Our lifeline at Nirmal Bang

Transcription

1 Page 2 17 Our lifeline at Nirmal Bang From The HR Desk A Note From The HR Team North East West South (NEWS) HR Quotient 10 Tips To Improve Productivity At Work So Long, Farewell Stalwarts Pandit Ravi Shankar: The Soul Of Music Page Turners Grinding It Out: The Making Of McDonald s By Roy Kroc Rafa: My Story by Rafael Nadal, John Carlin Movie Mania Movie Review: Silence Of The Lambs Techno Zone Protecting Your Phone and Tablet from Loss, Theft and Attacks Travel Bug Kerala: God s Own Country (Part I) Body and Soul Is Herbal Tea The Key To Better Health Foodie s Delight Mouth - watering Recipes Winter Vegetable Soup Undhiyo Gajar Ka Halwa Best Employee Of The Month Fabulous Forwards The Best Forwarded Fun and Frolic Too Much Of Technology Word Play Introducing Five New Words To Boost Your Vocabulary Quizzical Star performers Academic Achievements

2 From The HR Desk D ear Colleagues, It gives us immense pleasure to bring to you yet another edition of Pulse, the employee newsletter of the Nirmal Bang Group. This one too is filled with interesting articles on HR, travel and living, movie and obviously few lip-smacking recipes. In the HR section, there is an article on how employees can improve productivity at work. Between constant meetings, phone calls and s, staying productive at work can be a challenge. However, the odds of staying productive can be greatly improved by taking some simple steps mentioned in our article to lighten your workload. Goodbyes can be heart-wrenching especially when you are biding goodbye to an organization after working for several years. However, now and then we come across people whose exit is rather acrimonious. This article explains how you can maintain dignity and grace in your goodbye to an organization. Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar needs no introduction. Words fail to describe the contribution of the legendary Indian sitar player to Indian classical music. His music transcended trends and cultural barriers. And he is hailed as an inspiration, who opened the door to non-western music for millions of people around the world. However, his death on December 11, at the age of 92 has left a void never to be filled. He has been featured in the section Stalwarts as he is an inspiration to scores of music aficionados. Bibliophiles can read two great books, viz: Grinding It Out: The Making Of McDonald s by Roy Kroc and Rafa: My Story by Rafael Nadal, John Carlin. While one details the rise of McDonald s, the other is a biography on the numero uno tennis star Rafal Nadal. Movie buffs can read the review of the movie Silence of the lambs. It is a psychological thriller wherein Clarice Starling, a young U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation trainee, seeks the advice of the imprisoned Dr. Lecter to apprehend another serial killer, known only as "Buffalo Bill". It is a recommended film for fine acting by the leads Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. With the nip in the air, warm and comforting foods are a must have this winter season. We have therefore mentioned three recipes Winter Vegetable Soup, Undhiyo and Gajar Ka Halwa - in the Foodie s Delight section, which can be prepared in a jiffy and devoured even more quickly. Travel enthusiasts can read up on Kerala, God s own country in the Travel Bug section and know about the places worth visiting in this southern state of India. We are impressed by the stunning response we have received for Quizzical and hope this will continue in the future. Finally, we would welcome any comments you have on how you would like to see the magazine develop, particularly if you feel you have something to contribute to its future success. Please send in your contributions to [email protected]. 2 The HR Team

3 North-East-West-South Christmas celebrated at Nirmal Bang Mumbai: Religious gaiety and fervour marked the Christmas celebration by the Business Development department at the Malad office of Nirmal Bang. A beautiful crib made to herald the birth of Lord Jesus Christ was the main highlight of the celebration at Malad. Christmas was also celebrated at the Pune office with the staff dressed in red and white in keeping with the spirit of the festival. Pune Malad - Mumbai 3

4 HR Quotient 10 Tips to Improve Productivity at Work Between constant meetings, phone calls and s, staying productive at work can be a challenge. However, the odds of staying productive can be greatly improved by taking some simple steps to lighten your workload. Adam Gurian, president of Timex offers the following tips for workers to make the most of their time at work. Act Immediately On Phone Messages: If you can accomplish a task in just a few minutes, do it. It is one less thing on your to do list and you will have that immediate sense of accomplishment. If you let too many small activities pile up, you will be playing catch up the rest of the day. Get A Head-Start On Tomorrow By Preparing Before You Leave The Office Today: The simple task of writing a to-do list is one of the most efficient ways of keeping track of your daily work requirements. By writing out a list for tomorrow before you leave the office at night, you will have an immediate head-start on your next day and be ready for your new priorities. Don t Sit At Your Desk All Day: It is important to get up, walk around the office and take a few minutes for a mental break. These short breaks will reinvigorate you and help you be more productive in the long term. 4 Organize Your Tasks: By arranging your workday so that you tackle your most important priorities together,

5 HR Quotient you will save time, be more efficient and ultimately produce higher quality work. In addition, by starting your day with the most important task, you will increase your productivity and get your day off to a good start. Stand Up For Your Phone Calls: It is amazing that the simple act of standing during a phone call will actually help shorten the call, thus saving you time. If you are standing you are less likely to be involved in idle chatting and you will get to the point of the conversation faster. Stick To A Schedule: If a meeting is scheduled for an hour, do everything possible to keep it to an hour. Once meetings start running long, it directly impacts the rest of your schedule for the day, while also impacting your co-workers. A series of meetings that run long will have a snowball effect throughout the day. Also, if you are not required to be at a meeting and you have a more pressing deadline, do not feel guilty about missing the meeting. Learn To Say No: While everyone wants to be a good team player at work, saying no is sometimes the right thing to do. If you are not the best person for an activity, or if you have other pending deadlines, it is OK to turn down a project. However, it is always beneficial to have an alternative solution or suggestion, so that your co-workers have a clear vision of what they will need to do to help move their projects forward. Don t Let Take Over Your Day: We are all so accustomed to that as soon as we see a new in our inbox we instinctively click it on, respond and focus on the content of the . These seemingly tiny activities during the day can quickly add up to large amounts of time that not only cause your day to slip away but also distract you from completing your current task. If you are focused on a project, tell yourself that you will not check your for a set amount of time, so that you get through your activity. Don t Take Advantage Of Facebook In The Office If It Is Allowed: Social media is a part of all of our daily lives. However, to save time you must have the discipline to not spend large parts of your day seeing what your friends thought of the latest movie release or what they had for dinner last night. Many companies are moving towards banning Facebook in the office, as it is becoming a drain on the workday. If you are allowed on Facebook during the day, be sure to use it as a break for just a few minutes, because if it becomes a regular habit, it can easily take over your day and impact the work needed to get done. Use Technology: There are amazing tools that you can use in the office to make you more productive and ultimately save time during the workday. Use GoogleDocs to collaborate with colleagues on documents. Use calendar planning tools to sync up your schedules with colleagues. Use Skype for video conferencing so that you can potentially reduce the need to travel for meetings. Also, work with your IT team to see if they have suggestions on which new technologies can be used to save time. They can be a tremendous resource not only to you but to the entire organization. 5 Source:

