10 Mohammed Rafi songs with a theme of nostalgia, memory, separation & longing

July 30, 2020

To mark Mohammed Rafi’s 40th death anniversary on July 31, Narendra Kusnur chose 10 tunes with a common emotion of ‘yaad’

It’s been 40 years since the legendary Mohammed Rafi left us. His songs, of course, remain immortal, and are played in large numbers at tribute concerts, retro radio shows or talent hunt competitions.

Creating a list of only 10 Rafi songs would be impossible. Even if we chose happy songs, romantic songs or sad songs, any number would be inadequate.

To mark his 40th death anniversary on July 31, we decided to pick 10 tunes with a common theme of nostalgia, memory, separation and longing. Some of them would either be classified as sad or romantic, but the emotion of ‘yaad’ is expressed on many of these songs. The order is chronological.

1 Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki – Dulari (1949)

One of the early hits combining the talents of Rafi, music director Naushad and lyricist Shakeel Badayuni, this was picturised on Suresh, with a cameo by Madhubala. The lines “Tadap rahe hain hum yahaan tumhare intezaar mein” explained the song’s mood.

2 Aapne Yaad Dilaya Tha – Aarti (1962)

“Aapne yaad dilaya tha toh mujhe yaad aaya, ke mere dil pe padaa tha koi gham ka saaya”, sang Rafi in his ghazal picturised on Pradeep Kumar and Meena Kumari. Lata Mangeshkar came on at the end of this song composed by Roshan and penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

3 Yaad Na Jaaye – Dil Ek Mandir (1963)

A nostalgia-filled beauty composed by Shankar-Jaikishen and written by Shailendra. The lines “Din jo pakheru hote pinjare mein main rakh leta, paalta unko jatan se, moti ke daane deta, seene se rehta lagaaye” were outstanding. The song was filmed on Rajendra Kumar, with Meena Kumari appearing in the flashback scenes.

4 Yaad Mein Teri Jaag Jaag Ke – Mere Mehboob (1963)

Rafi and Mangeshkar combined on this gem with Shakeel Badayuni writing “Yaad mein teri jaag jaag ke hum, raat bhar karvate badalte rahe”. Filmed on Rajendra Kumar and Sadhna, the song was composed by Naushad.

5. Woh Jab Yaad Aaye – Parasmani (1963)

This was Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s first film as a duo, with Asad Bhopali writing the lyrics. The song, sung by Rafi and Mangeshkar began, “Woh jab yaad aaye, bahut yaad aaye”. It was a huge success.

6. Din Dhal Jaaye – Guide (1965)

An immortal song picturised on Dev Anand and Waheeda Rahman. S.D. Burman composed this tune, with Shailendra writing “Din dhal jaaye haaye, raat na aaye, Tu toh na aaye teri yaad sataaye”. This is often featured in Rafi and Dev Anand greatest hits compilations.

7 Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya – Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (1966)

Music directors Sonik-Omi did a wonderful job with G.L. Rawal writing the lyrics. The song featured Rafi singing for Dharmendra, Suman Kalyanpur for Nutan and Mukesh for Rahman. Beautifully shot in a shikara at the Dal Lake, Srinagar, it was a huge hit.

8. Hum Intezaar Karenge – Bahu Begum (1967)

https://youtu.be/Wv-nN_9n4j0

Sahir Ludhianvi penned the words “Hum intezaar karenge tera qayamat tak, khuda kare ke qayamat ho, aur tu aaye” to Roshan’s tune. The song was in two versions – a Rafi solo and an Asha Bhosle-Rafi rendition. Pradeep Kumar and Meena Kumari appeared on screen.

9. Hui Shaam Unka Khayal Aaya – Mere Humdum Mere Dost (1968)

https://youtu.be/IHPxU4TgnvE

In an inebriated role, Dharmendra appeared in this song where Sharmila Tagore was seen in the opening shots. Music was by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and lyrics were by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The song became a favourite among dejected lovers and tipplers.

10. Tum Mujhe Yoon Bhula Na Paaoge – Pagla Kahin Ka (1970)

This hit was in two versions, by Rafi and Mangeshkar. Hasrat Jaipuri’s words were set to tune by Shankar-Jaikishen. The lines “Woh baharein woh chandni raatein, humne ki thi jo pyar ki baatein” symbolised the song’s emotion.

PLA Artillery Technology Absorption, Force Levels and Capabilities

Brig GB Reddy (Retd)

July 29, 2020

PLA Artillery Technology Absorption, Force Levels and Capabilities

Understanding the four most significant breakthroughs in PLA artillery is vital to draw conclusion of their capabilities, writes Brig GB Reddy (Retd)

China has made extraordinary advancements in artillery particularly in the wheeled and Multi Barrel Launch Rocket Artillery systems (MRLS) but more significantly in the “munitions” field.

In 1944, Joseph Stalin hailed artillery as “the God of War”. During introductory lecture on Artillery in 1959 at the Military Academy, Artillery was termed as the “King of the battlefield”; and the Infantry was known as the “Queen of the battlefield”.

Also, highlighted in 1959 was that the real weapon is the “Shell”. Guns, howitzers and mortars are delivery means or platforms. Ironically, the narrative of debates, if any, focuses only on the number of delivery means; but not on the “Munitions” to inflict destruction.

Following state-of-the-art technology developments (Technology Age), there are tremendous transformations in the artillery combat systems. Recently truck-mounted howitzers are replacing traditional tracked artillery systems, exploiting inherent mobility for shoot-and-scoot type attacks and other advantages to include:

rapid and remote automatic loading system;
maximum range from 30 km with ordinary projectile, 40 km with rocket-assisted projectile and 60 km with Excalibur extended range precision guided projectiles and compatible with Bonus precision guided projectiles;
multiple-round simultaneous impact firing capability – fires up to 6 rounds in 30 seconds, each in different trajectories, so that all of the shells arrive on target at the same time;
Brief redeployment time – Out of action time is also as short as 30 seconds – allows to avoid counter-battery fire;
Less expensive to produce and to maintain, but as capable as tracked artillery systems;
More mobile agile than towed howitzers; provide both indirect and direct-fire capability; and some have armored cabs.

Understanding the four most significant breakthroughs in PLA artillery is vital to draw conclusion of their capabilities and includes:

China holds the 6 positions in the Top 10 of the MLRS: PHL-03, PHL–16, AR-1A, WS-2, A-200/300 and A-100.
Precision guided munitions.
SP wheeled category in top 10: SH-15 truck-mounted howitzer/PLC-181 New 155 mm truck-mounted wheeled self-propelled (SP) howitzer;
SP tracked category in Top 10: PLZ-52 SP 155 mm, and PLZ-05 155 mm howitzers; and PLZ-07 122 mm to replace the PLZ-89 with a third generation gun;

Of the four outlined above, China has made most significant breakthrough in the MRLS and precision guided munitions systems. Key highlights are reviewed below:

PHL 03: Reportedly entered service in 2004-2005; Maximum range 70-130 km depending on the warhead type and also reportedly a maximum range of 150 km; 12 tubes for 300 mm rockets with digital fire control system and operated by a crew of 4; standard rocket weights around 800 kg and has a 280 kg warhead; High Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG), fuel-air explosive, and cluster warheads with anti-armor and anti-personnel sub munitions. Cluster warheads may also carry self-targeting anti-tank munitions; Full salvo potentially cover an area of up to 67 hectares; and paved the way for AR1, AR1A and the AR3, which is currently the most powerful system of this type.

PHL-16 or PCH-191: uses 370 mm guided rockets, is a modified version of the previous AR3 – maximum range of 220 km – with armored cab. It can be configured to use rockets of different caliber. As per reports, it is capable of launching tactical ballistic missiles and anti-ship missiles.
WS-2, WS-2, A-200/300 and A-100: Export versions.

In the field of Precision Guided Munitions, the Chinese have made significant breakthroughs. Their professional details have appeared in the June 2020 CLAWS magazine. China’s WS-35 155 mm guided projectile, maximum range of 100 km and accuracy of 40 meters, 1,620 mm length and weighs 18 kg using GPS (BeiDou) and INS (for backup) with ‘four tail stability wings’ and ‘four stability wings’ on the warhead to adjust the flight attitude mainly intended for the PLZ-05 is capable of firing rocket assisted shells. At the top of the trajectory, the front part, which integrates navigation sensors, a GNSS receiver, antenna, control devices and possibly a seeker, is roll-decoupled. Then the wings are unfolded that helps to gain additional range.

Furthermore, the characteristics of Chinese CM-501 system that appeared in the AR3 include: handling of a number of different sizes of their Spike non-line-of-rockets that are stored and fired from pods designed to operate from the same AR3 8×8 heavy truck; capable of launching tactical ballistic missiles and anti-ship missiles; configured to use rockets of different caliber; initial AR3 with 300 mm rockets, Fire Dragon 480 tactical ballistic missiles and TL-7B anti-ship missiles; and PHL-16 uses 370 mm guided rockets with a maximum range of 220 km – reach Leh.

Next, the 2-metre-long CM-501GA, diameter 180 mm, weighing 100 kgs and carrying a 20 kg blast fragmentation warhead, is a missile capable of engaging both stationary and moving targets at a distance between 5 and 40 km. The missile uses a combined TV/imaging infrared (IIR) seeker for terminal guidance besides some form of INS aided by the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). The manufacturer claims the missile has a circular error of probability (CEP) of less than 1 meter.

Also, the 2-metre-long CM-501GX loitering munitions is more like a miniature cruise missile with pop-out wings and a small jet engine has both naval and land versions. The guidance options such as Satellite/Inertial Navigation System (INS), imaging infrared (IIR), semi-active laser (SAL) homing and in-flight updates for re-targeting coupled with a modular design makes it a versatile system. It is being introduced in two configurations: on a 6×6 APC, and on the CSK181 series of mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles. With an endurance of more than 30 minutes it is designed to engage targets at a range of 70 km.

Finally, the Chinese are developing the “New Generation System” to include: Magnetized Plasma Artillery that uses magnetic field generator to create magnetic field inside the barrel instead of gunpowder. According to Global Times, the reduced friction extends the range of a conventional 155 mm SP howitzer from 30-50 km to 100 km besides its accuracy. For Tibetan contingency, China is developing the world’s first electromagnetic surface-to-surface rocket that offers greater fire range. The new electromagnetic rockets will be launched using additional electromagnetic force, like the catapult launchers that China and the US are developing for their rail guns.

WeiShi-2 (WS-2), a 400 mm rocket system, with variants having a range of 200-350 km. In 2008, it was revealed that sub munitions are developed for WS-2, including a specialized anti-radar version, which is a rocket containing three UAVs. Once the rocket is fired to the target area, the UAVs are released the same way as other sub munitions. The seekers then seek out target radar signals as UAVs begin to cruise, and once locked on to the radar, UAVs would home in and attack.

Laser Surveillance System combines the use of Lidar (a portmanteau of light and radar), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 5G technology to synergize detection and dissemination of the images and intelligence. Lidar uses ultraviolet, visible, or near infrared light to image objects like non-metals, rocks, aerosols, clouds and even chemical compounds.

In sum, Chinese are making breathtaking advances in artillery systems at break neck speed. With the latest all round technology development like the AI, 5G and their integration, artillery will dominate the outcomes of battlefield.

According to Military Balance 2019, there are almost 8,954 artillery weapon systems to include: 2120 SP; 1234 x Towed; 1250 x guns; 1550 x MRLs and 2,800 x Mortars. Details of holdings include:

SP Guns: 500 x PLZ-89 122 mm; 350 x PLZ -07A 122 mm; 150 x PLZ – 07B 122 mm; 300 x PCL – 09 122 mm; 350 x PLL-09 122 mm; 150 x PLZ82/83 152 mm (in store 200); 320 x PLZ-05.
Towed Guns: 500 x PL-96 (D-30) (in store 2,800 PL 51-1); 234 x PL-59 130 mm; 500 x PL (D-20).
MRL: 550 x PHL81/90 122 mm; 350 x PHL-11 122 mm; 375 x PHZ-89 122 mm; 100 x PHZ-11 – 122 mm; and 175 x PHL-03 – 300mm.

PLZ-07 is a self-propelled 122-mm tracked howitzer designed to replace the PLZ- 89. Developed by China, it is a third-generation gun based on a second-generation IFV chassis. It features improved speed, maneuverability, and survivability as well as digitization. It is the dedicated artillery piece of PLA armored brigades.

