Author: The Metrognome

Categories
Overdose

Tommy has a request

Jatin SharmaJatin Sharma reprints a written request from a canine acquaintance, in view of Diwali that will soon be upon us.

This week I apologise to all of you because I have not written a column. Instead, I have just typed out a letter I received from a dog. Yes, I know it would have been believable if I had said that the letter came from a pigeon or a dove. We have seen them delivering letters and there’s even a famous Hindi film song vouching for their good postal skills. But I kid you not – I really received this letter from a dog.

This dog is a stray who meets me every morning when I leave for office. Sometimes I look into his eyes and I can see him mutely apologising to me, and when I see the wet tyres of my car, I know why. Yesterday, this same dog came up to me and delivered a letter. This is what it said:

LETTER FROM TOMMY (that’s what Indian people like to call me)

‘Hello,
I am Tommy. I am a stray dog from Andheri East. First of all, I want to say ‘thank you’ to all of those staying in JB Nagar, Andheri East for providing me with food every day. Thank you for the rotis and biscuits that you feed me every time I give you guys a sorry look. It has been amazing chasing your cars and bikes, and I love how you guys are startled every time I spring out at you and bark violently. I just do it for fun. I really never wanted to hurt you guys. You know there is not much we can do as dogs. We just eat and roam around. So we don’t have many activities to kill time.

I am writing this letter to Jatin Sharma, as I know he works with the media and writes a column too (that most people ignore). So I am writing this letter to get him to know my views. I hope he makes this go viral. I mean, imagine a dog writing a letter (!), it will definitely get some ‘shares’. But I didn’t write this letter only to chit-chat: I had a selfish reason.

dogs terrified on diwaliI am scared. Petrified, actually, because I hear Diwali is round the corner.

Yes yes, I know about Diwali being the best festival of India, but you people go a little overboard with the festivities. I know it’s also the most important festival that is about lights and new dresses and bursting crackers. But this Diwali I have a request; a request that only asks you to think of me. Every festival has a way to celebrate. It’s a celebration of life, we too have a dog festival where on a full moon day, we keep chasing cars after getting drunk. But we never intend to harm any one of you. Yes, we do bite you sometimes, but you can take that as a revenge for kicking us for without a reason.

So getting to the point, please please please don’t burst crackers near residential areas. I am not asking you to stop bursting crackers. I am just asking you to take me into consideration. I have very sharp ears, and because of that, any sound is magnified twice when I hear it. When you burst crackers, just be considerate. I have a life, too.

Diwali is a festival of lights. All the simple rituals of Diwali have a significance and a story to tell. The lighting of homes with lights and of the skies with firecrackers is an expression of respect to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. Some people believe that the bursting of fire-crackers indicates the joy that people living on earth, making the Gods aware of their plentiful state. Another possible reason, albeit a more scientific one, is that the fumes produced by the crackers kill a lot of insects and mosquitoes, which are found in plenty after the rains. But the second reason doesn’t really hold true in an age where you have vaporisers, mosquito mats and killing raquets to kill mosquitoes.

Could you please not burst crackers this year? We dogs get scared on the nights that crackers are burst non-stop, and we don’t know what to do. The sight of fire and the loud sound thatcrackers it makes, makes it very difficult for us. We meet with accidents and lose our sense of direction because of all this. Last Diwali, I had to go to a doctor – I had started defecating without my knowledge and had also become very aggressive. The doctor said that it was due to post-Diwali cracker stress.

Once again I request you to please think of us dogs before you fire a cracker this year. If we dogs and other household pets seem useless to you, then at least spare a thought for asthamatic human patients who go through hell during the days of Diwali.

If you promise to support us and not burst crackers this year, then I will ask all the stray dogs around not to chase after your bikes and bite you. I am now signing off because I see somebody throwing a frisbee and I have to go catch it.

Regards,
Tommy Bow Wow’

Jatin Sharma is a media professional who doesn’t want to grow up, because if he grows up, he will be like everybody else. ‘Overdose’ is Jatin’s weekly take on Mumbai’s quirks and quibbles.