6 HR Quotient SO LONG, FAREWELL Last week, I had a bunch of and voice mail messages from an ex-colleague, wanting an employment verification and recommendation letter. No doubt, the young lady in question had been good at her job. However, I wasn t about to dash off a glowing recommendation. Last Christmas, when she was still working with us, she just sent a text in the middle of the night saying she wouldn t be back at work and then disappeared. No , no messages, no contact. No handover, no access to files, no explanation. Weeks later, after frantic and worried attempts to contact her, I ran into her sister, who mumbled that she was indeed alive, fine and had started a new job. My anger aside, I understood that she was immature, excited about the new job and took the easy way out of avoiding the messy process of saying goodbye, and dealing with the handing-over process. Much like an annoying boyfriend who decides to break-up, forgets to let the girl know and leaves her to figure things out for herself. Whether you are the terminator or the terminated, goodbyes can be messy, particularly so when your stint in a company has been significant. So, how do you ensure that you handle the farewell, well? Practicalities, first. Before you resign, review any legal and contractual obligations you may have non-compete arrangements, notice periods, non-poaching clauses, bonus clawbacks. List the status of your ongoing projects, and start outlining transition plans. Back up your personal information and Rolodex. Think through whether you might consider a counter-offer, if there was to be one. Prepare, perhaps rehearse, your conversation where you inform your company about your decision to leave. 6 Next, make sure you speak to your boss first, before you enthusiastically share the news with colleagues. Schedule a conversation, preferably in person. Have the preliminary chat, state your position calmly. Understand that there is likely to be anger and disappointment, perhaps resistance to the action that you have initiated. You can t control these responses, but you can control how you behave. You can choose to conduct yourself professionally, with grace and dignity, and help the company through your exit. Respect that there may be a period of adjustment that your

7 HR Quotient supervisors may need to go through. Give them time to absorb this, and react. Be prepared to have a discussion about your reasons, and do hear out any suggestions that may come up, calmly. If indeed you do reconsider your decision, put a timeline on the process and close it as quickly as feasible. After this, as soon as possible, resign in writing. This sets the clock in motion, and puts a timeline on your departure. Be prepared to honour your contractual obligations, sign the non-disclosures, and work through a transition plan. Put together a handover checklist, offer to brief colleagues, suggest a replacement, if asked to do so. Mutually agree on the content and timing of internal and external communication regarding your departure client messaging, announcements, handovers, etc. Most importantly, while you are serving your notice, honour your commitments. Tempting as it may be to take off on that camping trip, chances are that your company needs you to complete tasks with even more intensity before you leave. Do commit to this to the best of your ability. Your reputation depends on this. Even if you do have angst, consider keeping your tone and general communication positive, or at least neutral. Publicly trashing your employer in person or online is generally not a good idea. Be wary what you might consider a private conversation may end up being shared. At this stage, till official communication is complete, perhaps hold off on sharing the news of your new job on social media. At work, complete all the housekeeping. Make sure you have handed over all company property, including proprietary documents, and make sure that this is recorded. Clear personal paperwork relating to transfer of benefits and insurances and complete your exit formalities. Do clear your desk, remove any personal effects and remember to delete personal s and voic s. Draft a note about where things are filed, list your external interfaces and their contact details. Provide your contact details, should people need to reach you later. Consider asking for a statement of work, a record of your activities and achievements on the job. Remember to update your professional media profile. Exit interviews can be tricky. Tempting though it may be to sound off on your boss style and the general strategy, it s usually a good idea to focus on a few positive suggestions on business issues rather than personal issues and working styles and be wary of communicating too much at interviews conducted by relatively junior staff. All this apart, the hardest part of saying goodbye is emotional. It s human nature to sometimes focus on the negative at this time, often to justify to yourself why you are leaving but try to be fair and focus on the positive as well, show gratitude for the opportunities you had got. Excited as you are about the new job, consider that people with whom you worked may feel let down or disappointed invest in one-on-one communication, to give them closure. At this time, you may want to resist the temptation to diss the company, or overly tom-tom your new situation and compensation. Make an effort to say goodbye, and say thank you to people you worked with. Don t destroy your legacy and goodwill in the company by slinking out into the night. Honour your association with the company, give it the respect that it deserves the dignity and grace of a professional goodbye. As for my young ex-colleague? Unfortunately, in the professional world, taking shortcuts often have reputational and other consequences, as she soon learnt. As the song goes, There must be 50 ways to leave your lover. Maybe you don t want to just slip out the back, Jack. Source: 7

8 Stalwarts Pandit Ravi Shankar: The Soul Of Music 8 Pandit Ravi Shankar was a sitar player, who not only spellbound people in India, but mesmerized people all across the globe with his fabulous musical performances. He was instrumental in taking Indian classical music to the western world. He was a performer, composer, teacher, and writer, but is best known as an instrumentalist.

9 Stalwarts A true multifaceted personality, Shankar was India's one of the most celebrated musical ambassador and a major connect between the music worlds of the East and the West. With India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, and three Grammy Awards to his honour, Pandit Ravi Shankar dedicated his entire life to music, with over six decades and got himself recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest international career. Early Life Ravi Shankar was born as Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury on 7 April 1920 in Varanasi to Shyam Shankar and Hemangini Devi. He was the youngest of the seven brothers and belonged to a Brahmin family from Varanasi. For the first eight years of his life, Shankar did not meet his father, as he moved to London to work as a lawyer and married for the second time. His elder brother Uday Shankar was an eminent Indian classical dancer. When Shankar was 10, he went to Paris along with Uday. By 13, he was already a member of the dance troupe and had been touring extensively, along with learning dance and playing musical instruments. Uday's dance group toured Europe and the United States of America in the early to mid-1930s and Shankar learned French, discovered Western classical music, jazz, cinema and became acquainted with Western customs. Shankar heard the lead musician for the Maihar court, Allauddin Khan, in December 1934 at a music conference in Kolkata and Uday convinced the Maharaja of Maihar in 1935 to allow Khan to become his group s soloist for a tour of Europe. Shankar was sporadically trained by Khan on tour, and Khan offered Shankar training to become a serious musician under the condition that he abandon touring and come to Maihar. Career Shankar's parents had died by the time he returned from the European tour, and touring the West had become difficult due to political conflicts that would lead to World War II. Shankar gave up his dancing career in 1938 to go to Maihar and study Indian classical music as Khan's pupil, living with his family in the traditional gurukul system. Khan was a rigorous teacher and Shankar had training on sitar and surbahar, learned ragas and the musical styles dhrupad, dhamar, and khyal, and was taught the techniques of the instruments rudra veena, rubab, and sursingar. He often studied with Khan s children Ali Akbar Khan and Annapurna Devi. Shankar began to perform publicly on sitar in December 1939 and his debut performance was a jugalbandi (duet) with Ali Akbar Khan, who played the string instrument sarod. 9 Shankar completed his training in Following his training, he moved to Mumbai and joined the

10 Stalwarts Indian People s Theatre Association, for whom he composed music for ballets in 1945 and Shankar recomposed the music for the popular song Sare Jahan Se Achcha at the age of 25. He began to record music for HMV India and worked as a music director for All India Radio (AIR), New Delhi, from February 1949 to January Shankar founded the Indian National Orchestra at AIR and composed for it; in his compositions he combined Western and classical Indian instrumentation. Beginning in the mid-1950s he composed the music for the Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray, which became internationally acclaimed. He was music director for several Hindi movies including Godaan and Anuradha. 10 He composed two concertos for orchestra and Sitar. He started working as a music director for All India Radio (AIR) at New Delhi and recording music for HMV from 1949 to On hearing about the