But, the latest inductions include the SH-15 truck-mounted howitzer with an armored cabin and armed with a 155 mm/L52 howitzer was first observed in 2017. It is fitted with a computerized fire control system, navigation, positioning and targeting systems. It is compatible with all standard 155 mm NATO ammunition. It is estimated that this howitzer can reach a 53 km range with a rocket-assisted V-LAP shell. This artillery system can use Chinese laser-guided and GPS-guided munitions. In service with an artillery brigade under the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command.

Add to it, the PCL-181 155 mm, weighing 25 tons, will be mainly used to replace the active PL-66 152-mm towed gun-howitzers and a small part of the remaining Type 59-1 130-mm towed cannons. Compared with the latter two, the PCL-181 features “fastness” in response, marching, and aiming besides aiming fast. The system features an automatic gun-laying system, a semi-automatic ammunition loading system, a digitized control board, and has room for six personnel in the cabin area (including the driver).

Following the input of the target azimuth data, the vehicle-mounted fire control computer can automatically settle the shooting elements and automatically adjust the azimuth and height of the artillery. In addition, the PCL-181 is also superior to the PLZ-05 in terms of maneuverability and operational flexibility in mountainous areas, deserts, Gobi deserts, and plateaus.

“The howitzer has 52-caliber cannon with a range of over 50km and shoots laser-guided and satellite-guided projectiles. It will boost the high-altitude combat capability of the PLA in Tibet,” Song Zhongping, a military expert, was quoted as saying by Global Times in January 2019.

There are three versions of SP tracked systems: PLZ-52; PLZ-05 and PLZ-07. PLZ-52, fitted with a 155 mm/L52 howitzer, is an improved version of a PLZ-05. It has modified hull and new turret. Range of a standard High-Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG) projectile is around 30 km and around 40 km of extended-range projectile. Maximum range of fire is 53 km with rocket-assisted projectile. China developed a GPS-guided 155 mm projectile. It was claimed that this projectile has a whooping maximum range of 100 km and accuracy of 40 m. It is also capable of firing Chinese precision guided projectiles that have a maximum range of 20-25 km. This artillery system has a semi-automatic or even fully automatic ammunition loading system. Maximum rate of fire is around 8 to 10 rounds per minute. The PLZ-52 is capable of Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) firing. It can launch up to 4 rounds that would hit the same target simultaneously.

The PLZ05, also referred as the Type 05, is a SP 155-mm tracked advanced cannon-howitzer. Based on the PLZ-83, it fires standard ammunition to ranges of up to 50 km. It is a modified version AH2 towed howitzer and was developed as a successor to the Type 83 SPH. It evolved from the PLZ-45. It has an automatic ammunition loading system. Maximum range of fire with rocket-assisted projectile is over 40 km. It is also capable of firing laser-guided projectiles. Maximum rate of fire is about 8 to 10 rounds per minute.

PLA’s PLZ-07 SP 122-mm tracked howitzer, third generation gun, designed to replace the PLZ- 89 and dedicated artillery piece of PLA armored brigades.

By the latest inductions, the situation in the PLA Army artillery units will be thoroughly changed: artillery of 130 mm and 152 mm calibers are likely to be completely eliminated.

Even the Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) systems like the PGZ-04, is a self-propelled 25-mm tracked air defense system featuring both missiles and AAA guns and particularly effective against helicopters and cruise missiles is in active service. Also, the PGZ-07 boasts dual 35-mm anti-aircraft cannons, with its 1,000 rounds per minute rate of fire as “staggering” and its exterior as “sleek.”

Finally, the HQ-7B Air Defense Missile System (SAM), developed in 1988, is highly accurate, maneuverable, and equipped with anti-jamming capability. It has both land-based and marine variants.

In sum, the induction of modern artillery systems with vastly improved ranges, rates of fire, accuracy and destructive capacity of munitions can have far reaching impact on the course of battles on the Indo-Tibet border particularly due to thinness of air which adds to their known ranges. What should concern politico-bureaucratic decision makers that the Chinese PLA could target, strike and destroy key objectives without excessive dependence on their air forces operating from high altitude plateau with Leh within nearly 170 kms from Hotan and Chusul within 40 kms from Finger 8 area of Pangong Lake in Ladakh. Similarly, key targets in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are within the strike distance of MRLS systems.

What should also concern politico-bureaucratic decision makers is that future battles cannot be fought with limited quantities of “Munitions” imported from the US like “Excalibur”. If the dream of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” is to be realized, then focus must be directed to “Made by India” – true indigenization in all aspects of artillery to include precision guided ammunitions, MRLS and wheeled and tracked systems – the God or King of Battles.

It is high time for “Veterans” to “Thump the Tables” and demand development, indigenization and induction of latest state-of-the-art systems for the armed forces to deter aggressors in future battles. For the serving Chiefs cannot express grave concerns in public. Otherwise, the “Blind men of Hindustan” will continue to indulge in jingoistic rhetoric reminiscent of Nehru’s clarion call on the way to Colombo in 1962 – “Throw the Chinese Out” – at a great cost to national security.

Review of PLA Strategic Rocket Forces – not being covered. Information available in public domain

Perspective of PLA Force Levels, Capabilities and Intent: Ladakh War Scenarios

Brig GB Reddy (Retd)

July 29, 2020

Perspective of PLA Force Levels, Capabilities and Intent Ladakh War Scenarios

To assess full PLA capabilities, even the PLA Air Force and PLA Strategic Rocket Forces capabilities needs to be reviewed to reach final assessments, writes Brig GB Reddy (Retd)

Understanding realities of People’s Liberation Army Force Levels, Capabilities and intent opposite Ladakh is critical to assess and determine likely ‘War Scenarios’ based on military strategies to conduct operations; and their intent in short, mid and long term contexts. To assess full PLA capabilities, even the PLA Air Force and PLA Strategic Rocket Forces capabilities needs to be reviewed to reach final assessments.

PLA military reforms started in 2015 transformed the Apex force structures. In particular, the Western Theater Command (WTC) was created responsible for the Indo-Tibet border (Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh) by two Military Regions (MR) merger – Chengdu MR and the Lanzhou MR – and also for internal security in Tibet and Xinjiang.

Pre Reforms Status in 2017: Pre 2017, there were 2 MRs covering the present Western Theater Command: the Lanzhou MR; and the Chengdu MR. Post 2017, both MRs have been merged to form the WTC. The Xinjiang Military District functions directly placed under PLAA command. Most significantly, Post 2017, as per Chinese media reports, the Tibet Military Command/Military District has been elevated and placed under the PLA Army (PLAA).

Lanzhou MR Responsibility Force Level Pre 2017: Responsible for Ladakh besides Xinjiang operations and Kazakhstan border, consisted of the following formations:

21st Group Army: 61st Motorized Infantry Division; 12th Armored Brigade; Artillery Brigade; Air Defense Brigade; ‘Tiger’ Special Operations Dadui.
47th Group Army: 55th Motorized Infantry Brigade; 56th Motorized Infantry Brigade; 139th Mechanized Infantry Brigade; 9th Armored Brigade; 1st Artillery Brigade; Anti-Aircraft Brigade; Communications Regiment; and Engineer Regiment; 3rd Army Aviation Brigade. 12th Artillery Division was previously with 47th Group Army.
Xinjiang Military District (HQ Urumqi): 4th Motorized Infantry Division (Kuqa); 6th Mechanized Infantry Division (Kashgar); 8th Motorized Infantry Division; 11th Motorized Infantry Division (Urumqi); Special Operations Brigade; 3rd Army Aviation Brigade; 2nd Artillery Brigade; Air Defense Brigade; 1st Independent Infantry Regiment; 9th Engineer Regiment; Signal Regiment; Electronic Warfare Regiment; 31st Chemical Defense Regiment.
63rd Armed Police Mobile Division (Pingliang) (formerly 21 Army 63 Division); and 7th Armed Police Mobile Division (formerly Xinjiang District 7th Division).

Lanzhou MR Force Levels Post Modernization 2017: 21 and 47 Army Army’s have been merged to form 76th Army Group with the Divisions/Brigades restructured as Combined Arms Brigades as given below:

76th Group Army (Xining City, Qinghai Province): 17th Heavy Combined-Arms Brigade; 56th Light Combined-Arms Brigade; 62nd Heavy Combined-Arms Brigade; 149th Medium Combined-Arms Brigade; 182nd Light Combined-Arms Brigade; 76th Special Operations Brigade; 76th Army Air Force Brigade; 76th Artillery Brigade; 76th Air Defense Brigade; 76th Brigade of Engineering Chemical Prevention; 76th Service Support Brigade.
Xinjiang Military District (HQ Urumqi): 4th Motorized Infantry Division (Kuqa); 6th Mechanized Infantry Division (Kashgar); 8th Motorized Infantry Division; 11th Motorized Infantry Division (Urumqi); Special Operations Brigade; 3rd Army Aviation Brigade; 2nd Artillery Brigade; Air Defense Brigade; 1st Independent Infantry Regiment; 9th Engineer Regiment; Signal Regiment; Electronic Warfare Regiment; 31st Chemical Defense Regiment; and 363 BDR.
63rd Armed Police Mobile Division and 7th Armed Police Mobile Division.

Most important to note that the Infantry Divisions in the Xinjiang Military District have been modernized as Mechanized and Motorized Divisions as terrain favors mobile warfare.

As per US intelligence expert estimate, the total Ground Forces in the WTC includes: 76 & 77 Army Groups and additional forces – 90,000–120,000; Xinjiang Military District – 70,000; and Tibet Military District 40,000, that is, total 200,000–230,000.

5. Likely war scenarios: Nuclear War; Two Front Conventional War; Ladakh Front Conventional War jointly with or without Pakistan; Limited War to secure all disputed areas of LAC; and Joint Fire Strike Campaign (JFSC).

Nuclear war is ruled out in today’s context. So also, Two Front Conventional War is unlikely. Possibility is most likely for Limited War to secure all disputed areas of LAC and also JFSC campaign based on the recent border skirmishes in Eastern Ladakh and Doklam in 2017 and PLAs de-escalation/disengagement.

Most importantly, all WCT formations/units are trained to conduct offensive and defensive operations in isolated high-altitude areas with difficult terrain and weather conditions. PLA recognizes that ground combat will occur mainly along roads that normally follow valleys or ridges, limiting support and cooperation between forces operating on different axes. Lack of cross-terrain mobility limits the ability of ground forces to conduct penetrating or outflanking operations against enemy forces. The Stride, Joint Action and Firepower training focuses on movement long distances by multiple means to reinforce another region and engage in combat. Also, stress is on airmobile landings in the enemy rear areas.

At the Operational Art level, formations/units are trained to conduct limited Mountain Offensive Campaign or a JFSC. The JFSC is a long-range precision strike by long-range rocket, missile and air forces with the objective to destroy important enemy targets, paralyze the enemy’s operational system of systems, weaken the will to resist and destroy war potential, or create conditions for other operations. Conducting precision strikes against key Indian targets was preferable to conducting difficult offensive ground operations where the defender has an advantage. The JFSC would support border counterattack or mountain offensive, but could also represent an independent campaign.

Options opposite Ladakh: Review of terrain analysis (particularly Depsang Plains, Gogra Post area favours mechanized operations), grouping of forces and their training in the WTC automatically suggest various options available to include:

- JFSC either in Eastern Ladakh or Sikkim or Arunachal Pradesh separately or simultaneously by air, rocket forces and artillery as a punishment.
- Limited war either in Eastern Ladakh or Sikkim or Arunachal Pradesh separately or simultaneously with the JFSC operations.
- Full scale conventional war either in Eastern Ladakh or Sikkim or Arunachal Pradesh separately or simultaneously with the JFSC operations.
- Two Fronts War.

As per former Northern Army Commander, Lt. Gen. HS Panag, most likely operational-level objectives of the PLA in case of “limited war” may be as follows:

Capture SSN Sector and threaten Indian defenses in Siachen Glacier.
Cut off the Darbuk-Shyok-DBO Road at Galwan Valley — Shyok River junction to assist the offensive in SSN.
Capture Chang Chenmo River Valley and all areas up to the north bank of Pangong Tso.
Secure/capture the Kailash Range in Chushul Sector.
Capture the Indus Valley up to the Ladakh Range via Demchok and Changla Pass on the Kailash Range and contact Indian defenses on the Ladakh Range.
Pakistan is also likely to launch a complementary offensive in the Shyok River Valley in the Turtuk Sector.

