My best friend’s wedding

As I stepped out of my taxi and looked up, I beheld a grand mansion that stood tall in its splendor and was adorned to the hilt with thick strings of flowers, sparkling drapes and mesmerising lights. The flirtatious smell of fun, frolic and festivities soared high in the air. Little girls draped in colourful chaniya-cholis ran from one end of the courtyard to the other, giggling naively along the way. Young men carrying baskets of marigolds passed by, throwing occasional furtive glances at the younger ladies in the gathering who responded by flickering the furrows of their lips. In the middle of this grand conglomeration sat my best friend Raamya – the bride, getting mehendi applied on her palms; it was her wedding day!

If I were a man, I wouldn’t hesitate to describe Raamya, in Wordsworth’s parlance, as a ‘phantom of delight’. One look at her and fifteen years that we had spent together talking about our wedding day, finding the perfect man, the colours and details of our trousseau, et al, flashed past my mind screen. Lost in her thoughts, she looked coy and nervous, her right thumb fumbling the embroidery of her crimson lehnga. Finally, as if waking up from her thoughts, she spotted me. “Pallo!” she screamed in glee. I rushed towards her and hugged her tight. A petite tear-drop bordered her large kohl eye, and then, began a relay of unstoppable laughter. I wonder if this is how all friends meet after intermittent periods of separation! Before we could collect our thoughts, someone signaled the arrival of the groom and his baraat.

The holy fire at the canopy gleamed with majestic yellows, oranges and reds, casting its glowing effect on the bride and the groom-to-be who sat hand on hand, performing their marriage rites. Raamya looked regal – the marigolds and jasmine tucked in her hair and her bejewelled stance adding to the elegance. Then began the pheras or the seven auspiscious rounds. As Raamya sauntered graciously behind her groom, carefully listening to each duty that she had to abide by as a wife, memories of our little jokes about what we would make our husbands do sprouted in my mind. The ironical idea must have brought an impish smile on my face, or so I thought, since Raamya looked at me at that very moment and seemed to smile back in agreement. That’s called telepathy between best friends!

Finally, it was time for Raamya’s vidaai or departure with her groom. A beautiful horse carriage decked with ruby-roses and a silky parasol appeared. Raamya’s groom, a handsome young man, held out his hand for his new bride. It was an emotional high point. While the bride’s family was morose at the idea of parting with their daughter, the groom’s side looked peachy to welcome its new daughter-in-law. In this sea of mixed feelings stood my best friend and I. We had, since childhood, spun stories and woven dreams of our wedding day. But the idea of parting had never struck us. Suddenly it was upon us. We hugged each other, in happiness and sadness, all at once. But she looked contented and I was extremely happy for her.

“Good luck darling! I know you’ll make a fantastic wife.” I whispered in her ear.
“Hey, my turn to attend my best friend’s wedding next!” she replied.

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How ‘Well’ Do You Do?

Just when you think you were doing your best to make ends meet, somebody moved the ends! Life is tough between paying bills, buying a house, paying off debt, providing food and clothing and not to forget all that jazz comprising the paraphernalia of our modern day living. Controlling your expenditure, managing your debt and a wee bit of judicious financial planning today can pave the way for realizing your long-term financial goals, be it paying off your credit cards, saving for a special abroad trip, or financing your child's education.

Wondering where all the money disappears within the first week of pay day? Of course, you squander it! It is a natural tendency to spend more than we earn, thanks to all the credit cards that have secured their permanent seats in our wallets, various easy-loan schemes and pay-in-installment facilities. Month-end catches us in a sticky situation. Our tentative financial planning goes for a toss and the mounting bills put a large semi-colon in our ambition to save money for the down-payment of our dream apartment in the posh high-rise. Medical emergencies compel us to scrounge money from children’s funds and daughter’s marriage forces us let go of our dream holiday we’ve been saving for a decade.

Financial planning is undoubtedly very crucial in life. Early planning can save you from a lot of financial impediments at a later stage. That said, saving money should be fun, not a bog-down! Do you want it to be easy? Here are some fair-weather tips on how to be financially disciplined and happy.

Start budgeting: You have a fixed income and mostly a fixed monthly expense. Start setting aside money for bigger investments and purchases like house down payment, sudden medical emergencies and retirement. The remainder is your disposable income. Have a budget and plan your lifestyle accordingly.

Understand your credit report: It is important to know where you stand. Hence, acquire a thorough understanding of your credit report and free yourself from debt in a planned way.
Pay time on time: Pay your bills on time. Thanks to online banking options, paying bills has become convenient and quick. Set up reminders if you have multiple accounts. Remember, the payment dates and ensure you have enough funds in your account so that you don’t end up paying off hefty fine amounts.

Pay down your debt: High EMIs are a pain and you don’t really want to pay double the money, unnecessarily. Think over your plans. Save enough money for bigger down payments so that you do not need to let go off whopping amounts as monthly installments later.

Have short term financial goals: Determine your short term goals – major expenses, savings, pay-offs and also the amount you need to keep aside every month. Stick to them. You will be amazed at the amount of money you save at the end of the term.