11 Stalwarts positive response that his brother-in-law Akbar Ali Khan received while performing on western grounds, he resigned from AIR in 1956 to concentrate on foreign tours. Beginning with small audiences and incorporating South Indian Carnatic music in his performances, Shankar toured the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. In 1958, he was one amongst the musicians who participated in the 10th anniversary celebrations of the United Nations and UNESCO music festival at Paris. In 1962, he established the Kinnara School of Music in Mumbai and later opened a western branch in Los Angeles, California in He was honoured with the Grammy Award for best Chamber Music Performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in Shankar befriended Richard Bock, founder of World Pacific Records, on his first American tour and recorded most of his albums in the 1950s and 1960s for Bock s label. The Byrds recorded at the same studio and heard Shankar s music, which led them to incorporate some of its elements in theirs, introducing the genre to their friend George Harrison of The Beatles. Harrison became interested in Indian classical music, bought a sitar and used it to record the song "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)". This led to Indian music being used by other musicians and created the raga-rock rend. Harrison met Shankar in London in 1966 and visited India for six weeks to study sitar under Shankar in Srinagar. During the visit, a documentary film about Shankar named Raga was shot by Howard Worth, and released in Shankar s association with Harrison greatly increased Shankar s popularity and Ken Hunt of Allmusic would state that Shankar had become "the most famous Indian musician on the planet" by In 1967, he performed at the Monterey Pop Festival and won a Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance for West Meets East, a collaboration with Yehudi Menuhin. The same year, the Beatles won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band which included "Within You Without You" by Harrison, a song that was influenced by Indian classical music. Shankar opened a Western branch of the Kinnara School of Music in Los Angeles, California, in May 1967, and published an autobiography, My Music, My Life, in In 1968, he scored for the movie Charly. He performed at the Woodstock Festival in August 1969, and found he disliked the venue. In the 1970s Shankar distanced himself from the hippie movement. 11

12 Stalwarts The charity concert for Bangladesh, in which Shankar participated in August 1971, became one of the best-selling concert albums. As such, Shankar was conferred upon with a second Grammy Award. The success of the Europe tour gave way for North America tour, during which Shankar suffered a heart attack in Chicago in 1974 and the remaining portion of the tour stood cancelled. In 1976, he founded the Research Institute for Music and Performing Arts in Varanasi. His remarkable works earned him lot of praise and appreciation. From 1986 to 1992, Shankar served as a Rajya Sabha member in the Parliament of India, after being nominated by the then Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi. He composed music for films like as Dharti ke Lal, and Neecha Nagar. He also composed the music for the popular patriotic song 'Sare Jahan Se Accha' which is, till date, the most famous version. Although he performed in many international destinations, yet he never left his connection with India and keeps traveling back and forth from west to east. 12 Shankar underwent an angioplasty in 1992 due to heart problems, after which George Harrison involved himself in several of Shankar s projects. Because of the positive response to Shankar s 1996 career compilation In Celebration, Shankar wrote a second autobiography, Raga Mala, with Harrison as editor.

13 Stalwarts He performed in between 25 and 40 concerts every year during the late 1990s. Shankar taught his daughter Anoushka Shankar to play sitar and in 1997 became a Regent s Lecturer at University of California, San Diego. In the 2000s, he won a Grammy Award for Best World Music Album for Full Circle: Carnegie Hall 2000 and toured with Anoushka, who released a book about her father, Bapi: Love of My Life, in Anoushka performed a composition by Shankar for the 2002 Harrison memorial Concert for George and Shankar wrote a third concerto for sitar and orchestra for Anoushka and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. In June 2008, Shankar played what was billed as his last European concert, but his 2011 tour included dates in the United Kingdom. Shankar performed his final concert, with daughter Anoushka, on 4 November 2012 at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, California. Contribution To Music Unlike the music influences and rhythm practices from the traditional Carnatic music, Ravi Shankar developed a distinct style of music. He gained name by performing on the bass octave of the sitar for the alap section, while using quick and short deviations for the middle and high notes. This came to be known as a distinctive style of playing the strings of the sitar. Shankar often closed his performances with a piece inspired by the light-classical thumri genre. He helped greatly in promoting the jugalbandi duet concert style and introduced new ragas, like Tilak Shyam, Nat Bhairav, and Bairagi. Awards & Recognition Shankar won the Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize of the Jury at the 1957 Berlin International Film Festival for composing the music for the movie Kabuliwala. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 1962, and was named a Fellow of the academy for Shankar was awarded the three highest national civil honours of India: Padma Bhushan, in 1967, Padma Vibhushan, in 1981, and Bharat Ratna, in He received the music award of the UNESCO International Music Council in 1975, three Grammy Awards, and was nominated for an Academy Award. Shankar was awarded honorary degrees from universities in India and the United States. He received the Kalidas Samman from the Government of Madhya Pradesh for , the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in 1991, the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1992, and the Polar Music Prize in In 2001, Shankar was made an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire by

14 Stalwarts Elizabeth II for his services to music. Shankar was an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and in 1997 received the Praemium Imperiale for music from the Japan Art Association. The American jazz saxophonist John Coltrane named his son Ravi Coltrane after Shankar. In 2010, Shankar received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Melbourne, Australia. He was also awarded France s highest civilian honour, the Knight of the Legion of Honour. Post his death, Grammy has announced Pandit Ravi Shankar as a recipient of the lifetime achievement Grammy like Glenn Gould, Charlie Haden, Lightnin Hopkins, Carole King, Patti Page and the Temptations. Personal Life In 1941, 21-year old Ravi Shankar was married to the 14-year Annapurna Devi, daughter of his own teacher Baba Allauddin Khan. The couple was blessed with a son, Shubhendra Shankar in However, the marriage did not last long and the couple separated in 1940s. This was followed by a relationship with Kamala Shastri, a dancer, in the late 1940s. On his tour to America, Shankar had an intimate affair with Sue Jones, a New York concert producer, which led to the birth of Norah Jones in After separating from Kamala Shastri in 1981, Shankar lived with Sue Jones until Besides, Shankar was also in a relationship with Sukanya Rajan during 1970s, wherein the couple gave birth to Anoushka Shankar in He married Sukanya Rajan in 1989 at Chilkur Temple in Hyderabad, India. He had known her since the 1970s. Both his daughters, Norah Jones and Anoushka Shankar are renowned musicians in their respective fields. Shubhendra Shubho Shankar often accompanied his father on tours. He could play the sitar and surbahar, but elected not to pursue a solo career. He died in Norah Jones became a successful musician in the 2000s, winning eight Grammy Awards in Anoushka Shankar was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best World Music Album in Anoushka and her father were nominated for Best World Music Album at the2013 Grammy Awards for separate albums. 14 Shankar was a Hindu and a vegetarian and lived with Sukanya in Encinitas, California till his death.