(Pictures courtesy gratefuldogsrescue.org, www.chicagonow.com, www.visithyd.com)

Categories
Wellness

Get rid of skin pigmentation naturally

If uneven skin tone, sun spots and blotchy skin are making you look old, we’ve got all the right solutions.
by Deepa Mistry

If you have been noticing a difference in your skin tone or patches, you might be suffering from hyperpigmentation.

pigmentationPigmentation can be of two types – Hypopigmentation and Hyperpigmentation. Hypopigmentation (a decrease in skin pigmentation) is a condition in which patches of skin become lighter or whiter in colour than the normal surrounding skin, while Hyperpigmentation is characterised by a darkening of an area of skin caused by the overproduction of pigment or melanin and is commonly known and usually a harmless condition. Pigmentation occurs in people of any gender, race and age.

Pigmentation is caused due to genetics, sun exposure, stress, hormonal changes during pregnancy or birth control pills, menopause, insulin resistance, damage to the skin due to injury or overly aggressive skin care treatment, or even the frequent use of hair dyes. Tattoos may also cause it.

Some people also suffer from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, usually noticed after an acne breakout.  Since the face is exposed to most of the harmful factors, especially over-exposure of the sun, hyperpigmentation doesn’t only affect the face but can occur on almost any part of the body.

It can be an embarrassing condition at times, though it is mostly harmless. However, if the condition is serious you must visit a dermatologist at the earliest. Various treatments are available, like creams and laser treatments, chemical peels and light treatments, as they are the most preferred and tend to work on the skin faster and provide early recovery. But if you wish to treat pigmentation naturally and effectively without recourse to harsh and chemical-laden products, you could try some of the following home remedies on a regular basis.

Try these:

– The simplest: a paste of milk and honey on the affected areas. You can also mix curd with it. Since milk and curd contain lactic acid, they peel off the affected skin after a period of vegetable juicestime, leaving skin beautiful. This cure works wonders on hyperpigmentation.

– Vegetable juices from tomatoes, cucumber and potato should be applied on skin. These lighten pigmentation and suit all skin types. This also leaves skin soothing and fresh all day. You could also try mixing lime juice with honey.

– Peel an avocado, mash it and apply the juice on pigmented skin.

– Vitamin E is a must in one’s diet as it is known as a skin Vitamin. Try massaging Vitamin E oil on pigmented skin as it requires more care than normal skin.

oatmeal face pack– Face masks can really work wonders over pigmented skin. Try these:

  • Oatmeal face pack: mix oatmeal, honey and milk. Apply and wash after it dries off completely.
  • Sandalwood pack: mix sandalwood powder and turmeric powder and milk. Apply on affected areas.
  • Orange peel: dry orange peel (powdered), cold raw milk and honey. Apply on affected areas and wash after half an hour.
  • Make a paste of mint leaves with a dash of milk and apply on affected areas. It soothes the skin.

– Use cocoa butter cream every day on skin.

– Aloe vera, olive oil and almond oil are the safest and most effective remedies for damaged skin.

– Last but not least, we recommend you apply sun screen before you step out. Direct exposure to the sun harms the skin and is one major reason for pigmentation.

– Practice yoga and avoid consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. This will not only help avoid pigmentation but also make skin look younger and glowing.

We hope our solutions help you solve your skin troubles and look beautiful again.

(Pictures courtesy foodtruthonline.com, www.stylecraze.com, www.beautyfrontline.com)

Categories
Enough said

Of old-fashioned remedies and exploring nature

We have turned our backs on the natural medicines our country offers us, putting our faith in expensive, chemical cures.
Humra Quraishiby Humra Quraishi

For the last two days, I have been plucking and piling up leaves. My nephew has been down with dengue and the only natural cure for it is papaya leaves, or rather the papaya pulp and juice. Also, with my diabetes playing hide-and-seek with me, I was told that the only way out was to chew guava leaves.

I went to the nearest nursery but it was too fashionable to stock our ‘outdated’ amrood plants. The jeans-clad maali rattled off the names of some japani-chini-vilayati imported plants that the nursery had, so I had to take my leave. But not one to give up, I went to a far-away orchard full of guava trees and plucked some off the trees. Since then, I have been chewing on them like a goat. With my usual dal roti, these leaves are becoming a staple part of my diet.

There are so many benefits to be explored from nature’s bounty, but we often overlook them. My doctor, Dr GP Sharma, has been insisting for so long, “You are fortunate that that younatural medicines are a diabetic in India, for there are so many natural remedies available – jamun, neem, cinnamon, karela, bhindi, several herbs and seeds, so many trees and shrubs. All of these are natural ways to combat high blood sugar levels.”

