni lived here and bathed in both Ganga and Yamuna. In his old age, when he was unable to go to Gangotri, a stream of Ganga started to flow across the steam of Yamuna.

    HISTORY OF GANGOTRI

    Gangotri Dham is dedicated to Goddess Ganga, who is said to have descended on earth to absolve the sins of human kind. The river originates at Gaumukh from the Gangotri glacier which is some 18 km from the town of Gangotri. Situated in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, the original temple of Gangotri was built by by Amar Singh Thapa, a Gurkha general, in the early 19th century.

    LEGEND

    King Sagar undertook an Ashwamedha Yagna and sent his 60,000 sons along with the horse. The horse was lost; tracing the horse to the Sage Kapila’s ashram, the 60,000 sons stormed the ashram and disturbed sage who was in deep meditation. Enraged Kapila opened his fiery eyes that turned all 60,000 sons into ashes. Later, on Kapila’s advice, Anshuman (Sagar’s grandson) started praying to Goddess Ganga, requesting her to come down to earth to cleanse the ashes of his relatives and grant salvation to them. Anshuman failed in his aim; it was his grandson Bhagirath whose rigorous meditation made Ganga to come down to earth. Lord Shiva tied Ganga and distributed its water in a number of streams to save the earth from its mighty force.

    HISTORY OF KEDARNATH

    Situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath is the most remote pilgrimage spot in the yatra. It is believed that originally the temple of Kedarnath was built by Pandavas. And Adi Shankaracharya got the present structure constructed in the 8th century adjacent to the old temple site. The grey stone structure is an architectural marvel because of its imposing design and its ability to survive for so many centuries in such a harsh terrain.

    LEGEND

    Pandavas were searching for Lord Shiva to absolve themselves from their sins committed at the battlefield of Mahabharata. Lord Shiva was in no mood to forgive them so easily, so he converted himself into a bull and went to Garhwal side of Uttarakhand. On being found by the Pandavas, he dived into the ground. Different parts of the Lord came up at different parts – hump at Kedarnath, arms at Tunganath, navel at Madhya-Maheshwar, face at Rudranath and hair emerged at Kalpeshwar. Taken together, these five sites are known as Panch-kedar. Pandavas got temples made at each of the five places.

    HISTORY OF BADRINATH

    Badrinath is considered one of the most holy places in Hindu religion. One of the 108 Divya Desams, Badrinath temple is part of both Char Dham and Chota Char Dham. Adi Shankaracharya found the idol of Lord Badri in Alaknanda River and put it up in a cave near the Tapt Kund. In 16th century, a Garhwal King got the temple erected, which has been renovated many times as a result of natural calamities. Sandwiched between Nar and Narayan peaks, the beauty of Badrinath Dham is further enhanced with the glorious background of Neelkanth peak.

    LEGEND

    As per one of the legends, the indulgent lifestyle of Lord Vishnu was criticised by a sage, after which Vishnu went to meditate as an act of penance, over here. Goddess Laxmi (his wife) became a berry tree to shade him from the sun and other harsh elements of nature. Another divine tale states that Badrinath used to be the realm of Shiva. Vishnu tricked Shiva into leaving the site and established himself instead.

     

  • Infosys to layoff employees for ‘non-performance’

    Infosys to layoff employees for ‘non-performance’

    Infosys to layoff employees for                      ‘non-performance’

    BENGALURU (TIP): Infosys is likely to “fire” an unspecified number of its employees for “non-performance”, over a week after announcing on May 2 that it would hire 10,000 Americans in the US, said the global software major.

    “A continued low feedback on performance could lead to certain performance actions, including separation of an individual,” said the city-based company in a statement.

    As a bi-annual exercise, the IT major’smanagement would make performance assessments of its employees, keeping in view the business goals set for individuals.

    Though the outsourcing firm declined to mention how many pink slips it would hand out, sources said they could be in hundreds at middle and senior levels, working in its development centres across the country and a few in its overseas offices or subsidiaries.

     The proposed sacking by the troubled company follows similar layoff moves by rivals Wipro, TCS and Congnizant to right size their human resources and reduce cost of operations in a tough environment, with disruptive technologies and declining IT spend by enterprises worldwide due to sluggish economy.

    The US-based Cognizant of Indian promoters last week announced a voluntary separation programme to some of its top-level executives, including directors, associate vice-presidents and senior vice-presidents with a “golden handshake”. Rival Wipro too sacked about 600-700 employees during the fiscal 2016-17, ostensibly for non-performance or not rising to its expectations.

     

  • I-T Dept launches new facility to link PAN with Aadhaar

    I-T Dept launches new facility to link PAN with Aadhaar

    I-T Dept launches new facility to link PAN with Aadhaar

    NEW DELHI (TIP): The Income Tax Department has launched a new e-facility to allow a taxpayer link in “easy” steps one’s Aadhaar and Permanent Account Number (PAN), a mandatory requirement for filing IT returns now.