Options: With one Mechanized Division, two Motorized Divisions, one Infantry Division, one Special Operations Brigade and other supporting formations integral to Southern Xinjiang Military Division, options at the operational level available include:

Launch offensive on four thrust lines with one each Division or three thrust lines with one each Division keeping one Division in reserve directed to achieve the objectives identified above.
Special Operations Brigade would be employed in air mobile role to secure key terrain features behind defensive positions.
76 Army Group formations/units, RRUs from other Army Groups and the PLA Air Force Air Borne Divisions may be employed as reserves/reinforcements as per operational requirements.

Choices: Most likely is resumption of PLA forays to occupy disputed areas as per their LAC claim lines at their choice of timing and places to include:

Daulat Beg Oldi and Depsang Plains, Kongkar La, Gogra Post, PP 15, Hot Springs and PP 17 to secure complete Northern ridge line of Pangong Tso.
Considering long lines of communications opposite Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim (Nyingchi-Mainling-Yadong- Lhasa), PLA most likely conduct ‘feints and demonstrations” in the Eastern Theater.
Graduated escalation by execution of JFSC against key Indian targets across the Indo-Tibet border in all sectors.

Thus, the ongoing “Talks” on de-escalation/disengagement is to be viewed as a temporary reprieve only in the context of Xi Jinping’s “Chinese Dream”. In today’s context, PLA has temporarily retracted. Xi Jinping’s ultimate intent or end objective is to address lessons of history: “barbarians encirclement”; “Century of humiliations”; and “accidents of history when colonial powers imposed unfair border treaties when China was weak”. The doctrine is “Extended Coercion and Creeping Incrementalism” or “Salami Slicing”.

It is grossly unfair on the part of the nation and the politic-bureaucratic decision makers to expect armed forces, particularly ground forces to deter and counter PLA adventures effectively on the Indo-Tibet borders, with their present force levels and weapons systems. Disengagement should not lull decision makers into complacency. They must equip the armed forces with the latest high-tech combat systems in adequate numbers to counter the PLA misadventures and give enough time to train with them.

Viewed in the above framework of China’s “Grand Strategy”, Force Levels and capabilities, Indian decision makers must exploit the peace interregnum to identify inadequacies in force levels and combat weapons systems post haste. Additional formations and combat weapon systems must be moved into depth areas not only in the Ladakh Theater but also in both the Central and Easter theaters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh must also visit key locations in the Central and Eastern Theaters.

Know Your Risk during Covid-19

A Staff Writer

July 27, 2020

The Texas Medical Association recently released a chart of activities that poses lower to higher risk of getting infected by Covid-19. While some activities are riskier than a few others, it is of utmost importance that you take as much preventive measures as possible.

Is it safe to take a trip to the hair salon? Can you hug or shake hands? How risky is getting restaurant takeouts? Is it a good idea to travel by plane?

In the new normal as you begin to move around you have to be extra cautious about certain things. While some activities can pose more risk than the others, preventive measures have to be taken seriously.

The Texas Medical Association’s coronavirus taskforce – a team of infectious disease and primary care physicians, created a chart of activities that poses risk of getting Covid-19. The chart is scaled on 1 to 10; 1 being the least risky behaviour such as opening the mail and 10 being highly risky activity such as going to the bar.

This research is based on an assumption that you have taken all the preventive measures strictly. However, you should also be aware that handwashing and wearing a mask may not save you from being infected in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The research was based on physicians ranking the places and activities that showed high risk of transmission. This resulted in a guide that tells you how safe you are doing certain activities.

The chart is divided into five categories:

Low risk, rated 1-2

Five activities mentioned as low risk activities

opening the mail
getting restaurant takeouts
pumping gasoline
play tennis
going camping

Moderate-low, rated 3-4

Nine activities mentioned as moderately low-risk activities

grocery shopping
going for a walk with others
playing golf
staying at a hotel for two nights
sitting in doctor’s waiting room
visiting a museum or library
eating in a restaurant (outside)
walking in a busy downtown
spending an hour at a playground/park

Moderate risk, rated 5-6

Eight activities mentioned as moderate risk activities

dinner at someone’s place
attending a house party
going to a beach
a visit to shopping mall
sending kids to school
working a week in an office building
swimming in a public pool
visiting an elderly relative or friend in their home

Moderate-high, rated 7

Seven activities mentioned as moderately high-risk activities

going to a hair salon
eating in a restaurant (inside)
attending a wedding
traveling by plane
playing basketball
playing football
hugging or shaking hands with friends

High risk – Rated 8-9

Eight activities mentioned as high-risk activities

eating at a buffet
going to the gym
amusement park
going to a movie theatre
attending a concert
going to a sports stadium
attending a religious service with 500+ worshipers
going to a bar

Taking all the recommended safety protocols – handwashing, wearing a mask, disinfecting and maintaining distance is necessary as any activity can pose a threat.

On the brighter side, it is always good to have an idea about what activities are riskier than others. This chart gives you a better knowledge about how to stay safer in this pandemic situation.

There is plenty of evidence that proves Covid-19 to be a serious threat to you and your family. The more you practise safety and be careful when you step out, life will become a little easier. Keep in mind that Covid-19 spreads through droplets and close contact hence make sure you wear a snug mask and maintain distance every time you step out.

Takeaways from Health Live @ Seniors Today with Dr Anirudh Kohli

A Staff Writer

July 26, 2020

Dr Anirudh Kohli - Health Webinar Takeaways Seniors Today

Why should one wear a mask? Which kind of mask should one opt for? Are cloth masks effective? These and many more questions were answered by Dr Anirudh Kohli on Saturday, July 25 as part of the Health Live @ Seniors Today series

On Saturday, July 25, Health Live @ Seniors Today hosted senior doctor, Dr Anirudh Kohli to speak on the essentials related to correct usage of masks.

Dr Anirudh Kohli is Chief Radiologist at the Breach Candy Hospital Trust, Mumbai. He is an avid photographer, trekker and a keen traveller.

Here are the takeaways from Health Live @ Seniors Today

Unmasking the Mask – Mask is an essential part of PPE (personal protective equipment) that was used mostly by medical professionals pre-Covid-19. Since the pandemic, it has become an essential part of our daily lives. There are confusing, contradictory and mixed information that are being flip-flopped around by national and international organisations, of which some of the information is incorrect. Hence it is of utmost importance to have the correct information about masks so that you can opt for the one that suits you best.

Importance of Mask – 60% of Covid-19 positive cases are asymptomatic. While asymptomatic cases show no symptoms, symptomatic cases begin to shed the virus before the symptoms appear. Wearing a mask can prevent Covid-19 from spreading. For instance, a Covid-19 asymptomatic person travelled in a bus without wearing a mask with 39 fellow travellers and infected five. Later on, the same person wore a mask and travelled in a minibus with 14 fellow travellers and infected none.

Risk assessment – If 80% people wear a mask, the risk of Covid-19 spread is negligible. If 50% people wear a mask, the risk goes up to 18% and if nobody wears a mask there is a 35% chance of Covid-19 infection.

Types of masks – There are three categories – cloth, surgical and respirators.

1. Cloth masks are commonly used by the public and can be easily mass produced. It is useful for non-health care professionals and uninfected patients. It can be used with a face shield and is useful in public spaces – grocery stores, pharmacies… However, cloth masks are 50 times less effective than N95.
2. Surgical masks are triple-layered. The inner most absorbs moisture to prevent the mask from getting wet easily. The middle layer acts as a filter and the outer most layer repeals liquids. They have pleats so that nose, mouth and chin are covered. However, these masks are not meant to protect from infection as they have a loose fit that allows air to enter from sides.
3. Respirators is a PPE that is worn on face – filtering face piece respirator. It reduces risk of inhaling hazardous air bone particles and provides high filtration frequency. These masks are classified depending upon the type of substance filtration; N – non-oily particles, P – oily particles (exhaust fumes), R – some oily particles. While the number denotes filtration efficiency 95/99/100. N-95 hence can filter 95% of non-oily particles.

N95 – The air filtration prevents microorganism and noxious substance from entering. Millions of polypropylene microfibres are layered on top of each other. These are electro statically charged to maintain the ability to filter micro particles. N95 fits tightly ensuring no air seeps in from the sides.

N95 Valve mask – These masks have an exhalation valve that prevents condensation inside the mask – misting of glasses, also it helps breathe easier. It should not be worn by Covid-19 patients as the exhalation valve will contaminate the surrounding. It is ideal for outdoor workout and it helps breathe easily.

N95 mask without the valve – This mask traps heat and vapour from the mouth causing discomfort. It is ideal for Covid-19 positive patients to prevent contamination around them.

Is it safe to reuse N95? – Yes! Wash the mask with soap and water as often as you can or you may also air dry it for 72 hours. But make sure that it should not affect the fit or compromise filtration capabilities.

When to discard N95? – The minute you notice any tears or if it does not effectively seal your face or becomes visibly dirty, contaminated with bodily fluids or nasal secretions, discard it immediately.

Fake N95 – As there is a shortage of N95 masks there have been fake N95 masks in the market. Opt for a certified N95 by National Institute for (NIOSH) or FFP2 – EN149

Donning/Doffing – Donning means to wear the mask; while doffing means to take it off. Incorrect donning and doffing can cause an infection. Also, incorrect donning may give a false sense of security.

Donning – First make sure your hands are clean. Place the mask on your face – cover nose and mouth. Secure the elastic bands or ear loops, make sure it fits tightly. Ensure the masks fits snugly around nose, face and chin. There should be no air gaps.

Doffing – First washing your hands. Avoid contact with front surface of mask which is potentially contaminated. Grasp the elastic and remove the mask holding both ties so that the mask is untouched.

Everyone should wear a mask – If you are unable to get an N95 mask, a three-layered cotton mask is an alternative that you can opt for. Although it may not be as effective as N95. Its better to wear one then none. Cotton masks are washable and reusable.

Treat your mask like underwear – Do not touch or adjust your mask especially in public. Do not borrow or lend. Make sure the fit is good and comfortable. Make sure it is cleaned regularly. If there are any holes in it, or its stained, or its damp, dispose it.

Face Shield/goggles – These prevent contamination caused due to the droplets generated by cough or sneezing. It prevents an inadvertent touching of the eyes, nose and mouth with a contaminated hand.

New mantra is to stay fit – New normal calls for a reboot as you are home. Everybody is maintaining hygiene. It’s encouraging a better lifestyle. Eat well, exercise regularly and wear a mask.

Fafda Files: Howdy, Houston!?

Minoo Shah

July 26, 2020

Photo for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump at the Howdy

Amidst all the sensational news, Houston continues to hold a steady rank as a city with the highest surge of coronavirus and the least available hospital beds, writes Minoo Shah

For years, Houston (pronounced House-ton by the desi migrant junta) was a blip on the world map for entire villages arriving from anytown Gujarat. Why Houston? The sultry hot humid climate felt like you had never left home. On weekends, we wove through a spaghetti of freeways zeroing into Little India for chaat and gupshup. We made free Whatsapp calls to India bellowing at the top of our voices sending many a neighbourhood cat into furrowed trenches with raccoons and jackrabbits, asking family and friends to hop on over – we will take you to NASA.

In October of 2019, everything changed. Howdy Modi came to Houston and along with it Trump and his gang of senators, Congressmen and a plethora of media. We were no longer a cowboy town with the usual derelicts, crime statistics, racial discrimination or the occasional flood that wiped out townships. Now, we were a global sensation. With a snap of his fingers, Modi had invoked mass hysteria to a sold out crowd of some 50,000 odd native insurgents. For weeks thereafter the media could not say Modi without saying Trump. Houston had jumped into the global ring with a reputation of ‘We’ve got it all!’.

Alarmingly enough, the next big news was Rehan Siddiqui. Now, this was a chap that the desi diaspora hobnobbed with at social events. Your friendly, charming respectful to elders kind of regular neighbourhood guy, you would invite to dinners and ask to chaperone your daughters, sisters, mistresses, et al. All of a sudden, one January morning, camaraderie begone, the news channels erupted with stories of Rehan’s alter ego.