15 Stalwarts Illness And Death On 6 December 2012, Shankar was admitted to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, San Diego, California after complaining of breathing difficulties. He died on 11 December 2012 at around 16:30 PST (Pacific Standard Time). He was suffering from upper-respiratory and heart issues over the past year and underwent heart-valve replacement surgery on 6 December Source: Compiled From The Internet

16 16 Page Turners

17 Page Turners Ray Kroc s success story is quite a record of persistence and achievement. He didn t invent the McDonald s chain (as many erroneously believe) but he knew a winner when he saw one and he negotiated to buy the business. He truly believed that McDonald s could be a huge, global operation if it was promoted right and run with an emphasis on quality, customer service, cleanliness, and value. These four attributes made the acronym "QSCV", and it was something that Ray Kroc preached to his people every single day. Kroc was an outspoken and egotistical man, and these personality traits pop up throughout the book. He blew his top several times, when things didn t go his way or when someone would make a negative comment about McDonald s, and he could often be quite profane and a little vile. One place where Kroc didn t let his ego get in the way with smart business was with the naming of the restaurant. He decided to keep the original name, McDonald s, rather than using his own name. This was a wise move, especially considering Ray s last name. Would you want to visit a restaurant that was named "Kroc s"? Just the name alone would make me lose my appetite and it was a wise business decision to keep the original name intact. This book shows occasional dabs of humour and some good writing. Kroc and editor Robert Anderson both deserve credit for making the book more enjoyable to read with its easy-flowing style. It s not awash in humor, but there s enough to help keep the book interesting. Kroc tells his story with gusto and pride. You can tell that he s very happy with the McDonald s company and gleaming with satisfaction over the way his personal life and professional life have turned out. This book was written in 1977, and much has changed since then, both with McDonald s and with fast-food in general. There are far more choices in fast-food today. It s hard to say how Kroc would have reacted to these modern-day changes in the marketplace, but I m sure he would have welcomed the challenge. Many people don t prefer McDonald s food, but the man behind the arches, Ray Kroc, is a person who deserves respect. His tenacity was unrelenting, his confidence was unmatched, and his drive to succeed was unstoppable. He took a small, roadside restaurant in California and transformed it into the world s largest fast-food chain. Grinding it Out is a testament to the difference that one man can make when he has guts and determination to be the best. Source: 17

18 18 Page Turners

19 Page Turners RAFA is a remarkable book which gives amazing insights into the mind of a tennis legend. The way he prepares before a game, his mental state during a game, his methods of handling the disappointments and the successes of the tennis court - all of this makes RAFA a fascinating read. The book has a unique format in which the first person account by Nadal is interspersed with chapters by John Carlin. The chapters by Nadal mainly talk about some of the important matches of his fledging tennis career, starting with THE MATCH - the Wimbledon 2008 final; his surprisingly strong family ties and its impact on his game; his domineering uncle and coach for 20 years - Toni and of course, his never say die spirit, which is visible in most of his matches, among other things. As the chapters go on, the book slowly uncovers the duality of Rafael Nadal - the one on the tennis court and the other off it. The one on the court is a gladiator who fights till the end, never gives up, doesn't know what fear is and ruthlessly decimates his opposition. The one off the tennis court is a soft, insecure lad, a boy next door, who is scared of dogs, who is uncomfortable driving a bicycle or a motorbike and one who is scared of flying in a helicopter! The importance he gives to his family and friends and in turn their impact on his game is mentioned throughout the book. After a remarkable year of 2008 when he won both French Open and Wimbledon and became No 1 for the first time, 2009 was a big let down, when he was dogged by injuries, when he lost in French Open for the first time and eventually lost the No 1 ranking. As he writes, this dip in his career was as much due to the separation of his parents as due to external factors like injuries and loss of form. In fact, according to him, the mental trauma he experienced due to his parent s separation was actually the root cause for most of his injuries during that time. In the final part of the book he also mentions his rather strange relationship with his uncle and coach - Toni. Though he gives a lot of credit to Toni for instilling in him the fighting spirit of a gladiator and making him the tennis player he is now, he also mentions a couple of incidents where he thinks Toni crossed the line. Overall, RAFA is an inspirational read. Through a living example, the book tells that to succeed you have to make sacrifices, to succeed you need to have discipline and dedication, to succeed you have to fight till the last point. Nothing comes easy in this world, but if you put an honest effort, nothing is too difficult to achieve! Source: www. amazon.com 19

20 Movie Mania SILENCE OF THE LAMBS Director: Jonathan Demme Cast: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins and Lawrence A. Bonney Very few movies have ever won the five top Oscars: Best Actor, Actress, Screenplay, Director, and Picture. "The Silence of the Lambs" is one. Jonathan Demme s sleek and tantalizingly creepy The Silence of the Lambs is about an FBI agent-in-training, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), and how she struggles to track down a serial killer. But the most exciting presence in the film is Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the brilliant, incarcerated psychopath who agrees to help her in her search. Lecter lives deep within the bowels of a Baltimore institution for the criminally insane. When Clarice first goes to see him, descending into the darkened, grungy brick corridor reserved for the hospital s most dangerous and deranged patients, she seems to be entering some medieval version of hell. At the very end of the corridor, behind an impenetrable clear-plastic wall, stands Lecter, the psychiatrist who liked to murder people and then eat them, or at least their vital organs (thus his nickname, Hannibal the Cannibal). Hopkins, always one of the most dynamic of British actors, gives the performance of his life. He delivers his lines in a rapid-fire hush, but his eyes, in a running counterpoint, are impish, amused, and almost subliminally knowing, as though some pleasurable otherworldly light were passing through them. We can sense that savagery and tenderness coexist in Lecter, that they grow out of the same directness of spirit. What makes the character so prickly and fascinating is that, as the movie presents it, his homicidal impulses are a natural extension of his intelligence, his ability to appreciate people s most intimate qualities. Lecter seeks complete knowledge of everyone he encounters. Clarice has been assigned by Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn), of the FBI s Behavioral Science Unit, to submit Lecter to a standardized questionnaire. What Crawford really wants, though, is Lecter s help in apprehending Buffalo Bill, a sicko who has been murdering women and skinning them. 20 Crawford figures that Clarice, because she s a novice (and extremely attractive), will bring Lecter out in a way that a more experienced agent couldn t. But Clarice turns out to be savvier than he expected. Her girlish ingenuousness does get to Lecter, but so does her sharp, intuitive mind, since that s what he values most in a person. Intrigued and infatuated, Lecter sets a deal in motion. Tell me about yourself, he tells Clarice: Reveal your secrets, your fears, your soul, and I ll look over the evidence and

21 Movie Mania help you find Buffalo Bill. The Silence of the Lambs jumps between their conversations, Clarice s investigation into the killings, and scenes set inside the anonymous small-town lair of Buffalo Bill, a.k.a. Jame Gumb (Ted Levine), a would-be transsexual who is keeping his latest prey alive in a dungeon-like hole in the basement. Demme has created a supremely sensuous and hypnotic thriller, one that s likely to become his first major hit. He brings Harris sensationalistic material an emotional charge virtually unheard of in this genre. Jodie Foster has sometimes projected too much intellectual avidity for the characters she s playing. Here, though, her bright-eyed alertness is just what s called for, and it takes on an almost lyrical quality. Sporting a Southern accent, she gives Clarice a brisk, no-nonsense attitude and, beneath that, a beguiling blend of curiosity and fear. Clarice never seems more accomplished than a freshman overachiever, yet we re also convinced that she s daring enough to lock eyes with a lethal game-player like Lecter. The movie takes its eerie resonance from the bond between these two. The bond works because Lecter, as Hopkins plays him, remains weirdly, likable. It works as well because Clarice s openness with Lecter isn t sentimentalized; it s shown to be part of what makes her a good detective. When she tells him that, as a girl, she once came upon the unendurable sound of lambs being slaughtered, and that the event has haunted her ever since, she s letting down all her defenses. In that moment, Lecter gets to partake of Clarice s identity without killing her. At the same time, he s doing her a favour, offering her a cathartic look in the mirror. What Clarice and Lecter share is a desire for something that few besides born detectives would ever seek: the full, horrifying knowledge of human darkness. 21 Source: Washingtonpost.com