Collect and use coupons: That’s what they are for! Collect all discount coupons. Organize them by store name, expiry date, and value used etc .and take them along when you are out shopping next. Trust us, coupons help you save big, big money!

Shop at discount stores: Why spend a fortune for something that is available at half the price? Make a shopping list and hit the stores that offer discounts.

Organize all your financial documents: Create a file folder for all your expenses, insurance, assets, income and liabilities. In this folders put everything associated to that file – rent papers, fuel, electricity and grocery bills, taxation papers, et al and determine how much you spend in each category monthly. Create a balance sheet with your incomes in one column and expenditure in another. This practice will give you a clearer idea about where all your money actually goes and how do you need to balance the income-expenditure equation!

Find fun ways to reduce costs: Watch matinee show movies. Stay fit; cut on (or lessen) dine-outs. Spend quality time with family over coffee at home instead of at a coffee shop. Most importantly, remember to leave your credit cards at home.

Follow the 3Rs: The 3Rs stand for risk evaluation, risk assessment and risk management. Consider worst-case scenarios and have a back-up plan. What possible difficulties may arise while inheriting wealth, planning your finances, an accident or in the case of an unexpected turmoil? Develop management strategies to handle all the implications of a risk that may hamper your finance management plan.

Stop visiting convenience stores: Convenience stores are a myth. Convenience equals to inflated costs. Mineral water costing Rs. 13 at a local store costs Rs. 20 at a convenience store.

Get into a plan: Do you really need all that you are paying for? Start availing plans instead of paying higher charge for ‘unlimited benefits’ that you would never avail. Cell phone and internet are a case in point. Similarly, if you have a magazine that you buy fairly regularly, subscribe to it. Paying a one-time annual subscription fee will be more cost effective. Don’t carry all your money in your wallet or purse because you will end up spending all of it. Take as little money as possible. Sometimes it helps just to take change rather than notes.

Do away with credit cards: Okay, just keep one credit card! They are evil enticers that only egg you on to spend more and more money only to leave banks and credit card companies feast on whatever little remains in your coffers. Moreover, paying in cash makes you realize that you are really parting with your money and thus keeps a tab on your expenditure.

There is nothing that you ‘must have now’: Shopping is addictive (remember the movie, I am a shopaholic?). While it makes you feel good, it brings along the evils of debt, having to borrow from friends and 'buyer's remorse'. Stop spending money mindlessly. There is nothing that you can’t do without.

Whenever you get money, hoard it all away: If that seems unreasonable, put at least a part of it away for future use and make sure you don’t use it. It’s like keeping money in a piggy-bank. When you break the piggy-bank, you’ll be amazed at and proud of your savings!
Don't borrow money from friends and close or distant family for money: Money matters and personal debts, especially with family or friends are pressurizing more than anything else. You don’t want to perturb the close relationship you share with your near and dear ones. Unable to return the borrowed amount would only result to a show-down.

Stay in control. Do not give in to the temptation to spend. Spending more than required does not reflect your status; it only empties your pockets. So stay in control and do not brag about your spending ability. You’ll reap the benefit later on in life.

For an achiever, the sky is the limit. However, in the parlance of financial planning and security, it is wiser to have realistic goals. Take care of all the implications that your financial decisions will have in your life. Start early instead of waiting till you near your retirement age. Do not bank solely upon your investments to give your financial benefits; investments do not fall in the purview of financial planning. Be in-charge of your money and monitor it at every step of your life. Financial security is your safest bargain to survive in this unpredictable world.

Lastly, if you hit a milestone in your goal to save enough money to realize your long term goals do not go on a crazy spending spree and blow all of it to celebrate your accomplishment.

Reiki Unraveled

Thousands of years ago, ancient sages had developed a deep understanding of the nature of spirit, energy and matter. They used this knowledge to attain a state of equilibrium where the body and the mind were in perfect harmony. To be the vessel of this harmony, a practitioner needed to be in perfect synch with the universal life force. This universal life force energy was called ‘Chi’, in Chinese medicine and ‘prana’ in the Hindu Upanishads. The Japanese referred to it as Reiki.

With a view to unravel the routes of Reiki, I have compiled below

essential information about this ancient art of spiritual healing that leads us all to a state of harmony with ourselves and the divine.

Reiki, founded by Dr. Mikao Usui, is the quaint Japanese technique of reducing stress, relaxation and healing. Comprised of two Japanese words, rei which means God’s wisdom and ki which means life force energy, Reiki is founded on the idea of a hidden ‘life force energy’ streaming through us and causing us to be alive. The dipping of one’s ‘life force energy’ beyond its normal level causes one to feel ill and stressed while higher levels is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. This gentle, non invasive process of healing is administered through the laying of hands to balance the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual problems in one’s life and leads to personal and spiritual growth. Reiki is a holistic alternate healing process that creates a glowing radiance to flow through and around one’s body and treats the body, emotions, mind and spirit thereby creating many positive effects like relaxation, feelings of peace, security and general wellbeing. This spiritual healing and self-improvement process is known to have cured many a maladies and well-known illnesses through a combination with other medical and therapeutic practices and has led to miraculous recoveries.
How does it heal?