The man was staging shows in Houston, making money off the likes of Bollywood A-listers and allegedly funding terrorist organisations. Imagine waking up with a hangover, trying to enjoy a ditty by Lata Mangeshkar on the radio with a steaming cup of masala chai in your backyard, when the calm is rudely interrupted by the RJ. Blaring across the soundwaves, you are jerked from a deer in the headlights trancelike state by the words ‘Rehan Siddiqi is an ISI agent and an arms dealer’. You scurry on inside and the local news channel is showing his mugshot with a tickler – Bollywood show promoter nabbed by the feds and booked by Homeland Security. Your jaw drops and you hope there are no pictures of you with this infamous crimelord making the social media. Barely does this get swept under the rugs when news videos surface from none other than Arnab Goswami of Republic TV plus Rahul Shivshankar and Navika Kumar of Times Now with explosive details about the extent of his alleged criminal activities. This charlatan had become synonymous with Houston and besmirched the glory days of winning the World Series.

That not being enough, come July 22, Houston again made massive global headlines. This time it was China! It was playing dirty on American soil. In the wake of the pandemic that started on its soil, its consulate in Houston, as per Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, was abetting theft of the vaccine research. It made President Trump very angry and he decided to kick them on their rump by ordering closure of the Chinese Embassy in Houston. He escalated the cat-and-mouse game to proportions that Xi Jinping may not have expected. Trump, clearly not known for his patience, a man of few words (most times pronounced incorrectly) said: “Ten Pins you want to play? I match your bet and raise you one consulate in Houston’. Ten Pins (aka Xi Jinping) matched Trump and raised him five consulates (Chengdu, Guanzhou, Beijing, etc etc). This maddened Trump not because he upped him five, but because the names of the cities irked him. He immediately called his best friend and lamented: “Howdy, Modi?’ What are we to do with Ten Pins?” PM Modi calming him down said: “Send Pomp and Show (Secretary Pompeo) to the South China Sea. Then ask Putin to ride his horse into Taige and stake claim. I will send Pappu (Rahul Gandhi) to Beijing to entertain Eleven Pins (you see Modi knows his Roman numerals). Then, you go and play golf and all my men who are looking after your country will be briefed. Thereafter, Modi summoned Rajnath and asked him to proclaim sovereignty on Google (Sundar Pichai), Microsoft (Satya Nadella) and Mastercard (Ajay Singh Banga). All in all, the superpower’s strategic plan came together because of one fire in some metal barrels in the Houston-based compound of the Chinese Embassy. The scallywags were reportedly burning sensitive documents in broad daylight, bringing forth the wrath of the heroic Houston firemen of Ladder 33, the White House, Fox News and CNN.

Amidst all these sensational news items, Houston continues to hold a steady rank as a city with the highest surge of the coronavirus and the least available hospital beds. I say, Houston, we have arrived!

Are you an Untidy Person?

A Staff Writer

July 22, 2020

Are‌ ‌you‌ ‌an‌ ‌Untidy‌ ‌Person‌? - Seniors Today

Make your home look like the ones in interior magazines with these tricks

When you visit someone’s house or leaf through that vibrant interior magazine, the first thing that catches your attention is their tidiness. You may wonder, how is their house much tidier than yours. Tidy is how we like our homes to be, but maintaining tidiness may seem overwhelming. However, with help of these tricks you will be creating habits that will eventually turn into an instinctive tidy living. The more you will practice these tricks the easier it will get with time.

Here are 11 tricks to tidy living:

1. Tidy your bed – Start your day by making your bed in the morning. This is the first step to tidy living. This will ensure having a tidy bed through the day. Also, it will give you a sense of accomplishment at the start of the day.

2. Prioritise – Make a list of things you want to get done first. Tiding up every nook and corner may feel tedious, so pick areas that bothers you the most. Once you have tidied one area you can move on to the next and within few days your home will be tidy.

3. Laundry – Chair is meant for relaxing and sipping your favourite beverage, don’t pile it with a heap of dirty laundry. Put your dirty clothes in a laundry bag and do one load of laundry each day, depending upon the requirement. This will ensure clean clothes, no mess and an empty chair to relax on.

4. Declutter – Are you ever going to use that broken appliance? Decluttering is an essential part of tidy living. Get rid of all the stuff that you are hoping to use someday. Rather hand it down to someone who will make use of it now. You may feel attached and would resist to let go, but the chances are it will never be used by you. When you get rid of all the redundant objects you create a lot of space right away.

5. Collection of paperwork – You may have saved all the paper documents thinking it may be of use some day. The thing is you don’t require the entire lot. Plan in an afternoon where you spend time segregating paper documents. Keep the ones that are important and put them in a binder. There will be some that are already digitalised. And the rest can be thrown or recycled.

6. Designated place – Every object that you use should have a designated place. This way you will find your belongings in the same place, it will also save time. This will ensure a clutter free home because everything you use will be in place.

7. Dirty dishes – The best way to never have a pile of dirty dishes is to clean them right after use. When you let the dishes sit in the sink for longer, they will keep on piling and you will have to drag yourself to get it done. Cleaning dishes after use will ensure a tidy sink all the time. Use, wash and put them back at their designated place.

8. Minimise Knick-knacks – A shelf full of collectibles sometimes end up looking messy and cluttered if there are too many of them. After a point, dusting them every now and then can become tiresome. Instead keep few collectibles to show and replace them every once in a while. This will ensure your shelf is tidy and make your collectibles stand out instead of competing with each other creating a messy look.

9. Tidy after use – Tidying your space right after use will keep your home always tidy. This is the golden rule, for instance you spend time on your couch watching television, tidy it once you get up. Small things like these can make a significant difference in maintaining tidiness around your house.

10. Roundup before bedtime – Before you head to your bedroom at night. Walk around in your house to make sure everything is in place. When you do this, you will wake up to a tidy home. This will ensure you remain active and productive throughout the day.

11. Tidy food habits – Indian food is undoubtedly flavourful and delicious however nobody likes their home smelling of tadkas and masalas. Keep a freshener handy or a potpourri bowl would work as well. Keeping the kitchen counter tidy is all about storing munchies and foods inside the kitchen cabinets or storage units. If there are food stains on your table clothes or elsewhere clean it up immediately, this way you will get rid of the stain as well as the odour it leaves behind. Make sure that there aren’t any opened packets of food lying around, this will ensure that houseflies and insects stay away from your home. Taking care of all these aspects will keep your kitchen tidy and fresh.

The idea is to not keep anything for tomorrow instead get it done right away. When we keep things for tomorrow it keeps getting piled up like the dreadful dirty dishes. Tidy living is the way to be clutter free. It’s a habit that grows over time creating a cheerful disposition. When you live tidily you feel more energetic and happier.

Do share with us your tips and tricks of living tidy.

Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine shows promising early results

seniorstoday

July 22, 2020

Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine shows promising early results

The preliminary trial results of the vaccine are very encouraging, it is safe and can train the immune system but it requires more work.

Taking the lead in the race to find a cure for Covid-19, Oxford University announces its vaccine is safe and has shown an encouraging immune response in early clinical trials in healthy volunteers. The experimental vaccine is called AZD1222 and is licensed to AstraZeneca – British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company.

The early preliminary trial results were published in The Lancet medical journal. The trail included 1077 healthy adults aged 18-55 years with no history of Covid-19. The trial did not show serious side effects, it produced antibodies and a good T-cell immune response. The strongest response was seen in people who received two doses.

The mild side-effects caused by this vaccine could be reduced by taking paracetamol and will have no adverse effects from the vaccine.

Said the lead author Andrew Pollard: “We hope this means the immune system will remember the virus, so that our vaccine will protect people for an extended period.” However more research needs to be done before they can confirm the vaccine is safe and effective against Covid-19 infection.

Researchers also expressed caution. Vaccine developer Sarah Gilbert said, “There is still much work to be done before we can confirm if our vaccine will help manage the Covid-19 pandemic. We still do not know how strong an immune response we need to provoke to effectively protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection.”

Depending upon how quickly late-stage trails will be completed and the vaccine proves successful, a million doses could be manufactured by September and the vaccine could be in use by the end of the year, said the director of Oxford University’s Jenner Institute, Adrian Hill.

“Today’s data increases our confidence that the vaccine will work and allows us to continue our plans to manufacture the vaccine at scale for broad and equitable access around the world,” said Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President at AstraZeneca.

Manufacturer AstraZeneca has also announced it will not seek to profit from the vaccine during the pandemic. It has signed agreements with several countries to supply the vaccine – as it proves effective and gains regulatory approval.

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “There are no guarantees, we’re not there yet and further trials will be necessary – but this is an important step in the right direction.”

10 Non-Raj Kapoor Hits of Mukesh

Narendra Kusnur

July 22, 2020

When you think of singer Mukesh, the first things that come to mind are the songs of Raj Kapoor, but there are numerous gems that did not feature the showman, writes Narendra Kusnur

When you think of singer Mukesh, the first things that come to mind are the songs of Raj Kapoor. From ‘Awara Hoon’ (Awara) and ‘Mera Joota Hai Japani’ (Shree 420) to ‘Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo’ (Teesri Kasam) and ‘Jaane Kahan’ (Mera Naam Joker), the two of them worked together on numerous hits, mostly in tandem with music directors Shankar-Jaikishen.

However, Mukesh also had numerous gems that did not feature Raj Kapoor. Some songs were filmed on stars like Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. On his 97th birth anniversary on July 22, we choose 10 non-RK songs. Some favourites like ‘Chandi Ki Deewaar’ (Vishwas), ‘Jis Gali Mein’ (Kati Patang) and ‘Kai Baar Yunhi’ (Chhoti Si Baat) missed the list. The choice is personal, and the order is chronological.

Dil Jalta Hai – Pehli Nazar (1945)

Though he had appeared as an actor-singer before, this was Mukesh’s first song as a playback singer. Those days, he copied his idol K.L. Saigal, but eventually overcame the habit. The song was composed by Anil Biswas, written by Aah Sitapuri and picturised on Motilal and Munawar Sultana.

Yeh Mera Deewanapan – Yehudi (1958)

By the time Yehudi was released, Mukesh was identified as the voice of Raj Kapoor. But he had some big hits with Dilip Kumar too, though many composers preferred Rafi for the thespian. ‘Yeh Mera Deewanapan’ was composed by Shankar-Jaikishen and written by Shailendra, and was another instance when they all combined to produce magic.

Suhana Safar – Madhumati (1958)

Another Dilip Kumar film, Madhumati, was released a week after Yehudi. This was a big hit for music director Salil Chowdhury, and lyrics were by Shailendra. Years after its release, the song continued to be played on television. The main lines were “Suhana safar aur yeh mausam haseen, hamein dar hai ham kho na jaayein kahin”.

https://youtu.be/vTnAvikqB_8

Chand Aahein Bharega – Phool Bane Angarey (1963)

A really melodious number composed by Kalyanji-Anandji and penned by Anand Bakshi who wrote “Chand aahein bharega, phool dil thaam lenge, husn ki baat chali toh sab tera naam lenge”. The song is picturised on Raaj Kumar and Mala Sinha in a car drive.

Saawan Ka Mahina – Milan (1967)

One of the biggest hits of its time, this song revives memories of Sunil Dutt telling Nutan that it’s not ‘shor’ but ‘sor’. This was a duet with Lata Mangeshkar, composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and written by Bakshi. The lines ‘Jiyara re jhoome aise jaise ban ma nache mor’ gave a positive feeling.

Raat Aur Din Diya Jale – Raat Aur Din (1967)

This classic was rendered in two immaculate versions, by Mukesh and Mangeshkar. Picturised on Pradeep Kumar and Nargis, it was composed by Shankar-Jaikishen. Hasrat Jaipuri wrote, “Raat aur din diya jale, mere man mein phir bhi andhiyara hai; Jaane kahaan hai woh saathi, tu jo mile jeevan ujiyara hai”.

Oh Re Taal – Anokhi Raat (1968)

A huge hit, this is sung even today by Mukesh fans at parties. Composed by Roshan and penned by Indeevar, the song was picturised in a bullock cart sequence featuring Sanjeev Kumar, Zahida and Mukri. The song’s peppy rhythm and marvellous back-up vocals added to its charm.

Koi Jab Tumhara – Purab Aur Paschim (1970)

In the song, written by Indeevar, a man told a woman that his door was always open for her in case someone broke her heart. Music was by Kalyanji-Anandji, with Manoj Kumar and Saira Banu appearing on screen. The composers made excellent use of the stringed instrument rabab.