22 Techno Zone Protecting Your Phone and Tablet from Loss, Theft and Attacks Our phones are not just phones anymore. That phone that you use to stay in touch with people is actually a little computer (let s call it a mobile device ) containing valuable information about you, your family, your friends, and your life. Can you imagine losing your mobile device? Or, what if your mobile device or tablet is attacked by a virus or a phone phishing attack? Because many daily activities were previously done on your PC, the information on your mobile device is now as critical and confidential as data on your laptop or desktop. It s time to start thinking about protection beyond the PC. People are using their mobile devices for so much more than just talking to each other. Maybe you re one of them. Maybe you use your mobile device to pay your bills, check your , get driving directions, check on retail discounts, download coupons, purchase movie tickets, check on the weather, book an airline flight, and who knows what else? With the applications ( apps ) that are available for your mobile device, there are endless possibilities when it comes to making your life easier. To many, mobile devices (particularly the ones with an Internet connection, or what we call smart phones ) are a lifeline to work, family, and social lives. Moms and dads use them to stay in touch with their kids; executives use them for everything from booking appointments to tracking stock prices; and business owners use them to help track inventory and stay in touch with their workers, their business partners, and their customers. It s never ending. 22

23 Techno Zone You might have banking and insurance data, private contacts, and a lot of personal and business information that you use on a daily basis residing right there on your phone. But what if you lost this mobile device? What if it was stolen? Or, what if your mobile device got sick with a virus that threatened to destroy or steal that information? Let s take a closer look at some of the precautions and mobile security factoids that you should be aware of as you increase your dependency on that little computer in your purse or pocket. Losing your mobile device Like anything else, it s certainly possible that your phone could get lost or stolen. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind: Lock it - Always lock your phone when not using it and don t give anyone the password. If your kids have phones, teach them how to use the lock feature on their phone too. Hide it - If you can t take your phone with you, don t leave it in your vehicle where anyone can see it. This could be an open invitation for stealing. Lock it in your trunk or glove compartment. Better yet, take it with you! Don t advertise your home address - Today s smart phones often include GPS technology, and if you use this feature it s quite possible that you have your home address as a favorite or frequent destination. It would be wiser to include your home address under a made-up name, so that if your phone is stolen, the culprit wouldn t have immediate knowledge of where you live. Notify ASAP - If you phone is lost or stolen, contact your phone provider right away in order to prevent anyone else from using your phone. Depending on your provider, you might be held responsible for unauthorized usage if you do not notify the provider within a certain timeframe. Old phone awareness - If you decide to get a new phone, don t forget to delete your personal information from your old phone first. Most mobile devices have a reset to factory settings option, and you should use that before recycling or storing it away. Also, be sure to remove or wipe clean any inserted memory card as well. Secure it - The best thing you can do for the physical safety of your mobile device is to use software that provides an array of features that are specifically designed to thwart unauthorized use of your phone. A security system for the mobile, not only prevents strangers from using your phone, but will help you or the authorities locate it. In addition, the software lets you lock your phone via the Internet and also will display a message written by you that informs anyone who finds the device how to contact you or make arrangements to get it back in your hands. If it gets to the point that you know your device has been stolen and is unrecoverable, the mobile security system lets you remotely erase data on your phone so that it can t be used by anyone else. Phones are not immune to phishing attacks As stated earlier, your mobile device is literally a computer. And just like your desktop or laptop at home and at work, smart phones are susceptible to threats, viruses, and attacks. 23

24 Techno Zone You should already know that when using the Internet on your mobile device, don t click on any unknown links. In fact, you should adhere to the same website vigilance that you would practice on any other computer. In other words, be careful! Yes, even on your phone, you can easily click on a fraudulent link that can take you to a website designed to fool you into revealing personal information that can be used to steal your money, your identity, or both. As recently as last month, there was a phony program, disguised as a Netflix app, distributed to unsuspected victims. The app was actually designed to steal account information and, ultimately, people s identities. Without slowing your mobile device down or adding anything complicated to the mix of programs you may already have on your device. Some mobile security software also provide anti-phishing protection, download threat protection, and will even remove mobile threats before they do any harm. Protect your Tablet too! Tablet computers have gained in popularity, and just like any other smart device, you ll need to protect your tablet and the data on it from loss, theft, viruses, and other threats. Antivirus and antimalware protection is available on mobile security software, which scans all files that enter the device. Plus, an on-demand scan lets you check out the safety of applications and files that are already on the tablet. Just like your mobile device, your tablet requires the same web protection, threat protection, and anti-phishing protection. With features designed to thwart thieves and troublemakers, your tablet s processing time or web browsing won t be slowed down at all, despite the added protection. Summary We carry our mobile devices and tablets virtually everywhere we go. If you lose these machines, it can cost you time, money, inconvenience, embarrassment, and worse. Be sure to keep these devices protected as you would any other computer. In fact, all your family devices, used by kids and spouses, should maintain the same level of protection. Be sure to teach your kids that smart and sensible Internet habits are not only applicable to desktops and laptops, but also to their phone and tablet devices as well. Source: Compiled From The Internet 24

25 Travel and Living KERALA GOD S OWN COUNTRY Part

26 Travel Bug With the Arabian Sea in the west, the Western Ghats towering 500-2,700 ms in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features that have made it one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Asia. Located in the South West corner of Indian peninsula, the state is shaped like a leaf and is ubiquitous with paddy fields, lofty palm trees and long stretches of shimmery water of the Arabian Sea. The state of Kerala is swamped with tourists throughout the year. Tourists can visit this state at any time of the year. Easily connected with the rest of the country, Kerala is one of the hottest tourist destinations on the international map and has also been declared as one of the ten Paradise on Earth. An equable climate, long shoreline with serene beaches, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife, waterfalls, sprawling plantations and paddy fields, ayurvedic health holidays, enchanting art forms, magical festivals, historic and cultural monuments and exotic cuisine offers a unique experience. And what's more, each of these charming destinations is only a two-hour drive from the other. This is a singular advantage which no other tourist destination offers. Kerala, India s most advanced society with hundred per cent literacy, world-class health care systems, India s lowest infant mortality and highest life expectancy rates, highest physical quality of life in India, peaceful and pristine, Kerala is the country s cleanest state. For administrative purpose, the state of Kerala is divided into 14 districts. Most of these districts offer all tourism products typical of the State. ALLEPPEY Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha is often called as Venice of East because of its numerous waterways. These huge networks of lagoons, canals, and lakes are the lifeline of Alleppey. Founded in 1762 by Divan of Travanacore, Raja Keshawadasan, this pristine back water town with its numerous coconut palms, lined waterways and tiny villages has a laid back and relaxed feel to it, as you experience all this while sailing on your house boat! Alleppey was amongst the busiest trade centers and it had an excellent port along Malabar Coast. Traders from across the world came searching for souvenirs and black gold. All this was after the British established it as a trade port in the late 18th century to counteract one that was established by the Dutch. Today, Alleppey is still the center for prawn farming and Coir carpet industries. 26 This town was established on a narrow land spit between Arabian Sea and Vembanad lake. Paddy fields are plentiful in the area thanks to the manmade islands created by the mud walls. One of the most popular drinks churned out of these fields is the delicious rice wine made here.