Reiki practitioners place their hands above a person’s energy centers with an intent to heal. This energy, which has an intelligence of its own, begins to flow and in the process accelerates the body’s own ability to heal. The energy is not harmful. The Reiki practitioners merely act as a channel to leverage this energy. Reiki releases the various obstructions within one’s physical, mental and emotional states that create unbalance in energy fields and result in unhappiness and illness. The release of these obstructions paves way for the natural energy to flow on its course, thwart toxins and waste products. Once these obstructions are removed, an individual’s ability to hold, store and replenish energy increases too.

Reiki treatments are unique, just like the individuals experiencing them. They may lead to feeling of heat, tickling or nothing at all, depending upon the specific problem of the individual and the way his/her energy flows. However, it is a slow process of healing and may show improvements over a period of time. One can use it on family, friends and even pets.

While Reiki calms one down, it also teaches one to approach difficult situations in a calm and relaxed manner. It motivates individuals to disown their negative thoughts and helps in building greater degrees of self-awareness. This in turn generates greater love for self and others. Its sole purpose is to help people realize that it is only through self improvement that they can really heal their spirit. In order for the Reiki healing energies to have lasting results, individuals must acknowledge their responsibility towards the healing and take an active part in it. These ideals are not only guidelines for living a gracious life but also merits worthy of practice for their intrinsic value.

Remote Healing
Reiki healing aces over other types of hands-on healing techniques because the Reiki energy can be transmitted from the healer to the recipient not only through actual physical touch but also through distance. Highly developed Reiki practitioners, during typical cases of remote Reiki treatments, are able to send healing energies from a distance, without the physical presence of the recipient.

The Benefits of Reiki
• Accentuates inner peace, mental clarity, personal growth as well as emotional stability.
• Supports calmness, removes obstructive blockades and promotes relaxation.
• Reduces stress, tension, anxiety, uneasiness and depression.
• Cures chronic pain, insomnia, lack of self-image, awareness and confidence, addiction to drugs and fear-based ailments.
• Detoxifies the body.
• Cures most diseases like asthma, allergy, arthritis, back pain, blood pressure, cold, diabetes, gastric ulcer, hepatitis, menstrual problems, migraines, scleroderma, sinusitis, and spondylitis, etc.
• Induces new energy in the form of the healing ‘universal life energy’.
• Goes together with medical treatment.
• Promotes creativity.
• Accelerates vitality and energy levels in the body.
• Strengthens the immune system.
• Releases suppressed feelings.
• Purifies the body, aura, and chakras by changing the frequency of body energy and promoting triggering healing beginning on a physical level, followed by the emotional level and finally the spiritual.
• Makes one’s life more comfortable and less prone to anxiety.

Learning Reiki
Reiki is a simple technique to learn and does not depend on one’s intellectual caliber or spiritual inclination. However, it cannot be learnt in the usual way and is generally passed on during an ‘attunement’ imparted by a Reiki master that allows a student to tap an unlimited supply of ‘life force energy’ and improve one's health and enhance the quality of life. Reiki promotes harmony with self and others too.

Reiki courses are very popular and this method of spiritual healing is taught almost everywhere. The ways and prices of the courses vary depending on how a Reiki master has been taught. Students report momentous and reflective shifts in awareness and understanding of the process of healing during and after a course. Reiki healing is fast being accepted in mainstream healthcare settings such as hospitals, operation and surgeries, recovery rooms, nursing homes and even spas. In fact, it is believed that plants respond to Reiki too!

‘Attunements’ in Learning

The Reiki ‘attunement’ is a powerful healing and spiritual experience and is said to increase one’s psychic ability. Individuals aspiring to become Reiki practioners are initiated either individually or in group settings, depending on the courses offered. Reiki attunements open up the energy pathways to facilitate the smooth flow of more life force energy through the body. Some recipients report a mystical experience while others claim that they feel visions, colours and sensations; still others feel nothing at all. Every individual’s Reiki attunement is unique, quite like his/her caliber and life force energy. Since every individual is at a different spiritual path while receiving the attunement, it is but expected that the amount of energy they receive entirely depends upon their capability to receive that amount at that particular point of time in life. Once attuned, this energy is never lost.

Attunement raises our body’s vibration level to match the level of energy added during the attunement. One’s body needs to adjust to this sudden increase in vibration and there are chances that one may have a temporary or mild physical or emotional reaction and need to go through a cleansing process.

Negativity in life, stress, anxiety, unhealthy living conditions, improper food, chemicals and toxins in the body and the atmosphere around a person greatly influence the attunement process and result in slower than average vibration level. Recipients may suffer from a feeling of belittlement during attunement or Reiki healing. Therefore, they must work their way out and above these negative elements and achieve their healing awareness.