Kahin Door – Anand (1971)

Many would rate this among Mukesh’s finest. Filmed on Rajesh Khanna, with Amitabh Bachchan appearing in the backdrop, the song was composed by Salil Chowdhury and written by Yogesh, who passed away on May 29. The tune and words stuck to you and Mukesh’s voice was at its most expressive, describing the emotions of the ailing but happy-go-lucky Anand.

Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein – Kabhi Kabhie (1976)

Khayyam provided music in this Yash Chopra film. This hit was based on a poem earlier written by Sahir Ludhianvi. Amitabh Bachchan, Raakhee and Shashi Kapoor appeared in this classic love song, written in a nazm format. Mukesh also sang the unforgettable ‘Main Pal Do Pal’ in this film.

Takeaways from Health Live @ Seniors Today with Dr Anand Shroff

seniorstoday

July 19, 2020

How often should one visit an eye specialist? What are the symptoms of Cataract? What are anti-fatigue glasses? Why do we need antiglare glasses? How lights can affect eyes? These and many other questions were answered by Dr Anand Shroff on Saturday, July 18 as part of the Health Live @ Seniors Today series

By A Staff Writer

On Saturday, July 18, Health Live @ Seniors Today hosted leading eye specialist and surgeon Dr Anand Shroff to speak with readers on issues concerning eye care for senior citizens.

Dr Shroff is a leading eye specialist and surgeon with specialisation in ReLEx Smile, Lasik, Bladeless EpiLasik, C3R, Glaucoma and Corneal disorders, Cataract including accommodative and toric implants.

Dr Shroff is one of the first ophthalmologists to use advanced accommodative and multifocal lens implant technology and methods. He is the pioneer of wavefront guided and topography-guided Lasik in the country. He is one of the most experienced refractive surgeons having over 17 years of experience as a Lasik and Cataract surgeon. He has performed over 20,000 cataract surgeries and 20,000 Lasik procedures and continuing. Also, a Glaucoma specialist and a former consulting surgeon of Bombay Hospital, he currently works at Shroff Eye Hospital in Bandra and Shroff Eye Clinic on Marine Drive, both in Mumbai.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mwr7yp6Gk_U[/embedyt]

Here are the takeaways from the Health Live @ Seniors Today session with Dr Anand Shroff:

Pay attention to your eyesight – As you age, your lens begins to age and turns hazy making it difficult for you to see clearly. It is essential to get your eyes checked as soon as you notice a change in your eye sight. Immediate attention can help save your eyes from further deterioration.
Cataract can be black or white – With age, vision tends to get hazy resulting in poor eye sight. If the cataract goes white, it progresses fast. Eyes become hazier leading to vision loss. If the cataract goes black it begins with yellow, that turns into dark yellow followed by brown and finally black – also resulting in vision loss.
Symptoms of cataract – Symptoms vary from person to person. However, the early onset of cataract would be light sensitivity, vision becomes hazy, and constant change in number.
Cataract Surgery is safe – Today cataract surgery requires no injection, no stitches and no patch after surgery. Especially with microscopic incision techniques cataract has become a stress-free procedure.
Extended-depth-of-focus lenses (EDOFs) – It is a single focus lens with a great depth of focus. Many people opt of these lenses after their cataract surgery. This is a new kind of lens that provides a clear vision of your surroundings during day and night. Also, with EDOFs you can leave your glasses aside.
How to relieve from sinus pain – Apply some Vicks Vaporub over your temples and nose, take some steam. Avoid eating and drinking cold food and beverages instead do salt water gargles. Take steam inhalation – close your eyes and mouth and inhale the steam from your nose. Stand away from AC draft also refrain from being around the window or balcony when the weather is cold. Avoid temperature extremes – stepping out for afternoons errands could trigger your sinus and lead to a headache as the temperature outside is hotter than your air-conditioned room. Whenever you go for a head bath ensure that your AC is turned off and your windows are shut so that when you come out, your room is still in room temperature.
Lights are important – Lights can sometimes strain the eyes depending upon the type. It is recommended to avoid having naked light in the house instead it would be a good idea to have your lights covered. As reflected lights are easy on the eyes.
You don’t require antiglare glasses – Antiglare glasses were meant for MS DOS – in the past the screens where back with florescent green writing, this would create a contrasting vision in pink. Hence antiglare glasses were invented. However, today with good ambient lighting one does not require antiglare glasses.
It could be a psychological itch – When you see somebody with a red eye you get a psychological itch. You may have touched the same door knob, the same chair and the same iPad but as soon as you see the red eye you tend feel itchy and touch your eye which results in eye infection. So, it’s touching your eyes that causes the infection.
Fool nature by using antifatigue glasses – Eyes were meant for far sight, however, with evolution today humans have become tech savvy which requires near sight – near sight affects the power of your eyes. If you spend a lot of time on your computer, phone, iPads it is essential to wear anti-fatigue glasses as it will prevent your power from increasing.
Keep a separate pair of near glasses – As you are spending a lot of time on screen these days – zoom calls, videos… it is better to have a spare near glass. Keep in mind that your glasses are not too old and the power is accurate and make sure you take a break every half an hour.
Lubricating eye drops – If you are going to spend a lot of time on computer, put some lubricating eye drops before you begin. This will form a layer on top that will ensure your eyes don’t blink a lot.
Opt for HBA1C test for diabetes – When you have uncontrolled diabetes oxygen intake is less and this gradually results in less oxygen supply to your organs. Overtime if you are not careful this could lead to spotting in the retina and further into eye damage. Get an HBA1C test done to know your sugar levels.
Go for an eye check-up once in a year – It is essential to go for a eye check-up once in year because there are silent diseases that could be affecting your eyes.
Glaucoma is a silent disease – Glaucoma is a disease where your sight begins to diminish. It begins with loss of side vision and gradually going up to tubular vision. If you have a family history of glaucoma chances of you getting it is higher. You cannot prevent glaucoma from happening and nor is it reversible. Hence it is essential to visit an ophthalmologist and not an optician if you are having vision problem.
Rest your eyes – Eyes are overused hence they do not require exercising. Even while you are asleep you are watching dreams – rapid eye movement. The other half of the sleep is when your eyes get some rest. So instead of eye exercises your eyes need a lot of rest. Cup your eyes for some time or shut all the lights and look into black, let your eyes rest.
It is safe to visit a standalone eye hospital – In Covid-19 times it would be wise to visit a stand-alone hospital if you have to. It will be safer than other hospitals that are tackling other diseases

Dr Anand Shroff can be reached on 022-66921000 for face-to-face and tele-consultations.

Fafda Files: Bubs and Bai

Minoo Shah

July 18, 2020

What has relegated this otherwise shrew of a woman with a soul of a banshee into a cowering shadow of her former self, wonders Minoo Shah

Nostalgia of a Mumbai housewife these days does not even remotely figure kids or other kith and kin. She sits at the window deep sunken-eyed with a faraway look and an occasional quiver to her lips. The birds in the trees look at her askance and flutter away dropping her a gift or two in her hair. She is oblivious. Her children dare a response with a loud crescendo of drums and even louder shrills and bickering, but no expletives fly their way. The husband slithers in and out with neither a wish nor much less a demand. The kitchen sink, bathroom floors and the cobwebs on the walls nod in ascent to her mood and quietly sigh for bygone days.

What has relegated this otherwise shrew of a woman with a soul of a banshee into a cowering shadow of her former self? For me to explain this, I must take you back in time and into her glorious yesteryears when ‘bai’ came swooshing in with two bags of milk in hand walking past the sleeping dog muttering and clattering away in the kitchen. Lying in wait with an eye half-open looking at the clock is housewife who temporarily shall be referred to as Sethani. Now, in order to help you visualise Sethani, think of a 5.2’ tall fairly obese human wrapped in a sari with bulges protruding from every nook and cranny. This erstwhile figure is also quite often engulfed in salwaar kameezes that wince in pain begging the tailor for mercy. Tailor chap not being completely bereft of compassion has introduced Sethani to Kaftaans which she sports on weekends.

At this juncture, you, the astute reader, are probably fantasising about Sethani as Boticelli’s dream of a classic model, and you would be right. However, Sethani born Bulbuli going by the pseudonym Bubs (nothing to do with the bounteous frontload) born into a Bania family was not always the replica of a mattress. Bubs, a few years ago was this doe-eyed beaut with silky raven hair and a supine stature. Eye candy ended there as the inner beauty was negligible. Bubs was reared to be the echelon of a brat with a tongue that could slice through a multifaceted diamond nose-stud. Foresighted banias (since the practice of sati was abolished) looked upon the birth of a girl child as an investment. In how many different ways could this be turned into an opportunity was the far-seeking goal. A conspiracy born out of need benefitting both families is a book yet to be written and studied at the Wharton Business School. Except the people of Jewish faith already have some cultural supremacy on this economics of contracts that justify the ends to the means. Either way contract marriages became the key to this conundrum for both.

The ‘nayi bahu’ invasion slowly takes over a household in the parampara set by the mother-in-law and several prior ‘peedhis.’ Glutting into boxes of motichoor, balushahis and dal baati churma, ghee like water finds its own way and projectiles through arms, front, rear and cheeks so that lissome escapes the dictionary never to be found again in the presence of Bubs.

Having appraised you of the background, I must torment you no longer but take you back to the time prior to the nostalgic Bubs to the lying in wait Bubs, whose day dawns with the footsteps of ‘Bai’ rocketing into the house. (Interesting footnote: in Bania households, both the household help and mother-in-law are referred to as ‘Bai’ – Coincidence? Maybe?). Much like the desert wanderer who comes upon an oasis Bubs thirst is quenched when during the mid-morning cup of tea, with mother in law gone to a kitty party, men of the household gone to multiply wealth, kids safely in school tormenting the highly paid teachers (sic)! with bai at her feet parlaying the neighborhood gossip. Oohs, aahs, I knew it, soft sighs and clicking of tongue are the glory of the hour. After which, Bai is shushed away to the kitchen so the facetime calls can begin with friends who must be immediately apprised of the state of depravity in the Lokhandwala Complex. Bai, no stranger to this lifestyle ensures that Bubs is never left bereft of the fodder.

Everyone is probably familiar with the four stages of a housewife’s life. This was the fondness stage. The anger stage is next when the Bubs-Bai relationship turns into a yelling, screaming match complete with confrontations about stealing, mediocre work combined with threats of ‘I’m going to fire you’ drawing retaliatory comments like, ‘ho, mug bughtey kashey kai kaam karta tumhi’ adding an under the breath expletive ‘kersooni’. Bai walks away in a huff and Bubs calls hubby. Here, one must pause to envision this poor guy in a meeting with some foreign dignitaries, excusing himself to answer Bubs call who is speaking at a decibel that can be compared to the Mach scale. The poor sap catches a few pitying eyes plus gestures from the Boardroom and somehow manages to wean himself away from the distressful call knowing fully well that the worst is yet to come. A man adept in the art of war, he knows what he must do next, he calls Bai’s husband and convinces him with a bottle of videshi thurra that Bai must come back to work. Of course, the time between the evening at home with Bubs wrath and the next dawn is merciless on him. The next day, Bai returns augmenting passive aggression from both parties. This step is considered the stage of silent treatment much like cats when they are assessing their territorial rights. The following day is the depression stage when both parties want to make up but ego reigns supreme. Many surreptitious looks are passed, biscuits are silently dunked, and tea is slurped in silence by both parties, one in the kitchen, one in the living room. At times poignant looks are exchanged and just as 5:30 rolls and before the advent of the entire household comes crashing down upon them, they smile at each other. Bub says, ‘itni si baat par itna gussa?’ Bai replies,’tar kai doka aaptu?’. The honeymoon period begins afresh the next day with another fresh bout of gossip, obviously the part about the neighbour in the next building having an affair with Vasundhara on the 6th floor has been saved for the make-up session.

Pitiful as it sounds, Bubs is locked in the greatest moral battle of her times. Forlorn and pining she waits and sees weeks go by with no end in sight to the lockdown or the return of Bai and the good old days.

10 Rajesh Khanna love songs on his 8th death anniversary

Narendra Kusnur

July 17, 2020

There were numerous hit songs picturised on Rajesh Khanna, and the masses adored his unique screen mannerisms, writes Narendra Kusnur

From 1969 to 1974, Rajesh Khanna was the undisputed superstar of Hindi cinema, till Amitabh Bachchan’s angry young man took over. There were also numerous hit songs picturised on Khanna, and the masses adored his unique screen mannerisms.