27 Travel Bug Numerous tourists come to Alleppey to enjoy the impressive natural beauty that can be seen there. It is a popular honeymoon destination, a perfect location to spot bird and animal life, and a place to see soak in the many religious historic sites. The mirror like lagoons, palm fringed waterways, sandy beaches, houseboat holidays and popular boat races are reasons why tourists flock to this tranquil town on the backwaters. Getting There By Air Alleppey does not have an airport. The nearest airports are Trivandrum International Airport (150 km) and Cochin International Airport (around 50 km). Taxis and buses are readily available to go to these airports. By Train Alleppey is well-connected by railways to most cities of India. Trains are available on a daily basis to major cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru. It is an average of 12 hours from Bengaluru and Chennai and 36 hours from Mumbai. By Road You can reach Alleppey by bus from select locations such as Bengaluru, Trivandrum, Mumbai, Coimbatore, Kannur, Kozhikode, Kochi, etc. There are various private and government buses that provide these services. This mode might prove to be more expensive and may not make for a comfortable journey. Must See Alleppey Beach, Krishnapuram Palace Must Buy Shopping at Alleppey is confined to few small shops scattered around the backwaters. Tourists are specially recommended to buy coir products like ropes and yarn that are sold by the local vendors. There are no shops per say, but tourists can enjoy shopping for carpets, pepper, coconut oil, areca nut, cardamom, and sugar. The prices of all the items are very reasonable. KOCHI Kochi is one of the most popular cities in Kerela, and is often referred as the Gateway to Kerala. Located on the West Coast of India, the city is flanked by the Western ghats in the East and the Arabian Sea in the west. Kochi has been rated among the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel and Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler s 50 greatest places of a lifetime. Kochi is one of the most historically rich places in India as well, since the city has been under the rule of multitudinous dynasties like Arabs, Chinese, British, Dutch and the Portuguese. This city was the first European colonial settlement in all of India. Over the years, Cochin has come up as the industrial and commercial capital of Kerala and it can be nominated as 27

28 Travel Bug the second most important city on the Indian west coast. It is only surpassed in importance by Mumbai. Today, Kochi has a world class international port and a well connected railway and road network. Although Kochi itself is a small town, the area has expanded vastly and today, resembles a large metropolis and now also includes Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Ernakulum and many other nearby towns and villages. Getting There By Air Cochin International Airport in Nedumbassery is situated 25 km from the main city of Kochi. The airport receives both national and well as international flights. Taxi services are easily available both within and outside the airport. The taxi service from the airport can be availed any time of the day. By Train Kochi has two railway stations - the Ernakulum Junction and the Ernakulum Town. Ernakulum Junction is the South railway station, and the Ernakulum Town station is the North railway station. Both the stations are well connected with the rest of the country. By Road Kochi is well-connected with the rest of the country. The national highways can bring you to Kochi from any part of the country. The city is an important place in the North-South Corridor. State buses from surrounding cities and neighboring states can bring you comfortably to Kochi. Must See Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), Jewish Synagogue, Kaladi, Fort Kochi,Chinese Fishing Nets, Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple, Paliam Palace Must Buy Kochi is a major shopping destination in Kerala offering a wide variety options for tourists to choose from. The main market areas are Jew Town area and Broadway and shops remain open from 9 am till 10 pm. For buying spices, clothes and other local items, Broadway in Ernakulam is the best option. For excellent handicraft items, the government emporium, Kairali, on MG Road is the most trusted place. For high-quality individual designer clothes and homeware, one can go to Cinnamon on Post Office Road. Penta Menaka complex has many duty-free shops selling electronics at a very cheap rate. KOVALAM Situated 16 kms from the Capital of Kerala is a city with four sandy bays called Kovalam. The meaning of Kovalam is groove of coconut trees. This spectacular beach resort in 1930s broke the shackles and emerged as the most magnificent tourist 28

29 Travel Bug attraction in the south. In earlier days it was a virgin land with not a lot of tourists, but later with the influx of tourists looking for peace and tranquility coming here, there was no looking back. The four sandy beaches are a sight to behold; all the four bays are separated by rocks. The Samudra Beach, Kovalam Beach, Hawa Beach and the light house beach are what gives Kovalam its beauty. Kovalam is also famous for its Ayurvedic massages and many yoga resorts. Meditation and herbal body toning are some of the things that ravelers are treated to for a rejuvenating experience. A number of cultural programmes are also organized along with a catamaran cruise to add to your Kerala experience! Kovalam is a beautiful tourist spot and tourists flock all year long but would advise not to visit during the monsoon which starts from June to October. The tides are high and the shores are not safe for travellers. Getting There By Air The nearest airport to Kovalam is in Thiruvananthapuram. Kovalam is located 10 km from the Trivandrum Airport. By Train There is no railway station in Kovalam. You will have to first travel to Thiruvananthapuram in a train and then take an auto, taxi or bus to Kovalam. You can reach the city by taking the Trivandrum Express or the Trivandrum Mail that originates from Chennai Central. If coming from further up then take the Kanyakumari Junction from Bengaluru City Junction. By Road Kovalam can be reached by road as well. The place is about 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram. Once you reach the state capital, it is very easy to reach Kovalam. There are regular bus services from nearby cities as well as states plying to and from Kovalam. Thiruvananthapuram is well-connected with other states via a network of highways. Must See: Lighthouse Beach Must Buy: The beach area of Kovalam is a treasure trove for shopping. Small shacks on the beach are ideal for picking pretty trinkets and small handicrafts. The Tibetan Curio Shops, Kashmiri and Rajasthani emporiums are the best places to buy handicrafts and fashionable clothes. KOZHIKODE Kozhikode or Calicut as it is popularly known is a land of pristine beaches, aromatic spice gardens, picturesque country sides and warm people. It was way back in 1948 that the coastal town of Kozhikode rose to fame when Vasco Da Gama first set 29

30 Travel Bug foot on its shores. Its magnanimous hills, gurgling streams, historic sites, wildlife sanctuaries, quaint villages and busy bazaars lure tourists year after year. The name Calicut, has its origins from the hand woven cloth called Calico. The city was the capital, during the reign of the Zamorin dynasty. A sea town with a busy port and thriving trading centre some of the best places to get a glimpse into its history and natural beauty are the Kappad Beach and Beypore Fort. A visit to the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary is a treat for bird watchers with over a 100 species of birds. For nature lovers, the Thusharagiri waterfall, 50 km from Kozhikode is an ideal place to for picnics. Adventure buffs can also trek this region amid spice plantations and dense evergreen forests. With a town having so much to offer from wildlife to wellness spas, beaches to bazaars and historic sites to hills, Kozhikode is a must-see on your Kerala itinerary! Getting There By Air Calicut International Airport, also known as Karipur International Airport, is situated at a distance of about 25 km from the city of Calicut. Calicut Airport is connected to almost all major cities of India and some of the cities in the Middle East. Those who arrive by air can hire taxi services from the airport to reach Calicut city. By Train There is no railway station in Kozhikode. Calicut has a railway station which enjoys remarkable connectivity to all the other cities in Kerala as well as in India. There are frequent trains running to cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Palakkad and Kannur. By Road Calicut enjoys good connectivity by road as NH 17 passes through the district. Calicut city has a major bus station known as the Mofussil bus stand, which has bus services to a number of towns such as Kannur, Thalassery, Palakkad and Ernakulam. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus station is located close to the Mofussil Bus Stand from where regular services are available to Bengaluru, Mysore and Wayanad. Luxury bus services are also available from Calicut to all major cities such as Bengaluru, Mangalore, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram. Must See Kappad Beach, Thikkoti Light House, Beypore 30 Must Buy Kozhikode is a beautiful coastal town that offers various things that tourists can take back with them. Most of the shops are located on SM Road and BB road and remain open from 10 in the morning till 9 in the night. Tourists should go to SM Road to take back some tasty banana chips. This is also the apt market place to look out for buffalo horn carvings, coir products and miniature snake boats for souvenirs. Kozhikode is famous for its Calico - a soft printed cotton variety that is available only on SM road.