Reiki is not an occult or a psychic practice. It is a blend of spiritual and energy healing techniques. In fact if you were to look at the five Reiki principles, outlined by its Japanese founder Mikao Usui, it comes across as a highly practical and deeply humanistic way of life.
The 5 guiding principles that Reiki teachers and practitioners abide by translate into something like this:
• Just for today, I will not worry
• Just for today, I will not be angry
• Just for today, I will give thanks for my many blessings
• Just for today, I will do my work honestly
• Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing

Delightfully simple, isn't it? We hope these principles reverberate inside you and replenish you with your life force energy and transform your life with its profound power.

Care for Your Car

It is a well-established fact that NCR boasts of more cars on its roads than pedestrians. Buying and driving cars comes as naturally to us as breathing, so much so that often a family houses more cars than the number of inhabitants! The tendency to acquire newer models and machines with latest technology is on the rise. However, a car with superb features and elegant style requires a good amount of maintenance too. Here are a few easy tips that will ensure that your ‘baby’ does not suffer from frequent breakdowns and runs smoothly to give you a joyful ride, every single time you are behind the wheels.

Buying your dream machine certainly calls for investments of various sorts. But once acquired, how much do you really care about its regular maintenance? Besides the regular car servicing, washing and shielding it from extreme weather conditions, here are a few vital maintenance tips that will ensure that your car outlives your expectations, both in terms of years and optimum performance.

1. Check engine oil
The engine is the soul of the car. It is no fallacy that the actual performance of a car largely depends upon the engine oil. The decrease in oil levels can easily be monitored through the indicator. Do not take a toll on your car’s life; do not be over confident of its performance either. For a long, smooth journey and effective engine performance it is crucial that you check the engine oil level at a regular interval of 10 to 15 days, irrespective of your usage of the machine. To check the oil, park on level ground and wait until the engine has cooled down. Locate the dipstick. Pull it out, clean it and push it all the way back in until its top is sealed back in the dip tube. Wait for a few seconds and pull it back again. Check the oil level. A marking between high and low indicates that you are good to go.

2. Check brakes
The security aspect of driving your dream car cannot be neglected. Brake-failures are common and may cost you your life. Therefore a few important factors need to be paid utmost attention to in order to ensure that your car runs at your will. Check if the brake pedal is too soft owing to a small quantity of brake fluid and whether it squeaks when pressed. The accumulation of dust further produces undesirable sounds when the brakes are applied. Clean brake dust regularly with a damp sponge or clean water as they contain all sorts of harmful stuff. Accumulation of road grime, dust or even heat and moisture on the brakes will directly affect the wheels.
If you car pulls on to a side when you apply the brake, it indicates an alarming problem in the adjustment of the brake clearance. Brake problems do not crop up out of the blue; they develop gradually. Monitoring these factors from time to time is an absolute must to avoid a bumpy, dangerous ride. Check the following:
- Check disc brake pads for wear and rotors for surface wear.
- Check drum brake linings for wear and cracks.
- Check whether the cable of the parking brake adjuster needs to be tightened.
3. Check transaxle fluid
While checking the brakes, also check the transaxle fluid level both manual and automatic. Fluid loss may lead to a severe problem. Therefore, add the desired quantity of fluid as indicated by the dipstick.

4. Check tyres
The functionality of your car depends upon how smooth the four wheels run. Car tyres have an important bearing on the performance and safety of the car Hence, checking the tyres is mandatory. Make sure that your car’s tyres are filled with recommended air pressure since both high and low pressure will impede a smooth drive. It goes without saying that deflated tyres be filled with air as soon as the problem is noticed and punctures repaired well within time to avoid accidents. Tyre rotation is a healthy practice as it keeps the wear on the tyres even. When your car’s tyres are balanced, there is an overall reduction in vibration thus ensuring that the tyres run smoothly and longer.

5. Check electrical system
Understanding a car’s electrical system might not be everybody’s cup of tea. But it is an integral part of the car and requires its fair share of attention and maintenance. It is quite frustrating to have your car stall midway due to electrical faults and leave you deserted in the middle of nowhere. Therefore, proper maintenance of the electrical system is prescribed to ensure that you are not stuck anywhere and your car gives you a hassle-free drive.

6. Check air conditioner
What is a car without comfort? A smooth running air conditioner has a considerable contribution in providing a comfortable ride to the passengers. Given the scorching heat of the NCR region and the mugginess in the weather, an efficient car air conditioner is a must.

7. Check car cooling system
The cooling system of a car prevents the car engine from overheating. Therefore, the use of a good quality coolant is an absolute necessity. Also, the coolant level should be monitored at regular intervals, say fortnightly, the frequency increasing during summers.

8. Check car gears
Handling the car gears is a task that needs to be excelled right at the on start of learning how to drive. Maneuvering the gears needs special attention since they define and control the speed of your machine. They simply cannot be fiddled with. The clutch should be placed properly and adequately while changing gears.