The songs would be romantic, sad, happy or situational. On his eighth death anniversary on July 18, we choose 10 love songs that one immediately associated with him. Whether solo or duet, he appeared with different heroines and yet maintained that screen chemistry with each of them. Though their frequency reduced, the successful songs would continue till the early 1980s.

1. Gunguna Rahe Hain Bhanware – Aradhana (1969)

There were a few Rajesh Khanna hits in the 1967 film Raaz, but the music of Aradhana was another level altogether. The film had ‘Mere Sapnon Ki Rani’, ‘Roop Tera Mastana’ and ‘Baghon Mein Bahaar Hai’, besides this duet featuring Khanna and Sharmila Tagore. Composed by S.D. Burman and written by Anand Bakshi, it was sung by Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle.

https://youtu.be/yTktbXFZP6o

2. Chup Gaye Saare – Do Raaste (1969)

The film was released a few weeks after Aradhana, continuing the Khanna wave. This Rafi-Lata Mangeshkar duet was picturised on him and Mumtaz. Laxmikant-Pyarelal composed the tune, and Bakshi had lines like “Tumne kaajal lagaya din mein raat ho gayee”.

3. Pyar Diwana Hota Hai – Kati Patang (1971)

Khanna played the grand piano as Asha Parekh watched in this song sung by Kishore Kumar. Written by Bakshi again, it was set to tune by R.D. Burman, who also had the hits ‘Yeh Shaam Mastani’, ‘Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai’, ‘Na Koi Umang Hai’ and ‘Jis Gali Mein’ in this film.

https://youtu.be/lslZptXok8o

4. O Mere Dil Ke Chain – Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972)

An all-time Kishore favourite featuring Khanna and Tanuja. R.D. Burman’s music was memorable using guitar and santoor magically. Lyrics were by Majrooh Sultanpuri who excelled on lines like “Maanga hai tumhe duniya ke liye, ab khud hi sanam faisla keejiye”.

5. Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai – Daag (1973)

Khanna was paired with Sharmila Tagore on this Kishore song composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. The lyrics were by Sahir Ludhianvi who wrote “Mera pyar keh raha hai, main tujhe khud bana doon”. Though fans had mixed reactions to Khanna’s moustache, the song became a huge hit.

6. Suno Kaho Kaho Suno – Aap Ki Kasam (1974)

The film had the successful songs ‘Karwatein Badalte Rahein’, ‘Jai Jai Shiv Shankar’ and the pathos-filled ‘Zindagi Ke Safar Mein’, but this one had the typical R.D. Burman lilt and bubbled with romance. Sung by Kishore and Mangeshkar, it was penned by Bakshi.

7. Hum Donon Do Premi – Ajnabee (1974)

Beautifully picturised on a goods train, this featured Khanna and a saree-clad Zeenat Aman in an elopement sequence. The combination of Kishore, Mangeshkar, R.D. Burman and Bakshi worked wonders again. The film also had the hits ‘Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se’ and ‘Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein’.

https://youtu.be/k1D8W7fUdiA

8. Ankhon Mein Humne Aap Ke – Thodisi Bewafai (1980)

Khayyam composed this tune where Gulzar wrote “Ankhon mein humne aap ke sapne sajaaye hain”. The song was picturised on Khanna and Shabana Azmi, and sung by Kishore and Mangeshkar.

https://youtu.be/63D_YhTt5C0

9. Hamein Tumse Pyar Kitna – Kudrat (1981)

“Tumhe koi aur dekhe to jalta hai dil, badi mushkilon se phir sambhalta hai dil”, sang Kishore in this evergreen classic. While Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini were picturised, there was also a semi-classical version featuring Aruna Irani and sung by Parveen Sultana. R.D. Burman composed the music, and Sultanpuri penned the magical words.

10. Pyar Ka Dard Hai – Dard (1981)

Khanna appeared in a double role, and was joined by Hema Malini and Poonam Dhillon on this song sung by Kishore and Bhosle. Khayyam created the tune, and Naqsh Lyallpuri wrote the lines “Pyar ka dard hai meetha meetha pyaara pyaara”.

The Pursuit of Happiness

Harsh Goenka

July 15, 2020

Harsh Goenka on how to smile in times of trouble

It was around the 15^th day of lockdown, when I re-watched one of my all-time favourite movies, Life is Beautiful. Viewing the film after a few years and amidst this lockdown, the story took on a whole new meaning. I was struck by the simplicity and profoundness of the message. Guido, (the Italian shopkeeper who is thrown into a concentration camp along with his little son) had chosen only to see the positive, however minuscule it may have been. And used his imagination and humour, despite the horrific realities of the concentration camp, to shelter his son from the cruelty and tragedies that surrounded them, braving punishment, disease and death. It showed me how beautiful and indomitable the human spirit is. How little it took for the duo to remain in high spirits. How could they be happy amidst all that hardship?

It got me thinking about what happiness really means. All the sages from time immemorial have advised us to slow down, step off the roller-coaster to understand life and happiness. Well, the coronavirus did just that for us – brought us to a grinding halt. Like all of you, I have spent the past three months within the confines of my home. Four months ago this would have been utterly inconceivable, and yet here we are. This compulsory pause has opened our eyes and minds to feel and sense a lot of subtle elements of our life that we had lost sight of – things that bring happiness.

As Deepak Chopra had said, focus on the positive whatever the circumstances. Most importantly, we have all been brought to spend more time with our families. Through this forced togetherness, we have rediscovered the warmth and affection of bonding, and the comfort of being with people who are closest to us. We now realise how much we had drifted away even while living together.

As our lives have slowed down, we have suddenly become more aware of the simple pleasures in life and finding joy in them. We notice the clear blue sky a lot more, we hear the birds, the rustling leaves, cherish the sea breeze and even discuss the brightness of the moon. We have begun to look at our days not in terms of dates, appointments and time-slots, but by the differing hues of the sun as it traverses the day.

This may sound odd, but I am sure many will agree with me that with the lockdown and social distancing, our relationships even with those elsewhere have become stronger. We have spoken over the phone to people whom we have not contacted in years, and re-established friendships. Underlying this phenomenon is the fact that we have begun to value people in our lives more.

We spend a lifetime doing the things we do to be truly happy in the future. That future is where you and I are now. Senior citizens. A stage in life when our bodies begin to exhibit the strains and stresses of a life spent building a home, a business, a career and so on. This is a stage in life when we could be facing a completely different set of challenges, mostly centred around health. We could be driven to think of this as a phase of suffering. Like Guido, many before us have risen to that challenge and shown that it is possible to maintain purpose and meaning in life even in the face of significant hardship. Our bodies change as we age, even when we eat healthy, exercise and try to take good care of ourselves. Sight, hearing, bones, joints, balance, mobility, memory, continence, strength and stamina — they will never be what they once were. Like a doctor once told his patient, “All my patients your age who are free of pains, are dead.”

Difficult times teach us some of the most valuable lessons in life. They will come in all shapes, sizes and intensity, but truly the choice to cross over from despair to happiness lies within us. Fifty per cent of being happy comes from how we are wired – our genes. Ten per cent comes from external circumstances. The remaining 40 per cent comes from the choices we make. It is this 40 per cent that we should focus on. If only we can align those choices to what can lead to happiness, we would be on the right track.

Most people would assume that I would be amongst the happiest people, and for the most part I am… after all, I was born into comfortable wealth and have all the advantages of the privileged. Yet on occasion I have observed a feeling of emptiness, even when I have achieved a milestone or accomplished a task well. I remember once after a particularly long and gruelling bout of negotiations which ended favourably, I was rather surprised at my emotions. I was so sure that success would bring me the greatest happiness, instead my jubilation didn’t sustain too long. At that time my father gave me some very sage advice, which I follow to this day. This was from the Bhagwad Gita – let your focus be on your actions. Do your best and do not worry about the outcome.

Why is the pursuit so complicated? Indian seers have for millennia described the paths to true happiness through a deeper understanding of concepts such as compassion, doing without expectations, destiny and meditation. The idea of deep breathing originated in India thousands of years ago. Studies show that deep breathing changes brain circuitry if done regularly. It brings concentration and a sense of calm. Yet in India we have abandoned our ethos of meditation and seem to have found more satisfaction in our smartphones. Be it every religion and philosophy, Buddha to Gandhi, Aristotle to the latest self-help guru… all have tried to define happiness and emphasise its importance. We all seem to be searching – yet, time and again our solutions appear to be those that give only short-lived shots of instant gratification. The Covid-19 lockdown has offered us a chance to reclaim those paths.

There are countries where the paths to happiness are more cherished than academic or financial achievements. These cultures value human relationships, physical well-being and nature more than the modern virtues that define success. In Colombia for example, many roads are closed weekly to promote walking, cycling and skating, and cities are laid out such that people criss-cross and interact. Despite its lack of prosperity, it is high upon the happiness scale. And Bhutan is a shining example where the measurement of Happiness is an integral part of its governance.

In our quest for lasting happiness, there are some low-hanging fruits one could try and work upon.

Being Human

The first step is to give ourselves the permission to be human – to acknowledge the fact that we have emotions, positive and negative, and that we must accept emotions as normal and a very human thing to feel. It is equally important to accept that the next person is the same as us, though they may have a different set of emotions. So perhaps the first step is acceptance of ourselves and everyone as human beings with feelings.

Stop Worrying

A big enemy is worry. As we age we tend to worry a lot more than we ever did. From worrying about children to worrying about finances to even the smallest of things like a telephone ring, we become anxious people. It is important to give up on distractions that make us say and do silly things and instead focus on what is important to us. Why should we at all worry about things that might or might not happen?

And by worrying we do not control the outcome – all it does is create unnecessary anxiety.

A Variety of Activities

We have to cultivate a variety of activities that can keep us engaged. We need to have a new way of looking at our self – as someone who continues to pursue and enjoy a variety of activities within our limitations. Yes, it is true that many of us cannot climb a ladder or cycle or trek. But we still can go to a museum, click photographs, repair broken stuff or have some fun with our dog. Movies still enthuse us, as do plays and books and web browsing. Technology is also helping us by bringing in various digital tools at our disposal. Never mind that words or spelling may temporarily escape us. We can always ask Google or Siri to fill in the blanks.

Dealing with Loneliness

Loneliness is perhaps the single biggest problem of old age. We must all cultivate and nurture healthy, intimate relationships. Happiness is very high in countries that focus on genuine relationships, where differences are accepted without acrimony or pressure and there is a great degree of tolerance. Effort has to be made to establish a network of friends and relatives, both old and young alike, with whom one can engage in meaningful conversations. With the young there is always something we can barter. They may know how to reset our cellphones or find channels on our television, and we can help them with our wisdom.

Being Creative

Creativity is not limited to young people. At any age, it can open people up to new possibilities, add richness to life and sharpen the mind. Even when all is lost, our capacity, to appreciate and approach each day with a sense of purpose, is not lost. We should try something new that is either an extension of what we did before or that takes us in a new direction. For example, if you have been a dancer all your life, you could reinvent yourself as a choreographer when you can no longer dance.

Healthy Lifestyle

It helps to pursue a healthy lifestyle of wholesome food, daily exercise and supportive social connections. Of course, advancing age has taken — and will continue to take — its incremental toll. Exercise releases endorphins which make us feel good. We may often wake up wobbly and our backs may hurt. We must nevertheless take care of our bodies to the best extent we can. Every simple thing counts, even wearing sensible shoes and gripping the handrail better going up and down stairs.

Being Grateful

Gratitude is another vital key to unlocking happiness. Expression of gratitude and appreciation, in whatever form you prefer, promotes positivity. It is known to strengthen the immune system, especially when, as a group or in the family, you make regular efforts to showcase what was enjoyable and what you feel grateful for.

Happily Ever After

All these are but a few of the things we can do to finally achieve that 40% happiness that comes from our actions and our outlook on life. It is still a long drive ahead, we have just left the city and entered the highway. There will be fewer twists and turns, fewer traffic signals, less overtaking and fewer ups and downs. With the right mindset we will be able to see the bright blue horizon up in the distance. So enjoy the rest of the drive. Someone once asked me about retiring and I said, “I have run a tyre company all my life, why should I think of … re-tiring!”