    An official statement said responding to grievances of taxpayers regarding difficulties in linking PAN with Aadhaar as their names did not match in both systems (for instance names with initials in one and expanded initials in another), the I-T Department has come out with a new arrangement.

    The department’s e-filing website — https:// incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/ — now has a new link on its homepage for connecting the two unique identities of a taxpayer. The link requires a person to punch in his PAN number, Aadhaar number and the “exact” name as mentioned on the Aadhaar card. “After verification from the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India), the linking will be confirmed.

    In case of any minor mismatch in Aadhaar name provided by the taxpayer as compared to the actual data in Aadhaar, a One Time Password (Aadhaar OTP) will be sent to the mobile registered with Aadhaar.

    Taxpayers have been asked to ensure that the date of birth and gender in PAN and Aadhaar are exactly the same. In a rare case where Aadhaar name is completely different from name in PAN, then the linking will fail and taxpayer will be asked to change the name in either Aadhaar or in PAN database.

    There is no need to login or be registered on e-filing website. This facility can be used by anyone to link their Aadhaar with PAN. This facility is also available after login on the e-filing website under Profile settings and where the taxpayer has to choose Aadhaar linking.

  • APPLE MAY DROP IPHONE SE PRICE, SELL IPHONE 5S FOR JUST RS 15,000

    APPLE MAY DROP IPHONE SE PRICE, SELL IPHONE 5S FOR JUST RS 15,000

    APPLE MAY DROP IPHONE SE PRICE, SELL IPHONE 5S FOR JUST RS 15,000: REPORT

    You may soon be able to buy the iPhone 5S for as less as Rs 15,000 courtesy a planned price drop by Apple to boost its sales figure in India.

    According to a Economic Times report that quoted three industry executives, Apple may price the four-year-old iPhone 5s around Rs 15,000 per unit — a Rs 3,000 drop from Rs 18,000 — as part of an online-exclusive retailing strategy.

    The officials said that the company’s distributors have already informed the brick-and-mortar cellphone stores that iPhone 5S supplies will be eased out, and that the model would be sold only online – at an aggressive price point.

    They also hinted that the iPhone SE will become the entry handset for offline retail in India for Apple, carrying a price tag of Rs 20,000.

    The alleged strategy decision from Apple comes at a time when iPhone sales are slowing down in China — the company’s biggest market outside US. One of the officials pointed out that the Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 category has expanded 158% and hence Apple wants more market share in that segment.

    iPhone SE too will operate in that price bracket in phases through cashback offers, one of the officials said. “The company will have a 10-12% pricing advantage for iPhone SE once it starts assembling it in India by next month,” he was quoted as saying.

  • SNAPCHAT’S GROWTH STALLS IN FACEBOOK’S SHADOW IN 1Q REPORT

    SNAPCHAT’S GROWTH STALLS IN FACEBOOK’S SHADOW IN 1Q REPORT

    SNAPCHAT’S GROWTH STALLS IN FACEBOOK’S SHADOW IN 1Q REPORT

    Facebook has been bent on copying Snapchat ever since the social media giant tried unsuccessfully in 2013 to buy what was then an ephemeral photo-messaging app.

    Now, the company behind Snapchat is hoping to copy some of its larger rival’s own practices, at least with respect to courting new users — and, with them, advertisers. But it’s not going so well.

    On May 10, Snap Inc. announced a massive loss and a continued slowdown in user growth, while revenue fell below Wall Street’s expectations in its first earnings report as a public company. Just a week earlier, Facebook posted double-digit revenue growth for the first quarter — much as it has consistently since its initial public offering in 2012. Snapchat reported 166 million daily active users in the latest quarter, an increase of just 36 percent from a year earlier. In its first post-IPO report in 2012, Facebook also disappointed investors when its daily user base grew by only 32 percent. But at that point, Facebook had 552 million regular users, more than three times as many as Snapchat.

    Where the money went

    Almost $2 billion of Snap’s $2.2 billionloss in the January-March period involved stock compensation costs related to the company’s initial offering. Facebook had similar costs of roughly $1.3 billion. But Facebook’s revenue was $1.18 billion in its first quarter as a public company. Although Snap’s revenue nearly quadrupled in the latest quarter, it only rose to $150 million. And that still undershot the $158 million analysts polled by FactSet had expected. Snap’s stock fell $5.50, or 24 percent, to $17.48 in after-hours trading.

    Copycats

    Growth in Snapchat’s user base began to slow down last year after Facebook’s Instagram copied Snapchat’s “stories” feature, which lets users post short video clips that disappear after 24 hours. Not to miss out on the trend, Facebook also launched disappearing stories this year.