9. Check car alternator
The alternator of a car produces electricity which is used to maintain battery storage charge and to help all the electrical accessories, including the ignition and the engine control systems to run properly. It is belt-driven by the engine and produces an Alternating Current (AC). This is turn is converted internally to 12 volts of Direct Current (DC) by the diode bridge or rectifiers. Any negligence in the maintenance of the car alternator can yield severe damages to your car. Therefore it is mandatory to get the car alternator checked every time you take your car for servicing.

10. Check car battery

If your car is a human body, its battery is the neural centre. The car battery governs the entire electrical system of your car. It stores the energy produced by the alternator and supplies it to the systems, like lights and fuel injection system that require a smooth, uninterrupted flow of current. Make sure your battery runs properly. Once the car battery collapses, your machine would be as good as a vegetable.

11. Check car starter

Car Starter is simply a DC motor that turns the engine crankshaft through the flywheel, starting the combustion process by creating compression within the cylinders. Voltage to the starter is supplied directly from the battery and is controlled by a relay and/or solenoid operated from the key switch inside your car.

12.Check car fluids
Check the oil, transmission fluid, differential fluid, wiper fluid, power steering fluid, and hydraulic clutch fluid (if applicable) regularly. Checking the radiator fluid is quite easy and also a must. Fluids are to a car what water is to humans. Checking them is easy but can cost you a fortune if not done on time.

13. Check paint and wax
Do not compromise on this front. Choose a superior quality of supplies to keep your car interiors and exteriors sparkling. There is a wide variety of sophisticated paints and waxes available in the market with compounds that protect the polish from fading. Waxing ensures that your vehicle shines beautifully and remains free of corrosion.

14. Check spare parts
Local spare parts, although available at much a cheaper price will affect the overall performance of your vehicle, especially in the long run. Whenever you drive your car to a workshop, do not compromise on the quality of the spare parts. Always go for branded, original products as they will only keep your car in good shape for years together.

15. Check auto essentials - maps, torch and escape hammer
Finally, a car is your investment; it is as much your status-symbol as a vehicle that gets you to places. An efficient car must not desert you, at any cost. Therefore it should be equipped with these auto essentials that ensure that you are never stranded, always on track and safe behind your wheels.

In the Pink of Health

The Roman poet Virgil advised, “Health is the greatest wealth”. While we have heard the saying a zillion times, we have seldom made the correct health choices to ensure that we stay hale and hearty. With a multi-faceted lifestyle, demanding careers and success being the quest of modern lives, advices on how to stay fit and fine are not only baffling but also change from week to week. The basic practices for good health have remained constant over the years. All you need to do is incorporate them into your everyday life.

A lot of people in this world are seeking success. They spent hours slogging every day, aiming for promotions, pay-hike and a better lifestyle. Truth is, without a healthy body, you do not even have the potential to earn or afford a better standard of living. Unfortunately, there are way too many commercials on the television that promise you the ‘pink of health’ without doing much and only by using their products. Sometimes you get deceived; at others you do realize that they are all hoaxes. So you make plans, diet-charts, and daily routines, only to re-make them the following week. Don’t worry.
Being healthy is not a myth! Health is the greatest asset that we possess. It is a catalyst that helps us achieve our goals and fulfill our dreams in our life. Here are twenty effective tips on staying healthy and feeling great!

1.Your health is your responsibility
Remember the last time you fell ill? How did it feel? Rotten, isn’t it? Well, the good news is that there still is time to have the reins of your health in your hands to avoid such uncalled for run-downs. All it requires is a little bit of planning and prioritizing. Make healthy choices. Have a wholesome breakfast. If you have to stay back in office beyond the usual timings, pack some extra lunch to avoid ordering food from outside. Select water over soft drinks. Moderate yourself from excesses. Pack healthy food items for your children. Help them make correct choices and encourage the habit of eating home-cooked meals instead of snacks ordered from outside. For many parents, helping children develop healthy eating habits is a struggle. With the hectic pace of many families' lives and with more women working full time, even health-conscious parents are finding it easy to tolerate less than desirable eating habits. Although it's a myth that children become hyperactive by eating too much sugar, sugary food is still bad for oral health, can be stored as fat, and aggravates diabetes.

2. Balanced diet
It wasn’t a mere myth learnt at school. Balanced diet is the deciding factor behind good health. The proper diet can help control or eliminate high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods such as whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables. Cut down on your intake of sugars and fats. Drink alcohol in moderation.

3. Go organic!
You are what you eat. What you eat directly affects your health. Not watching your diet will cause health problems. Go organic! Organic foods not only taste better but also do your body a whole lot of good. They contain the least amount of pesticides and are thus good for overall health.

4. Say no to hydrogenated food
Hydrogenation Process shadows the fact that the food you are eating could be rancid. Do you really want to eat rotten or stale food? If not, e4liminate hydrogenated food-items from your list. These include all the ‘quick-bites’ that we grope for when hungry including crackers, cookies and chips.

5. Work towards having healthy relationships
Stress from relationships of whichever kind is the worst form of stress and totally wears a person out. Instead of brooding too much on sour relationships, take constructive steps to build and nurture them. This will be one of the greatest steps towards great health.