31 Travel Bug KUMARAKOM Yet another jewel in the crown of God s Own Country - Kerala, is the pristine, tropical city of Kumarakom. This cluster of small picturesque islands around the Vembanad lake, with its beautiful landscapes and scenic environs is a perfect holiday spot. This small town was established by the Indian government as a part of its special preservation effort. The soil found in the region is fertile, the numerous paddy fields, mangrove forests, and coconut groves found stand testimony to this fact. The lush greenery is an amazing sight and is a treat for the eyes. The island is popular among honeymooners looking for peace and solitude. Thousands of migratory birds flock to this area every year. Bird watchers flock here each year to catch a glimpse of the various birds visiting the island. This beautiful island has numerous small fishing skiffs throughout the town. With both salt water and fresh water surrounding Kumarakom, several varieties of fishes are found here. Excellent marine and freshwater fish including tasty karimeen (also known as pearl spotted fish), shrimp, and prawns are available in the area making it perfect to enjoy a lip smacking sea food platter. Experience the backwaters and rejuvenate your senses with an ayurvedic massage, which is popular in the region. Getting There By Air Kochi International Airport, also known as Nedumbassery International Airport, is the best option for those who arrive by air. The airport is located at a distance of about 80 km from the town of Kumarakom. Kochi airport is good connectivity to and from all major cities in India. Travellers can avail taxi services from the airport to reach Kumarakom. By Train There is no railway station in Kumarakom. Those who travel by train can get down at Kottayam railway station, which is at a distance of about 15 km from Kumarakom. Kottayam railway station is well-connected to other Indian cities such as, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi and Mumbai. By Road Kerala State Transport buses (KSRTC) as well as private buses are available to Kumarakom from Kottayam. Luxury buses run regular services to major south Indian cities like Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai. Source: Compiled From The Internet 31

32 Body and Soul 32 Tea has been used for centuries, not only for drinking pleasure but also in the treatment of many health complaints. Herbal tea is not only made from the leaves of a plant but may also include the seeds, flowers or roots. Any of these components may be steeped in hot water and consumed. Herbal tea is caffeine-free and has many health benefits. If you have ever wandered down the tea aisle of your local supermarket or health-food shop you would know the selection of herbal tea is huge which can be overwhelming if you don't know what you are looking for. Is Herbal Tea The Key To Better Health?

33 Body and Soul Herbal Teas To Try : Peppermint: Commonly used to enhance digestion and soothe an upset stomach. Peppermint tea is often made from tea bags; however you can make it yourself quite easily. Snip a few leaves from a mint plant, place in a cup, and then add boiling water. Let it steep for a few minutes. Lemon balm: Perfect for those suffering from anxiety. It is useful for treating stress, depression and sleeplessness. It may also relieve digestive tract spasms and abdominal cramps. Dandelion: The ideal liver cleanser and detoxifier. It is also a diuretic and helps with fluid retention. Dandelion tea has a mild flavor and is a green color. Dandelion root can also be consumed as a warm drink. It has a stronger flavor and is dark brown. Dandelion root is often used as a coffee substitute. Nettle: Useful for easing intestinal disorders, high blood pressure, arthritis and gout. Nettle tea may increase milk production in nursing mothers and can help prevent prostate problems in men. If you haven't drunk nettle tea before, start with one cup a day for a week, then increase to two or three cups a day. Rosemary: A garden herb that acts as a circulatory stimulant and has a calming effect on digestion, benefiting intestinal cramps and colic. Rosemary tea is made by adding one teaspoon of dried leaves to one cup of boiled water. Steep for 10 minutes and strain. Chamomile: An easy-to-drink tea that may soothe a child's stomach aches and pains. For adults, chamomile can help with insomnia, acting as a mild sedative. It may also relieve menstrual cramps. Rose Hip: The tea is derived from the edible fruits of rose plants. It is reddish-orange in color and high in antioxidants including vitamin C. It is a good sugar-free substitute for orange juice. Licorice: A sweet-tasting tea, it has been used for centuries for a variety of health applications. Its soothing and expectorant properties make it suitable for lung and bronchial complaints or coughs and mucous congestion. Drinking it hot has the added benefits associated with inhaling steam and further soothes respiratory congestion. Cinnamon: Great for regulating blood-sugar levels and managing sugar cravings. Cinnamon's effect on blood-sugar makes it the perfect tea for diabetics or those trying to lose weight. Cinnamon tea is available in tea bags or you can make it yourself with cinnamon sticks and boiling water. Fennel: Has a flavor similar to licorice and is good for calming an upset stomach and indigestion. It can be useful as a slimming aid as it may suppress the appetite and reduce hunger. Crushed fennel seeds are most commonly used to make this tea. Source: Compiled From The Internet 33

34 Foodie s Delight Winter Vegetable Soup 34 Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 1/4 cup chopped onions 2 bayleaf (tejpatta) 1/4 cup chopped french beans 1/4 cup carrot cubes 1/4 cup potato cubes 1/4 cup cauliflower florets 3/4 cup shredded cabbage 1/4 cup tomato cubes, deseeded 1 vegetarian seasoning cubes and salt to taste Source: Tarla Dalal For The Garnish 2 tbsp chopped parsley 2 tbsp grated processed cheese Method Heat the oil in a deep pan, add the onions and bayleaves and sauté on a medium flame for a minute. Add the french beans, carrots, potatoes and cauliflower, mix well and sauté on a medium flame for 5 to 7 minutes. Add 4 cups of water and cook on a medium flame for 20 minutes. Add the cabbage, tomato, seasoning cubes salt and pepper and cook on a medium flame for another 3 to 4 minutes. Serve hot garnished with parsley and cheese.

35 Foodie s Delight UNDHIYO 35 Ingredients Potatoes, 2 inch cubes, 2 large Purple Yam (kand),2 inch cubes, 400 grams Fresh pigeon peas (kacha tuvar), 1 cup Surti papdi, split, 1 cup Brinjals, split with steam intake, 6-8 small Raw bananas, 2 inch pieces Fresh green garlic, finely chopped, 1/2 cup Fresh coriander leaves, chopped, 1 cup Fresh green peas, crushed, 1 cup Coconut, scraped, 1 cup Green chilli paste, 2 tbsp Sugar, 2 tbsp Lemon juice, 1 tbsp Ginger paste, 1 tbsp Salt to taste Oil to deep fry Carom seeds (ajwain), 1 tsp For Muthiya Whole wheat flour (atta), 1 cup Gram flour (besan), 1/4 cup Fenugreek leaves (methi),finely chopped, 1/2 cup Turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp Red chilli powder, 1 tsp Salt to taste Sugar, 1 tsp