    And let’s not forget about WhatsApp, the Facebook-owned messaging service that came out with “status,” which lets people post photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. See a trend here?

    All about the messaging

    Matt Britton, CEO of social media marketing company Crowdtap and an expert on millennials, believes Snapchat has “gotten ahead of itself” in pushing out new features, when what it does best — and what it’s most used for — is one – on- one messaging.

    “If you ask any teen how they use Snapchat, (most) say they use it to text people,” Britton said. He said he’s seen a lot of teens replace the telephone icon at the bottom of their phones’ most-used apps with the Snapchat app. Why call when you can snap, after all?

    Not a social network

    Snapchat’s Stanford-dropout CEO, Evan Spiegel, has long insisted that his company is not a social network but a “camera company.” Unlike Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, Snapchat isn’t connecting networks of people. You could use it with just one other person, if you wanted.

    Britton sees challenges for Snapchat’s non-messaging features, such as stories and a “discover” option that lets users keep up with news, sports or celebrities. These features aren’t what many users go to Snapchat for.

    Snapchat, like Facebook, is also experimenting with augmented reality, a blending of the virtual and physical worlds, but it’s still hard to tell how that will make money or have broad appeal.

    In Wednesday’s conference call with analysts, Spiegel sought again to distance Snapchat from the likes of Facebook, pointing out that its main focus was not to get as many users to sign up as possible.

    “If we had just in the beginning encouraged snapchatters to add all their friends in (their) contact book instead of just few of them, they might be really uncomfortable creating snaps and adding them to their stories,” he said, according to a transcript of the call.

    Source: AP

     

     

  • CYCLE TO WORK AND LOWER THE RISK OF CANCER, HEART DISEASES

    CYCLE TO WORK AND LOWER THE RISK OF CANCER, HEART DISEASES

    CYCLE TO WORK AND LOWER THE RISK OF CANCER, HEART DISEASES

    People who cycle to work have a substantially lower risk of developing cancer or heart disease or dying prematurely, and governments should do all they can to encourage more active commuting, scientists said. In a study published in the BMJ British medical journal, the researchers found that cycling to work was linked to the most significant health benefits — including a 45% lower risk of developing cancer and a 46% lower risk of heart disease compared to non-active commuters.

    Walking to work was linked to a 27% lower risk of developing heart disease and a 36% lower risk of dying from it, though it also appeared to have no effect on cancer risk or overall premature death risk, the study showed.

    The research involved 264,377 people with an average age of 53 whose data forms part of the UK Biobank — a database of biological information from half a million British adults.

    Since the study was observational, no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, the researchers said. Its findings could also be affected by some confounding factors, they added, including that the mode and distance of commuting was self-reported, rather than objectively measured.

    However, “the findings, if causal, suggest population health may be improved by policies that increase active commuting, particularly cycling”, they said.

    These would include creating more cycle lanes, introducing more bike buying or hiring schemes, and providing better access for cyclists on public transport.

    Lars Bo Andersen, a professor at the Western Norwegian University of Applied Sciences, who was not directly involved in the research but wrote a commentary on it in the BMJ, said its findings “are a clear call for political action on active commuting”, saying this had the potential to significantly improve public health by reducing rates of chronic disease.

    “A shift from cars to more active modes of travel will also decrease traffic in congested city centres and help reduce air pollution, with further benefits for health,” he said.

     

  • FOODS TO NIX THE PERIOD PAIN

    FOODS TO NIX THE PERIOD PAIN

    FOODS TO NIX THE PERIOD PAIN

    You know it is that time of the month when you see-saw between fluctuating hormones, water-retention, bloating, cramping, cravings, and mood swings. It’s certainly not one of the best times of the month for a woman. It’s a well documented fact that Premenstrual Symptoms (PMS) have disrupted diets. Remember the time when you’ve caught yourself raiding the fridge at odd hours? During your monthly cycle you can optimise your energy levels, and have a better handle over your mood swings. All you need to do is follow a healthy balanced diet, or simply eat correctly. Devika Prakash, dietician-nutritionist, suggests, “Keep it simple and get back to basics. All you need to do is eat a balanced diet every day (get all your food groups in every day), eat fruits and vegetables with as many meals as possible, get a variety within each food group—enjoy the seasonal headliner or shop for frozen foods that are picked at their prime to get a variety of vitamins and minerals daily.” She adds, “To prevent, and cope with PMS symptoms, replace seriously unhealthy cravings with these seven healthy foods by adding them to your diet to consume the adequate amount of nutrients needed.”

    Spinach

    Spinach delivers a megaload of magnesium. Just one leafy cup provides 40 percent of your daily value—so try subbing it for lettuce on sandwiches and salads. Or whip up a hot side of wilted spinach to pair with your next PMS-busting dinner.