6. Exercise
Exercise not only helps in maintaining physical fitness but also ensures overall health and wellness. It has uncountable benefits. Exercise strengthens muscles and the cardiovascular system, hones our athletic skills, and enables weight loss and body-sculpting. Regular physical exercise enhances the immune system, and helps curb the ‘diseases of affluence’ such as heart and cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Exercise improves mental health, alleviates depression, builds self-esteem and boosts our body image.

7. Be positive
Attitude effects health and healing in a major way. While a positive attnitude triggers good health, a negative attitude not only drags you dow but also those around you. We all wallow from time to time and little slips here and there is allowed. When you think positive, you will be able to elude stress, think straight and work your way out of your problems. The point is to maintain a positive attitude most of the time, to learn from our mistakes instead of sulking about them and having a joyful heart to stay healthy and spread happiness all around.

8. Sleep well
After a long and tiring day at work, all that your body needs is a peaceful sleep. Six to eight hours of undisrupted sleep revitalizes all the worn out cells of the body. As against this, not getting enough sleep is been linked to heart attacks, high blood pressure and other serious health issues.

9. Smile
It takes lesser muscles to smile than to frown. Smiling is a sign of happiness. A nice smile not only enhances your face value but also attracts and exudes positivity. This in turn improves mental health.

10. Socialize
Expressing your feelings and emotions to your friends and family improves both physical and mental health. You will not have a hard time keeping things to yourself. It has been scientifically proved that people with strong social and family ties live longer, have stronger immunity to diseases and suffer less mental decline as they grow older.

11. Breath normally
Take your time in breathing in and exhaling. Avoid bad sleeping positions and never cover your head while sleeping as it only triggers the amassing of carbon dioxide that makes the brain function abnormally.

12. Be clean not crappy
Did you know that poor dental hygiene could give you a heart attack? Surprising but true! Brush your teeth everyday and floss regularly. Take showers daily. Ablutions should be timely to make sure that the digestive system runs smoothly. Maintain good hygine for your sake and for the sake of others.

13. Go for monthly check-ups
Prevention is better than cure! Regular check-ups will help you spot little health problems before they become humungous. Consult doctors at regular intervals. Go for timely immunizations, and blood-pressure and cholesterol checks. An illness can strike anytime. It is just proper to have a check-up to prevent or to detect and cure it.

14. Good poise, comfortable clothes
Although this has more to do with personal grooming, but when it comes to maintaining good health, one’s poise and clothes cannot be ignored. Sitting or standing up in a correct position de-stresses the body thus leaving you in a state of comfort. Wearing proper clothes that will maintain your normal body temperature is also important to have all your body parts function properly. You can’t be wearing a jacket when it is too hot or be wrapped in a chiffon sari when it is freezing outside.

15. Watch your hand
Wash your hands before touching any food item. Clean and trim your nails regularly. Remember to carry hand-sanitizers.

16. Abstain from smoking and drinking
Did you know that non-smokers and teetotalers live far longer than those who are addicted to cigarettes or alcohol? It is because once you are addicted to them, the chance of getting cancer or any illnesses increases tremendously. Most lung cancer cases are due to smoking while drinking increases the risk of coronary heart diseases and stroke. Smoking is responsible for most lung cancer while drinking greatly increases your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.

17. Vaccines
Diseases are highly infectious and can affect anyone with low immunity. Therefore vaccination becomes an imperative if one were to stay healthy. Due to immunization, diseases like smallpox and polio have been almost eradicated. Vaccines are usually administered during childhood to safeguard a child from various ailments that mostly occur before the child reaches the age of two. As a parent, keep a track of your child's vaccines.

18. Stop eating out
While McDonalds and Pizza Hut might be tempting names, they are equally threatening for your health. Would you want a salad when you could easily order a large fry or have an entire pizza delivered to you within minutes? Unfortunately, the foods that taste the best are often the worst for your body. While we usually ignore this important fact, it is crucial that we at least try to consume nutritional food four days out of the week.

19. Manage stress
Stress with heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, acne and other health problems. Learning to control your stress can help you feel better every day and decrease your chances of long-term health problems. Meditation, relaxation and exercise are ways to manage stress.

20. Have a motto in life

Finally, finding a purpose in life keeps your mental faculty healthy leading to great physical health. Determine your short and long term goals, learn to plan and stick by them and be focused on your goals. Remember, although it’s all about saying ‘no’, the secret to great health lies in enjoying the sweetest pleasures of life in moderation and not in living in a state of denial.

Spirited at Sixty

Osho describes old age thus,
“It is a ripening of your being, maturity, growth. If you live moment to moment, to all the challenges that life gives, and you use all the opportunities that life opens, and if you dare to adventure into the unknown to which life calls and invites you, then old age is a maturity. Otherwise old age is a disease. Unfortunately many people simply age, they become old, without any maturity corresponding to it. Then old age is a burden.”