36 Foodie s Delight Method To make muthiyas, mix all the ingredients and three tablespoons of oil into a stiff dough. Divide into small portions and shape each into one-inch long half-inch thick rolls. Heat sufficient oil in a kadhai and deep-fry the muthiyas on medium heat till cooked through and light golden. Drain and place on an absorbent paper and set aside. In the same oil lightly fry the potatoes and purple yam separately till light golden. Drain and place on an absorbent paper and set aside. For the stuffing mix together green garlic, coriander leaves, green peas, coconut, green chilli paste, a pinch of sugar, lemon juice, ginger paste and salt in a bowl. Stuff some of this stuffing mixture into the slits of brinjals and raw banana pieces. Heat two tablespoons of the oil left after deep frying. Add ajwain and sauté. Add leelva tuvar and surti papdi and stir. Add half a cup of water and salt, cover and cook for two to three minutes. Open the lid and sprinkle a little of the stuffing mixture. Place the brinjals in a layer over this. Sprinkle a little of the stuffing mixture over this too. Place the raw banana pieces in a layer and once again sprinkle some of the stuffing mixture. Over this place a layer of the fried potatoes and purple yam and sprinkle the remaining stuffing mixture. Drizzle two to three tablespoons of oil all around and over the top. Toss lightly. Cover and cook on very low heat for ten minutes. Open the lid and place the muthiyas, cover once again and cook on very low heat for about half an hour or till all the vegetables are completely done and soft. Serve hot with puris. Source: Sajeev Kapoor 36

37 Foodie s Delight Gajar Ka Halwa Ingredients 2 cups grated carrot 2 cups low fat milk 6 tbsp skimmed milk powder 3 gms sugarite or 4 tsp sugar 1/2 tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder Method Combine the carrots with the milk and pressure cook for 2 whistles. Add the milk powder, SugaRite/sugar and cardamom powder and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, while stirring continuously. Serve hot. 37 Source: Tarla Dalal

38 Best Employee Indore Name: Mahesh Rathore Designation: Dealer ( Commodity ) Department: Non Sales Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: Sept, 2010 Criteria For Selection: He is hard working and also dedicated towards his responsibilities. He maintains good relationship with clients which, in turn, motivates them to trade with us. Kolhapur Kerala Name: Sandeep Jadhav Designation: Branch Manager Department: Equity Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: Oct, 2008 Criteria For Selection: Consistency is his strength and he is known for his consistent performance. Name: Robin Joy P Designation: Relationship Manager Department: Sales Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: Oct, 2010 Criteria For Selection: He has generated highest revenue in Kerala region. He is hard working, dedicated, trustworthy and maintains good customer relations. Also, he gives excellent support to our business associates. 38

39 Best Employee Kota Name: Maruti Nandan Gupta Designation: Sr. Relationship Manager Department: Commodity Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: June, 2011 Criteria For Selection: He is the highest revenue generator with Rs 1,56,911 (December) and Rs 5,28,000 (quarter), above 10 x, logged 40+ accounts in December. He has always been on top whether it is in terms of revenue or any account opening contest. He is a role model for all new people in the industry. Ludhiana Name: Vikas Lekhi Designation: Sr. Equity Dealer Department: Dealing Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: Mar, 2010 Criteria For Selection: He topped in terms of revenue in the branch. In spite of being a dealer, he opened 30 new accounts with margin. Also, he been a consistent performer from the Ludhiana branch since the time he joined us. Mumbai - Business Development (Malad) Name: Shraddha Ambokar Designation: Senior Executive Department: Business Development Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: May, 2010 Criteria For Selection: He is hard working and co operative. Also, he maintains good co-ordination with business associates and colleagues. 39

40 Best Employee Mumbai - Depositary Services (Malad) Name: Reji John Designation: Manager Department: DP Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: Jan, 1989 Criteria For Selection: He is hard working, dedicated and honest. Mumbai - Equity Research Retail (Lower Parel) Name: Silky Jain Designation: Research Analyst Department: Equity Research (Retail) Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: Jan, 2011 Criteria For Selection: Highest number of calls given by her have hit target in December. Mumbai - Institutional Equities (Lower Parel) Name: Neha Grover Designation: AVP Sales Department: Institutional Equities Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: Nov, 2010 Criteria For Selection: She has taken good care of handling sales and administrative responsibilities and is hardworking and committed to the tasks provided to her. 40

41 Best Employee Mumbai - KYC (Malad) Name: Bindu Pandey Designation: Executive Department: KYC Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: Apr, 2011 Criteria For Selection: She is hard working, dedicated and honest. Mumbai - Risk Management (Malad) Name: Dhanashree Tanaji Misal Designation: Executive Department: RMS Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: Mar, 2008 Criteria For Selection: He handles all the work efficiently and maintains good rapport with all clients. Mumbai - Surveillance (Malad) Name: Sandesh Sawant Designation: Manager Department: Operations Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: Nov, 2009 Criteria For Selection: He is sincere and dedicated towards his work. 41

42 Best Employee Patiala Name: Rekha Kapoor Designation: Executive Department: Operations Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: Sept, 2010 Criteria For Selection: She is honest, hard-working and dedicated. She takes initiative and works whole-heartedly. Pune Name: Priya Barge Designation: Co-ordinator HR/Admin. Department: Equity Associated With Nirmal Bang Since: Dec, 2010 Criteria For Selection: She is very sincere and has a will-do atttitude. Also, she is sportive and a good team player. She is recognized for her high energy and efficient work. Her contribution towards her responsibilities is truly remarkable. 42

43 Fabulous Forwards EVERYTHING MEANS SOMETHING.. BE THANKFUL! FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO, BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS. FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT S only dal and roti tonight, BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE. FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS. FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED. FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS. 43

44 Fabulous Forwards FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT. FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME. FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.. FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION. 44

45 Fabulous Forwards FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL BECAUSE IT MEANS FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD. I AM WARM. FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE. FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR. 45 Source: Compiled From The Internet

46 FUN N FROLIC Too Much of TechnoLogy (Cartoons) 46

47 FUN N FROLIC 47 Source: Compiled From The Internet

48 Word Play WORD Clamber MEANING To climb or move with difficulty or a lot of effort, using your hands and feet Sentence The children clambered up the steep bank Duress Threats or force that are used to make somebody do something Sentence He signed the confession under duress Epicurean Having luxurious tastes or habits, especially in eating and drinking Sentence It was an epicurean dish, fit for royalty Gambol To jump or run about in a lively way Sentence The lambs were gamboling in the meadow Torpid Lethargic, not active; with no energy or enthusiasm 48 Sentence Torpid turtles were tanning in the sun

49 Quizzical Quizzical - 7 Have a look at these strange watches. What time should be shown on the face of the fifth? 15:14:01 12:18:00 08:26:58 03:42:55 49 Hey guys, thank you for a stupendous response to the previous quiz. Now get ready for the next round of quizzical. Answer the question mentioned above along with the reason and win the cash prize. So, put on your thinking caps and send us your answer on or before Thursday, 31st January. Two entries will win a cash prize of `500 each. Hurry!!! Mail your answer to [email protected]. *The winners will be chosen on a random basis.

50 Quizzical Answer of Quizzical 6 1 The Sum of the pairs of numbers facing each other equals 21 2 The Sequence here is less one dot, plus two dots, and the box rotates in a clockwise direction for each dot The lucky winners of Quizzical - 6 are: Swapnil Tambe (Malad) and Sunit Mehta (Lower Parel) Star Performers Name Department Location Examination Cleared University/Institute Score Ashok Kumar Commodity Punjab NISM_Currency Derivatives NSE 79.75% 50 Name Department Location Examination Cleared University/Institute Score Vinod Vilas Jalvi RMS (Admin) Malad NISM_Currency Derivatives NSE 87.75%

51 Kiran V Uchil Divya Bhurat Sachin Kamble Sagar Padwal Disclaimer: This newsletter has been prepared solely for the employees of The Nirmal Bang Group. The information is prepared on the basis of information available on the Internet and sources have been attributed wherever necessary. Moreover, the information mentioned herein is meant for general reading purpose and not to serve as a professional guide. 51