But to recap from diabetes to dengue, it is now becoming obvious that dengue is fast becoming something to fear. It is virulent and severe, with mosquitoes thriving (or should I say, allowed to thrive) by the municipal authorities, who are unable to clear up the mess even around our health centres. If this state of affair continues, we may have to trash the oft-quoted ‘A for apple, B for ball…’ for a newer version of the alphabet that our future generations can easily relate to. We might have to teach them, ‘M for mosquito, D for dengue, C for corruption, K for killer…’

And while we have been paying little heed to nature and whatever it can do for, nature seems to be getting back at mankind, too. First the havoc at Uttarakhand, now along our country’s coastline. And even in the midst of the chaos, we see, perhaps only in our country, that in the midst of the stampede, those stranded devotees are not rescued but thrown into rivers and nullahs! This happened this week in Madhya Pradesh, when hapless devotees were flung into nullahs and rivers by dreaded Chambal dacoits by MP cops.

And even as we grapple with everyday worries – inflation, infectious diseases, cyclones, corruption – the election fever slowly catches on and makes fools of us all in several different ways. But that’s a column for another time.

Humra Quraishi is a senior political journalist based in Gurgaon. She is the author of Kashmir: The Untold Story and co-author of Simply Khushwant.

(Pictures courtesy www.nytimes.com, www.hemroidharry.com)

Categories
Beauty

Brush it off

One makeup product, so many brushes! If you’re wondering what to use when, it’s time to take a short tutorial.
by Ankita Pathak

Let us just admit that the number of brushes that exist for a single makeup product can be overwhelming. And once you zone in on a specific shape, material, and brand, what exactly do you use it for? Well, that’s where we come into the picture! Read on for essential brushes that every girl should have and what they’re used for.

stipple brushThe Stipple Brush 

The flat head foundation brush, also known as the Stipple Brush, is perfect for a smooth foundation application. All you need to do is pour a little foundation on the back of your hand, dip the brush onto it and stipple it across your face. The flat head will give you an airbrushed, high-definition and even finish within seconds.

The Powder Brush

This fluffy brush is ideal for your compact and loose powders. The brush picks up less product than a normal puff and provides an even, matte finish on top of your foundation. Made with natural hair bristles, a powder brush is meant for the areas of the face that tend to shine: between your brows, around and on the tip of your nose, your upper lip and your chin. This allows the rest of your face to glow and breathe.

powder brush

eyeliner brushThe Eyeliner Brush

This flat stiff liner brush (in pic on left) is a great tool to apply liquid or gel liners in the inner and outer lash line. The stiff head makes it easier to apply the liner right next to your lashes, filling any extra gaps that your normal eyeliner brush fails to. For the cat-eye lovers, this is a must have brush as it’s a great little tool to create a precise and even line. Want to use this for more than eyeliner? Put it to use as a brow brush to fill in spots for fuller and dark brows.

The Blending Brushblending brush

As the name suggests, the blending brush can harmoniously blend shades by creating soft edges, without wiping away the colour of your eyeshadow. A windshield wiper motion with the brush can help in blending and mixing colour, just right for the smoky eye. Another use? Swap the brush to apply your concealer in areas difficult to reach.

The Angled Blush Brush

The slanted shape of the angled blush brush offers precise application for a sculpted look. With the angled side, set the brush on your cheeks to sweep on that gorgeous blush colour. Turn the brush around and use the slimmer side for contouring with a bronzer or highlighter. This brush helps in highlighting the features as it enhances the hollows of your face for a great chiselled look.

angled blush brush

(Featured image courtesy missmwah.wordpress.com)

Categories
Tech

Kobo enters the Indian market with four devices

Global eBooks company launches three E-ink readers and an Android tablet to mark its first foray into India. A preview.
by Manik Kakra

Kobo, the global eBooks company, has launched three E-ink reader and one Android tablet to mark their entrance into India. The company has tied up with Croma for retail, and Crossword and WHSmith for content. Let’s take a look at the devices launched:

Kobo Touch (in featured image above): This is the low-end eBook reader from Kobo that has a 6-inch E-Ink equipped touchscreen, and has got 2 GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 32 GB via microSD card. The screen has got no glare, and it adjusts to brightness on its own, without providing to the user any brightness settings to choose from. The Kobo Touch has been launched at a price of Rs 6,999.