    Oranges

    Studies indicate that women who get a larger amount of calcium and vitamin D experience less intense PMS symptoms. Why? Calcium reduces depressive and anxious feelings in the brain while vitamin D regulates the enzyme that converts tryptophan into serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate moods. You can also try yoghurt, which also contains live cultures to promote healthy digestion.

    Almonds

    It’s especially important during your period to get enough lean protein and fibre, which help even your blood sugar, therefore reducing cravings for the no-no stuff. Try some almonds or even a pear when the mid-afternoon cravings begin!

    Whole wheat

    Whole grains are filled with health benefits. They’re an excellent source of magnesium, which helps to reduce muscle tension, and have Vitamins B and E that chase away the fatigue and depression.

    Ginger-honey tea

    Got nausea and bloating? Care for a cuppa ginger-honey tea? If you’re not a ginger-honey person, then a pot of chamomile tea is good for you! Tea is known to relieve muscle spasms and reduce tension that leads to anxiety and irritability.

     

     

  • WHY YOU ARE NOT LOSING WEIGH?

    WHY YOU ARE NOT LOSING WEIGH?

    WHY YOU ARE NOT LOSING WEIGH?

    So you have been spending hours at the gym, and religiously trying out every diet you read about, but still not losing weight? Sometimes, the reason behind this could be as simple as not keeping track of what you are eating, even if it’s diet food. Here are a few reasons why you may not be shedding those pounds.

    Losing it without realising it

    It is quite common to see the scale reflect the same weight for a few days or weeks. However, that doesn’t mean you aren’t losing fat. Body weight keeps fluctuating because of factors like the food that you eat, hormones or water retention. Besides, it is possible to gain muscle at the same time as you lose fat. Use something other than the scale to gauge your progress. For example, measure your waist circumference and get your body fat percentage measured once a month. Also, how well your clothes fit and how you look in the mirror can be very telling.

    Not eating enough protein

    Protein is extremely important if you are looking to lose weight. If the amount of protein you consume is 25 to30 per cent of your total calorie intake, then you can boost your metabolism by 80 to 100 calories per day. Proteins also drastically reduce cravings and help prevent slowdown in metabolism and weight regain.

    Drinking sugar

    Sugary beverages are at the top of the list when it comes to reasons behind weight gain. Our brains don’t compensate for the calories in them by making us eat less of other foods. But even if you have given up on colas and diet sodas, you can still gain weight from fruit juices or vitamin water, which are loaded with sugar. Instead, have whole fruits.

    Consuming too many calories

    You need to keep a track of the amount of calories you are consuming, even if it is healthy food that forms a part of your diet. Keep a calorie calculator handy and figure out how many calories you need to eat. Tracking also helps if you are trying to reach a certain nutrient goal, like getting 30 per cent of your calories from protein. But don’t track calories like a hawk, do it for a few days to find out your consumption, and then adjust accordingly.

    Not lifting weights

    Lifting weights help you build muscle mass, which is often burned along with body fat if you are not exercising. Resistance training like weight lifting helps prevent metabolic slowdown, and also helps the body burn calories even when at rest.

     

     

  • F O O D C O R N E R – PEPPER ROAST CHICKEN

    F O O D C O R N E R – PEPPER ROAST CHICKEN

    PEPPER ROAST CHICKEN

    INGREDIENTS

    Eight chicken thighs, 1 teaspoon black pepper,1 teaspoon coriander powder, salt as required, 20 curry leaves,1/2 teaspoon black mustard seeds,1 teaspoon tamarind extract, 1 tablespoon finely chopped curry leaves,4 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, 1 teaspoon turmeric,2 cloves minced garlic,2 sliced green chilli, 1 medium chopped onion,1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves.

    1. Preheat oven to 420F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. In large mixing bowl combine chicken, 2 tbsp oil,1/2 tsp of black pepper, turmeric, cumin and coriander.
    2. Add salt to taste, half of the garlic, ginger and curry leaves. Mix well, cover and marinate in refrigerator for 1/2 hour.
    3. To cook chicken, spread it in a single layer on baking tray, scraping up all the marinade over it. Oven roast for 20 minutes or until lightly browned and crisped.
    4. Warm remaining oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter for 30 seconds. Add remaining garlic, ginger, curry leaves and saute for 1 minute.
    5. Now add onions and saute for 5-7 minutes or until they are softened and lightly browned. Add remaining  turmeric, black pepper, cumin and coriander as well as more salt if necessary. Cook for a minute or so.
    6. Mix in the tamarind extract or lemon juice, water and chicken with all it’s juices. Reduce heat to low and cook covered for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    7. The sauce should be very thick and clingy at this point. Fold in the fresh coriander, slivered curry leaves and fresh sliced chili. Serve hot.