Harsh Goenka is Chairman of RPG Enterprises. Recently he topped a list of India Inc captains, ranked on the basis of their social authority. He is very active on Twitter, and is known for his inspirational, information and often humorous take on life and events. He tweets at @hvgoenka

Harsh Goenka’s Pick of the Top 20 Indian Restaurants – Read Here

Happy Memories: World Cup 1992, India v/s Pakistan

Ayaz Memon

July 15, 2020

Indian Cricket Team — Indian Criclet Team - 1992

The World Cup 1992 encounter between India and Pakistan always brings back happy memories, writes Ayaz Memon

One of my most joyous memories is of India beating Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup at Sydney. Purely from a cricketing point of view, the match was unremarkable: a low-scoring affair with hardly a noteworthy performance. Yet, its impact was to be enormous. Let me set up this game here for readers to understand why.

This was the first time India and Pakistan were meeting each other in the World Cup. In the previous four editions (1975, 1979, 1983, and 1987), the two countries featured in different groups. The only possibility of them playing each other was either in the semis or final.

India’s record till the 1983 tournament had been dismal. Pakistan were much the better team in limited overs cricket till Kapil Dev and Co turned the world upside down. In 1987, the World Cup shifted to the sub-continent. India and Pakistan were joint favourites and expected to meet in the final, but both lost in the semis.

Based purely on this track record, it should have been even stevens when the two countries met in Sydney in mid-March 1992. However, from 1986 the equation between the two sides had tilted so heavily in favour of Pakistan that it seemed almost an impossibility India could win, whatever the conditions or situation.

To explain this conundrum, I must rewind to the final of the Australasia Cup between the two countries in Sharjah on April 18, 1986. Cricket had taken firm root in the UAE, thanks largely because of the appeal of Indian and Pakistani players for the expat population living in the emirates. A final between the two teams was a bonanza.

The match was a humdinger. India looked to be certain winners when Pakistan were reduced to 209 for 6 chasing 246 to win. This might seem like a very modest target today, but in the 1980s, around 250 was always a challenging score.

Moreover, the pitch was sluggish, making stroke-play difficult. This in turn meant that required run rate had kept mounting even as wickets kept falling, and by the time Pakistan captain Imran Khan was dismissed (6^th wicket), India’s total looked insurmountable.

One man, however, hadn’t given up. Javed Miandad, who had come in at number 4, had taken firm root, keeping the innings going with resolve and stealth even as batsmen at the other end fell. Now he took complete charge, farming the strike, steadily picking up boundaries, to keep the target within reach.

The match reached an incredibly tense climax. At the end of the 49^th over, Pakistan were 235 for 7, needing 11 runs to win. Difficult, but not impossible. Miandad, who had gone past his century, hit Chetan Sharma’s first delivery towards the boundary. Kapil Dev’s brilliant throw had Wasim Akram run out, trying to give Miandad the strike.

Miandad narrowed the margin with a boundary off the next delivery, but failed to get two and keep strike off the next, exposing Zulqarnain, who was clean bowled by Sharma. Five runs were now needed off two deliveries, but last man Tauseef, not Miandad was on strike. Advantage India.

Somehow, Tauseef and Miandad scrambled through for a single off the fifth delivery, leaving Pakistan four runs to win off the last delivery. The entire stadium was on its feet for this rousing climax. As Sharma ran in to bowl, there was pin drop silence.

It was a low full toss. Miandad got under it with quicksilver reflexes, and tonked it over mid-wicket for a 6. He had pulled off an incredible victory for his team. What followed was bedlam among Pakistan supporters, but Indian fans and players were enveloped in funereal silence, disbelieving of what had transpired.

Such was the psychological trauma caused by Miandad’s last-ball six that India inevitably stumbled against Pakistan thereafter, even from eminently winnable situations. And not just in Sharjah, but even in their own country, as seen in 1987.

It is in this context, that the 1992 World Cup match between the two assumes significance. When the itinerary was released months before the tournament, this match was ticked off as a sure win for Pakistan. On the eve of the match, the buzz was not so much about which team would win, but by what margin would Pakistan triumph.

When India made a very modest 216 – thanks largely to youngsters Sachin Tendulkar and Ajay Jadeja, the result looked foregone. India looked to have been undone by the `Miandad Effect’ once again. But the second half of the match had a surprise in store.

Pakistan stumbled in what had seemed an easy run chase. Two wickets fell early, which brought in India’s nemesis Miandad into the middle. But this time he looked completely out of rhythm, spending 110 balls to score 40, which was in complete contrast to how he had plotted and destroyed India in Sharjah in 1986.

The only memorable part of Miandad’s innings was his altercation with wicket-keeper Kiran More. A frustrated Miandad responded to More’s jibes at his poor batting with a jack-in-the-box act that to this day remains the strongest highlight of that match.

India went on to win by 43 runs. Pakistan were to recover from this setback and go on to win the tournament. India were eliminated early, yet had gained massively for the future. The spell cast by Miandad’s last-ball six at Sharjah which had lasted six years was finally broken.

Since 1992, India have never lost to Pakistan in the World Cup.

Does Advertising make you Happy?

Prabhakar Mundkur

July 15, 2020

Does Advertising make you Happy - Cover Image

As we try to lumber back to the normal lives we lived in 2019, the brands that use happiness as a cue might be the most successful, writes Prabhakar Mundkur

Can advertising make you happy? Of course, it can. It can also make you sad, pensive, frightened and apprehensive. But most often, when advertising makes you happy, it works for the brand or product being advertised. In the HBO show MadMen, set during the boom of the ad industry in the 1960s, Don Draper famously said: “Advertising is based on one thing – happiness”. He wasn’t wrong. He was only advocating something the advertising world has always known.

A long time ago, research seemed to show that advertising that was entertaining seemed to be more effective than advertising that was not. Take this ad for the launch of Honda in the United States. It said: ‘You meet the nicest people on a Honda’. There is something so sweet and innocent about the ad. And, after all, meeting nice people is a happy feeling, isn’t it?

One doesn’t want to meet mean people or unhappy people or rude people. In fact, the first Honda ad had a nun in it. And one expects nuns to be very nice! Honda went off to a flying start as a brand in the US.

As a brand, Coca-Cola has been pursuing happiness for the longest time. Coke is a happy brand. And it wants to make people drink it happy. Which is why there is always fun and laughter in a Coke ad. And the happiness starts right from the time you are unhappy or in other words thirsty. The pop of opening a Coke bottle or the crack of opening a Coke can and the fizz are the first emotional triggers to happiness.

Just two years ago, Max Roser at the University of Oxford said:“The world has more reasons to be happier than ever before. In almost every way: poverty, literacy, health, freedom, and education are improving”.

In the West, Christmas is one of the happiest occasions and one would say that from John Lewis to every other brand advertising during the festive periodcelebrates happiness and warmth. The trend is even more pronounced in India, which gives itself much more reason to celebrate given the number of festivals that are celebrated here.

“After surveying almost half a million respondents in 2018, the prevalence of positives across the ads we’ve tested has grown too. Happiness is up from 7% to 12%; Amazement 4 to 7% and Warmth from 5 to 6%. There’s a huge opportunity for brands to give people what they want and lift the mood of the world as we continue into 2019.” – Rebecca Waring, VP, Insight & Solutions, UnrulyEQ.

Happiness is typically clubbed together with other emotions like exhilaration, inspiration, amazement and warmth.

Source : Unruly

In 2018, Samsung’s “Be together” commercial was about happiness. About families celebrating together even if they were geographically apart. Many brands are constantly celebrating happiness. Tanishq, Cadbury’s and a whole range of Indian brands are about happiness. The ads always have smiling faces and happiness writ all over them.

With the Covid-19 pandemic having created so much sorrow in the world, one can’t help feeling that as we all try to lumber back to the normal lives we lived in 2019, the brands that use happiness as a cue might be the most successful.

The world is more in need of happiness than ever before.

Harsh Goenka’s Pick of the Top 20 Indian Restaurants

Harsh Goenka

July 15, 2020

Harsh Goenka lists his top 20 restaurants in India

I consider myself a food adventurer. I am always on a quest looking out for fresh culinary experiences and new flavours to savour wherever I go. Having spent the better part of my adult life honing my epicurean curiosity, I thought it would be relatively easy to list what I consider to be the top 20 restaurants in India! But instead it has proved to be a difficult exercise.

As with art, the experience is highly subjective.My selection is naturally restricted to those I have visited and also by my being a vegetarian. This automatically excludes some amazing non-vegetarian contenders and newer ones like Kappa Chakka Kandhari and Kimono Club that I have heard good things about, but unfortunately haven’t been to.

But what is it that makes a restaurant not merely good, but great? The flavour of the food? The service? The ambience? There are two more criteria that heighten the overall dining experience for me – inventiveness and presentation of the cuisine.It has to be a feast for the eyes and the taste buds.Fortunately of late we also have several top-class international chefs frequenting our country and this exposure has certainly added to our expectations.

Tragically some of my fondest food experiences can never make it to this list …mouthwatering fare from hole-in-the-wall eateries or on the streets. Paanipuri, Jhalmuri or Rasta Sandwich represent the ultimate comfort food for me.Some of the small South Indian cafes in Chennai and Kolkata offer the softest and fluffiest of idlis and crisp tasty dosas but lack the ambience. I still enjoy old-fashioned Indian continental food, a phrase you rarely hear nowadays except in a few restaurants or clubs in Kolkata where time has stood still. How can I leave out Bar-B-Que where I so enjoy eating Punjabi-Chinese food? Or St Jude’s kitchen in Bandra run by Gresham Fernandes, which cannot qualify as a restaurant because of its pop-up format?

So here’s my list of top 20 restaurants in India:

1. Indian Accent, The Lodhi, New Delhi

Indian Accent is without question the best Indian restaurant in the country and Chef Manish Mehrotra is clearly the pioneer of contemporary Indian food. Successfully retaining authentic flavours, while using global trends in enhanced presentation, he introduced the concept of plated Indian food and made each dish a visual delight. His Moradabadi Dal and Daulat ki Chaat (something that I had prompted him to bring on the menu) are personal favourites.

2. Avartana, ITC Chennai

Avartan meaning turning around, they have deconstructed Southern cuisine and “turned” it into a brilliant multi-course meal. The herb infused Rasam in a French press, and served in martini glasses as an aperitif got me hooked, and it was a win-win experience all the way through. The menus, painstakingly perfected over two years, have some delightful food pairings and are so good that I often think of travelling to Chennai just for this.

3. Masque, Mumbai

Chef Prateek Sandhu has been the trendsetter in Mumbai for re-imagined traditional cuisine. The Kashmiri-influenced food is ingredient driven and he is constantly innovating the offerings depending on season and availability. Exotic berries, morels and vegetables foraged from the Himalayas find their way into the dishes in inventive ways. Mid-course the flaky Katlam roti served with walnut chutney and other relishes is a favourite of mine. The small tasting room, a new concept, is a great dining out experience with friends. Several international chefs collaborate with Masque and the result is a refined, organic blend of delightful food.

4. The Table, Mumbai

When Table opened in Mumbai in 2011, it was the first restaurant to launch the concept of small plates with a very varied international menu. Ever since, their quality has been consistently excellent. I can never have enough of their truffle pasta, zucchini spaghetti – a healthy version of the noodles – and caramel ice cream with popcorn. There is a nice warm vibe to the restaurant with a lovely balance of elegance and casualness.

5. Wasabi, Taj Mahal, Mumbai

Saturday nights the red and wood-panelled fine dine is filled with Mumbai’s jet set, and it is impossible to get a seat without prior reservation. The secret of their success is their authentic ingredients, freshly flown in every day from Japan.

The Tofu Carpaccio and Avocado Tacos are absolute must-haves for a vegetarian. Having eaten at their partner restaurant Morimoto in Philadelphia, I would dare to say that Wasabi is far better, or perhaps the offerings have been fine-tuned to suit the Indian palate better.

6. Izumi, Mumbai

It has a charming café atmosphere and is always buzzing with young energy. Serving truly mouthwatering Japanese cuisine, this tiny restaurant is always a delight to visit. The dishes are delicately flavoured with great emphasis on fresh ingredients, many of which are flown in from Japan. Despite that the food is very well priced. I particularly enjoy their ramen noodles and sushis. Though their menu is limited, there are enough vegetarian options to have a gourmet experience.