Kobo ArcKobo Arc (in pic on left): This is an Android 4.1 tablet with Kobo’s own Arc UI on top. It has got the Kobo app pre-loaded for reading your content on the device. Powered by TI’s 4470 SoC, along with 1 GB of RAM, this tablet has got a 7-inch (1280 x 800) screen. It is available for Rs 9,999.

Kobo Glo: The Glo is an eBook reader with a 6-inch E-Ink powered touchscreen that has got light to read in dark, without having to worry about lights around you. The company claims that its battery can provide a backup of up to two months. This reader is available for Rs 10,999.

Kobo Aura HD: This is the only HD eBook reader from the company. It has a 6.8-inch (1440 x 1080) touchscreen. Powered by a 1 GHz Freescale chipet, along with 2 GB of RAM, this one also comes with expandable storage of up to 32 GB. This device is launched at a price point of Rs 13,999.

All the devices are equipped with WiFi a/b/g/n, nd have microSD card slot, plus microUSB for connectivity. The first three E-Ink readers have got Kobo’s proprietary eBook software, while the Arc comes with Arc on top of Android 4.1.

All these readers are available from today, and come with five free eBooks, available for reading for first few weeks, to buyers. You can also get a cover for your device, available from the same stores. The Kobo app is available for iOS, Android and BlackBerry OS, and allows you to sync your Kobo library across your devices.

Categories
Wellness

City gets its first private geriatric clinic

PD Hinduja Hospital opens multi-disciplinary geriatric clinic from today; wants to create awareness of gerontology and devise specific treatment plans.
by the Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Considering the high numbers of senior citizens in the country and the fact that by 2050, India will have the second highest numbers of elderly in the world (after China), it is a bit strange that there are not too many hospitals looking into specialised elderly care. Alarmingly, at least a third of this huge population will live alone and require care.

Dr._Preeti_Chhabria_Hearteningly, one of the city’s premier private hospitals, PD Hinduja Hospital, is opening the city’s first geriatric clinic today, on an OPD (Out Patient Department) basis. Says Dr Preeti Chhabria (in pic on left), consultant in internal medicine and who was instrumental in setting up the clinic, “As people age, there are several changes taking place in their bodies, which are accepted as ‘normal’ by virtue of ageing. We want to bring about the awareness of gerontology, and the idea that it is not necessary to accept these signs of ageing as normal.”

She says that these psychological and physical changes cause a sense of ‘burden’ in the elderly. “Their bodies change and their mobility is affected. Add to that the sense of being dependent, both financially and emotionally, on their children, plus the grief of losing children or the spouse, and the person undergoes a lot of pressure in his daily life,” Dr Chhabria explains. “The elderly suffer in silence because people around them may not be aware of or sensitive to the pressure that they are under.”

What to expect at the clinic

Dr Chhabria has worked in the field of elder care in the US for 15 years, and will use her experience in the multi-disciplinary clinic. There will be three doctors in attendance at the clinic – a consultant for internal medicine, a psychologist and a physiotherapist, all working in tandem to devise the best treatment plan for each patient. “We would evaluate their physical and mental status, and we would follow a ‘grading system’ for each patient. We have clinical scales for grading, to include the parameters Normal, Grey and Mild/Moderate Dementia. Anybody qualifying for the last scale is immediately brought to the attention of their families.

“The testing procedures we follow are fairly accurate, to the extent that we can determine if a person is suffering from ageing-related factors or if his or her condition is the product of other factors like illness or stress,” Dr Chhabria explains. The testing also involves evaluating a person’s mood, checking cognitive function and testing memory.

DSC_0033Back to the future

Dr Chhabria says that such a clinic is necessary in an environment that is extremely “tunnel visioned” towards providing only for the youth. “Geriatrics is the other end of the spectrum from paediatrics. In our daily lives, the young have to be aware of the fact that they are going to be caregivers for the elderly, and that they have to ensure that their old age is safe and peaceful. The elderly should not be marginalised, but taken care of with love and empathy.” In the future, Dr Chhabria says there are plans to offer counselling to caregivers of the elderly.

The clinic will remain open on Thursdays between 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. Please call the clinic on 022 39818181/67668181 for appointments and more details.

(Pictures courtesy PD Hinduja Hospital)

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