There comes a day in everyone’s life when one suddenly grows out of the age-old routine of waking up, getting ready for work and reaching office on time. There are no alarm clocks and no office bags. After having successfully passed through the various phases of life, overcome multiple stumle-blocks, been through various ups and downs, you enter a new phase of life – retirement. But retirement does not mean retiring from life. It is merely changing gears and driving down a slower lane where the ride is more relaxed and beautiful.


An interesting psychological study shows that 55% of people believe that they will be a burden on their family post retirement if they are not able to take care of themselves. 24% dread ending up at an old-age home, 12% fear being left alone as destitute while 10% worry death. The figures are truly disheartening, but only if we see ourselves in any of these brackets.

Old age is the harvest of all our working years. We are left to reap what we have sown for so long. Old age is beautiful for those who have lived their yesteryears well. With each passing day of our youth and adulthood, we do our little bit to ensure that our retirement years are sweet and comfortable. It is upon us to think and plan towards living a happy old age. It is but foolish to adjourn the thought of living a happy old age while we are still young and can plan for it because before we wake up to our first day post retirement, it will be too late to reconsider our plans. Here are a few ways which will ensure that you live your golden years to the fullest.

Plan your finances: Life insurance plans, mutual funds, pension plans may sound boring and appear to be a long-drawn plan but they are not mere tax-saving techniques. Financial planning go a long way in helping you live through your golden years the way you always dreamt of. You have been saving all your life, cutting ends and depositing lump-sums in the bank only to use them when you have no source of income. Now is the time to reap the benefits. Your savings, assets, investments, pension, all make you financially sound in your life post retirement and ensure that you face the mature years with courage and pleasure.

Live healthy: Lead a healthy life while you still can. Age brings with itself manifold problems – weak knees, poor eyesight, ailing heart and nervous disorders. It is important that you start taking care of your body now so that you pass your old age in good health and high spirits. Take balanced diet, exercise regularly, rest adequately rest and practice to calm your mind through yoga and meditation. Most importantly, get yourself medically insured so that when illness strikes, you are well-braced to fund the cure.

Have a hobby: No matter how busy you are, it is important that you pursue an interest. This will not leave any place for vacuum when you are retired and have nothing to do. Exploit your talents, learn new languages or pottery, take up a sport, paint or simply give words to your thoughts.

Stay in touch: Friends are important, more so when you have no office colleagues around you, no fellow bus-passengers, no familiar faces to turn and smile to. Keep in touch with friends. Take time out to meet them as often as you can. Like they say, friends are forever! It is them who you will eventually turn to when you grow old.

Make plans: Old age can be quite frustrating for those who consider it as a ‘death knell’. Retirement, in its initial stage, seems like a honeymoon phase. However, with the paucity of ideas and after prolonged rest and relaxation, one might tempt to get a little disoriented. Therefore, it is advisable to plan your life after retirement. Figure out what you love doing the best, what opportunities you will have in front of you and how will you face them, whether you would like to utilize your knowledge and experience gained over the years and how, et al. Once you have a plan of action, you would want your golden years to approach faster so that you can get a release from the pressure-cooker years once and for all!

Travel: The best part about retirement is that you can move around like a free bird; you can take off for your dream destination without anyone raising an eyebrow at your absence. Once you are ready with your list of ‘places I must visit’, start saving for that dream holiday. Trust me it will be worth all the effort.

Be a volunteer: There are several organizations that may need your assistance and guidance. Volunteering at schools, libraries, hospitals, welfare projects and camps etc will not only keep you busy but also in touch with people and happenings. Your worries will decrease considerably while you help others improve their life.

Think of alternate careers: Plan to become a consultant or even start your very own business post retirement. A corporate executive can become a consultant while a sportsperson can take up coaching. Better still, be your own boss and run your niche empire. Chisel your skills and abilities while you are still young. Keep a track of all your contacts and utilize your talents and expertise. Be prepared for an investment, even on a moderate scale and be financially independent even in your golden years.

Old age is full of life, full of sweet harmony. Every experience is like a little snatch of a song. As someone has rightly said,

“Rich in experience that angels might covet
Rich in a faith that has grown with the years.”

The trick is to polish your hard learned lessons and brace yourself to live life to the hilt even when the shadows of age fall upon you. There is so much to life even after retirement. Think of the things that you have abhorred from the bottom of your heart all this while – the strangling tie, the threatening alarm clock, deadlines, schedules, planning for your children’s future, cutting ends, saving and sacrifices.

Old age will be your turn to help others tread along the way you have already travelled. There indeed is so much to do! Look around for opportunities. Do not dread age. It is just another phase of life; and yes, it can be very charming if you want and plan it to be. Look around for opportunities. Life, after all, is worth more than your job. Plan to make it fulfilling and productive so that you can live it up to the hilt.

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My Cup of Tea @ Teasta, The Tea Shop

Need a place to hang out, chat and catch-up with friends over an irresistable hot cup of tea? ‘Teasta’, the little, old-world tea-shop located in Godavari Compex of Sector 37 offers not only deliciously refreshing ice tea, cold coffees and sandwiches but also a niche social circle. All you need to figure out is ‘what’s your cup-of tea’.


From socialising to drinking a good cup of tea, Noidans love doing things their way. Hanging out in malls is a thing of the past and the regular coffee shops, claustrophobic. To cater to this outwardly spirit of the Noidans, Godavari Complex at Sector 37 houses of a super cool tea shop called Teasta. When we say ‘tea shop’ don’t misunderstand this place for a non-descript roadside shack or a tapri. This is where the coolest, smartest and the most well turned-out Noidans go to not just sip hot cuppas and munch cold sandwiches but also to socialize.

The history of this tea shop traces back to a small shop housed in a garage, right opposite Lal market. Back then it had a flattering menu on the offer – Darjeeling Tea, Black Tea, Ginger Cold Tea, Ice Tea and so on. It was never really a restaurant or a hotel and therefore didn’t have a seating arrangement even then. Regulars used to hang around the garage or sit on low stools or mudaas. Young college goers, daters and old school student gangs used to frequent the place. Then it shifted its address to the Godavari Complex in Sector 37, right behind the Army School and close to the Telephone Exchange. The posh location and the young residents slowly and steadily added to its repute and popularity. It would be right to state that the fame of this age-old tea joint spread but by word-of-mouth.

This nice little tea-joint is run by Capt. (Retd.) Mehra and his wife and as mentioned, is quite a number among young crowd who hang out around it to chill, chat and smoke. Also popular by the name of ‘Tea Shop’, it serves a wide variety of hot and cold beverages and munchies a la carte. It is only after you’ve ordered your cup of tea that the ambience begins to sink into you. Media personalities, theatre artists, students and young professionals, Teasta is now the hot-n-happening hub for one and all; a perfect avenue to treat friends without emptying your coffers.

Looking for a place to sit? Do not bother for the tea shop does not have any formal seating arrangement. Surprising, isn’t it? Because of no formal seating arrangement inside the shop, regulars bring along their own mats and perch on the small steps running along the footpath while others squat on newspapers or on the bare ground. Evenings witness a long trail of cars parked right opposite the tea shop with customers relaxing in them and sipping their favourite flavours. Teasta is indeed a place to unwind, open up, mingle or just be on your own. Whatever be your mood, the ambience of the place only lifts your spirits.

Step in and be amazed; Teasta can well be mistaken for an old bakery-cum-curio shop. You will find a vivid display of quaint kettle and hookah miniatures, old photographs and a wall full of random notes, memoirs and testimonials written by the visitors. But if you are not too keen to dig into the curio bit, the tantalizing menu will not fail to allure your taste-buds; it is quite exhaustive for a tea shop that size to say the least.

Iced tea, cold coffee and ginger and lemon grass tea are some of the all time favourites. Paired up with grilled cheese and chicken salami sandwiches, they win hands down over the regular fare at big brand coffee shops, closely followed by chocolate muffins and cookies. Talk of variety and this petite tea shop has steaming hot momos and corn on its menu too! Teasta also swanks of a fine array of various flavoured tea leaves brewed to perfection. From Darjeeling tea in orange pekof, or lemon, lichi ice and peach ice to the more healthy Ginsing tea, the list is endless. For those who swear by caffeine, Teasta offers blends like ‘L’ Orange and Caribbean, besides the most beloved regular cold coffee. And if you were wondering for a miniscule bit about the price tag, rest assured the rates are way cheaper compared to a fancy coffee joint. Imaging a hot cup of aromatic ginger and lemon grass tea at as little as Rs. 20! Have a cup and you’ll bet it’s worth every penny.

Patrons and regulars don’t seem to think for a moment before lauding their favourite Tea Shop.

Says Chirag, “the tea shop is almost a getaway of sorts. You do not require to know anyone there. Just go and enjoy yourself alone, or with company. I go there often on my way back home from work. Every time I am tempted to try a different flavor of tea; they are so refreshing. The most amazing thing is no matter what you order, it hardly dents your pocket. There are times when I am really tired and my energy is too sapped to push me to the kitchen and brew myself a good cup. It is at these times that the Tea Shop becomes my haven. Sit in your car, play some good music and sip a hot cup of tea; you’ll know what I am talking about.”

Tempted to try it out? For those who do not know where the Tea Shop is, here is a quick set of directions to help you reach it.

• Reach Sector 37 or Arun Vihar, right opposite the Noida Golf Course.
• Ask for the way to Godavari Complex. In case you are still unable to locate the area, ask for Agnihotri Gas Agency or the Telephone Exchange. Teasta is located just a few shops away from Aginihorti Gas Agency.
• If you are still lost, ask for Hotel Kamboj, a very popular (and perhaps the only) restaurant in the area. Cross the gate after the hotel and take a right turn. Teasta would be on your left.

The popularity of Teasta, The Tea Shop has reached far and wide, so much so that it has a community dedicated to its patrons on Facebook too. Simply look for ‘The Tea Shop’ community and there you go! Meet your fellow Teasta lovers, chat, discuss, follow regular updates or even plan a social at the Tea Shop! After all, as they say, a lot can happen over a cup of ‘tea’!

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