7. Bombay Canteen, Mumbai

As busy and buzzy as a college canteen, there is a wonderful playfulness about the regional fare on offer. It is an excellent place to savour diverse regional and local favourites tweaked with a creative flourish. So don’t go there expecting a fine dine experience with cutting edge techniques. Instead, the home style sweet-spicy-tangy flavours and the friendly smiling service will get you to return! Try their barley jowar salad, dabeli and round it off with coffee rasgulla. I have really enjoyed their food festivals where they have invited Bengali, Oriya and South Indian exponents of regional cooking. Tom Zacharias is young and dynamic, and I am sure he will go places.

8. Bukhara, ITC Maurya, New Delhi

Bukhara has been an all-time favourite for North West Frontier food in Delhi and became iconic after Bill Clinton’s visit. Their open kitchen was a trendsetter when they began. It has remained consistent in taste and quality and though the menu is limited it has some very special dishes. Their Dal Bukhara is legendary and ITC actually exports cans of it worldwide. They are masters of tandoori cooking and their tandoori gobi and paneer is simply divine. In true Indian style, their food is best eaten with the hand.

9. Chinoiserie, Taj Bengal, Kolkata

The best Chinese restaurant in India which was inspired by the iconic Golden Dragon in Taj Mumbai. What makes it special are the different flavours they offer based on various provinces of China. Their crackling spinach and corn kernels are a perennial hit. It is a very hospitable place where the people go out of their way to cater to the customer’s wishes, and they have adapted the taste very well to Indian preferences.

10. Thakkar Bhojanalay, Mumbai

I remember having gone there as a child and have fond memories of the place when the cost of a meal was only Rs 10. Now the meal costs as much as Rs 500, and the eatery is now airconditioned but continues to be very humble and basic, with Formica-topped tables and standard foam-covered chairs. What it lacks in ambience, it makes up for with its warm and hospitable service. They serve freshly cooked, sumptuous Gujarati food with some Rajasthani influences. You get unlimited servings and the food is served piping hot. The first floor diner is so popular that you have to be prepared to wait for a table. Interestingly, it is so famous on the international culinary circuit that every well-known chef visiting India comes here as a pilgrimage.

11. Tresind, Mumbai

It is a sophisticated dining place, very competitively priced, and its set meals are charmingly presented and equally delicious. A delightfully enjoyable experience is their Dal served with subtly different masalas and varied ingredients representing the different regions of our country and as a motif of national integration. What makes it special is that the Dal is table-cooked in front of you. I also enjoyed their interpretation of some local dishes like Khandvi and Gajar ka Halwa.

12. O Pedro, Mumbai

Goan food was never high on my list of preferences till I visited O Pedro. Chef Hussain Shahzad has modernized traditional Goan fare and made it more sophisticated, while reflecting the region’s culinary diversity. His novel interpretations, while often retaining the typical coconut-kokum base, are definitely praiseworthy. The place is very well designed and reflects the charming casual vibe that Goa stands for.

13. Artusi Ristorante, New Delhi

What makes Artusi special is that it is a fine dining restaurant, yet it doesn’t have a typical formal ambience. It serves authentic Italian food in a warm, cosy environment. Sticklers for attention to detail, they handmake their pasta daily and also the breads and sauces are made in-house. Their soups and pastas are delectable while their tiramisu is highly recommended.

14. La Plage, Goa

The best part of this French restaurant is sitting on the sandy beachfront. And the hammocks and casual sitting add to the chilled-out holiday vibe. It’s run by a French couple who refresh their menu every year, while keeping some perennial favourites. It is rare to find delicate French food in India and their beetroot and mango carpaccio is a winner. If in Goa this charming seaside eatery is worth a visit.

15. A Reverie, Goa

It is situated just a bit away from the beach and the settings are charming with ample space around. The menu is diverse and changes frequently with lot of seasonal ingredients dominating the selection. Excellent Western cuisine presented elegantly.

16. Bomra’s, Goa

As someone said, this was Goa’s best kept secret. Created by Bawmra Jap, known for his inventive cooking, Bomra is an excellent restaurant for Burmese food, which I thoroughly relish. Burmese food goes very well with the Indian taste and is rich in flavours and very fresh. The tomato salad and the Khow Suey are my favourites.

17. Diva, Delhi

Run by the diva of restaurateurs, Ritu Dalmia, Diva is amongst the best Italian restaurants in India. You will find one of the best thin and crisp pizzas in the country at Diva, and it is the go-to place if you are looking for fresh truffles in the right season.

18. Gunpowder, Goa

Set in a charming Portuguese villa, Gunpowder serves good Southern Indian food with a lot of Malabari favourites to savour. Particularly finger licking are the appams and ishtew.

19. Comorin, Gurgaon

It is Manish Mehrotra’s new community dining place. Comfort food of every region and street favourites are delectably presented. It is innovative and the atmosphere is excellent. Simple food, freshly made and amazingly flavourful.

20. Qualia, Mumbai

Rahul Akerkar, who pioneered the fine dine scene in India with his Indigo, makes a comeback with his latest offering. With a menu and interesting food pairings honed over months, it shows the passion Rahul has put into its dishes. The pizzas and pastas are mouthwatering tasty. What they serve is good looking soul food with an interesting balance of sweet and sour flavours.

That brings me to mention a few of my favourites, which I regret could not find a mention in the list. Yauatcha, Americano and Swati Snacks all in Mumbai and Tres in Delhi, all of which serve outstanding, consistently good quality, great-tasting food.

All the restaurants in this listing have fascinated me with their creativity and their genius of combining disparate, often unlikely elements and making them work in unique flavour-filled ways. With each passing day, I am learning ever more to appreciate simplicity and inventiveness in food and these artisans of food never cease to amaze me.

Salli, Soli and Saala BC-MC… Bachi Karkaria on the Parsis

Bachi Karkaria

July 15, 2020

In the second of our series on Communities, the inimitable Bachi Karkaria holds forth on probably the quirkiest of them all – the Parsis

How dare you ask me to write on this topic, Editorji? It’s a contradiction in terms, and only an oxy-moron would think that such a species with common traits exists. Our most common feature is that each of us is so uncommon. Shylock may have said ‘Sufferance is the badge of all our tribe’, but we have as little use for it as a meal without eggs. Instead, ‘Individuality is the badge of all our tribe’, as much as the sadra we wear. Naturally, the ‘I’ factor kicks into even this sacred garment. Hilloo, Pilloo and Villoo put their own stamp of necessity or style on it, wearing it panty-long or bra-short, Magyar-sleeved or strappy, everyday muslin or elaborately bordered net for special occasions. Or the entire garment dispensed with by ivory-skinned Ava and other members of our Only Backless Classes. Poor Nasloo can’t take so many liberties with his sadra. And even less with the Nagging Najoo in his life.

A direct ancillary of our individuality is our readiness to jump into disagreement, with our own unmusical scale of disagreeability. Amartya Sen wrote ‘The Argumentative Indian’. But, if he’d been foolhardy enough to narrow it to The Argumentative Parsi, he’d never have completed the manuscript. And no publisher would have dared touch it for fear of a cornucopia of correspondence — clarifying, correcting, complaining or just plain cantankerous. Among the many sayings that hold a mirror to our community is the one that if he can’t find an opponent, the Parsi will argue with the reflection in his ‘arsi’.

Bomi vs Bejoy

Long ago, a Manjula Padmanabhan cartoon in Parsiana depicted two gentlemen in traditional topi and beaked noses, with one of them asking in genuine bepuzzlement: ‘Best community? Which others are there?’ I’d come to Bombay just a few years earlier from Calcutta, home to the Bengalis who also inhabit a lofty ivory tower, not deigning to recognise any other lesser human breed. I realised soon enough that it was a neck-and-neck race between my former and present fellowmen, and we Parsis won only by a nose-length.

The sense of superiority is not without reason. The Bombay Bawa (and more so bawi) is as much the custodian of culture as the self-anointed Bong (who else in all India knows not to clap between the movements of a Western symphony?). We better the Banerjees in baritone though they could match us barrister for barrister. And doctor for doctor. But, aha, would anyone pay a premium for a Bengali-owned car? Nah! Bejoy babu would never sully his hands by driving it himself (at 20 kmph), forget about lovingly wiping off engine grease and polishing it to a shine every Sunday.

Bombay meri jaanu

I must confess that I didn’t fully know what it was to be Parsi till I moved to Bombay. Oh yes, we were a well-knit community in Calcutta with our sports and amateur dramatic clubs, Youth League, Scouts and Guides troops. We earnestly listened to spiritual lectures amidst the body-building apparatus of the Saklat Physical Culture Institute since this was the only dedicated space till Seth Eduljee Olpadwala, owner of Byron’s Soft Drinks, donated his palatial mansion to the community. But we were still only a tiny outpost, with a tinier population. In Cal, my chances of casually encountering a kaumrade were as slim as the thighs of Freny Fatakia aka Fatakdi, but my eyes goggled as I passed scores of Parsis at bus queues, bazars and bowing to the gates of fire temples as I made my way from VT station to my aunt’s flat. There I got torpedoed by the depth charge. It was my first encounter of the Baug kind. It was a rite of passage more fundamental than my navjote, the ceremony which inducts every Parsi-born child into Zoroastrianism.

Pitching camp at Homai Masi’s house, I learnt what it meant to be a dyed-in-the-dhansak Parsi, not the shorshey-bata-compromised saas ni machhi Bachi I’d been for the past 21 years of blissful ignorance. This was my initiation into the true faith. Here’s a list of its Tata Steel-clad principles which I discovered as I was sucked into Bombay Bawadom.

The fourfold path. Zoroastrianism’s threefold tenet of good thoughts, good deeds, good words have acquired a fourth, secular add-on, the good life. This is manifested in the Parsi peg, the staggering lagan nu bhonu, the everyday willingness to ‘Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die out’. And the fact that after the obligatory obeisance to our oldest, most sacred fire ‘enthroned’ in the Atash Behram at Udvada, every true believer must genuflect to toddy and tareli-boi spiked gargantuan meals at the nearby, Sidhwa family-run Globe Hotel ( Estbld 1924). Church and state satiated-ly un-separated.

A distinctive multilingual fluency. In my first weeks I was bemused by my cousins’ awed admiration of some neighbour’s ‘second language’. Was that loutish Langrana boy, who couldn’t string together a coherent sentence in English or Parsi-Gujarati, a secret linguist? Ask and ye shall receive a revelation. ‘Second language’ was shorthand for the felicity with which Parsi men pepper their speech with the common ‘BC-MC’ gaali.

Zain and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. No Kawas can be a redblooded bawa stud unless he spends all Sunday morning lavishing near-erotic attention on his Kawasaki, and then varrrooming up to Lonavala, the sparks flying at every hairpin bend as his beauty grazed the ghats.

The ‘Apro’ Appropriation. ‘Apro’ means ‘our’, and is a familiar, almost familial way of making a storied personage your own; ‘Apro George’ was the original, referring to the British monarch who visited Bombay in 1911 , and whose photograph along with that of Jamshedjee Tata hung on either side of the portrait of the Prophet Zarathushtra in most homes till they were recently dethroned by newfangled notions of interior décor. The pronoun-ed possessiveness extended to ‘Apro JRD’ and passed on to ‘Apro Ratan’. There was ‘Apro Adu’ referring to the late and much-missed Adi Marzban, theatre genius and owner-editor of Jam-e-Jamshed, which every Parsi had to read for its vital hatches, matches and despatches columns. And of course there’s ‘Apro Zubin’, twice-born because he’s not only a cultural icon, but an international one.

Salli per eedu is one of the several typical egg dishes in Parsi cuisine

You couldn’t possibly have a Parsi meal without raspberry soda

The Ovoid Alter Ego. You cannot think of a Parsi without eggs any more than you can make a kanda-kothmir no poro without them. Forget cholesterol, cardiac arrest and maybe Covid-19 too, eeda is to us what Edam is to the Dutch, more so because we have more ways to deploy them than any Hollandaiser. We can steam an egg atop everything bar a dal, turning any other wallflower veggie into the darling of the dining table. Why, we even welcome a bride with the circling of an egg around her head (not that this has helped up our precipitous decline in fertility). We even extend this to the new car in our life. Maybe we should call that ritual ‘BMW par eedu’.

Mamma Knows Best. The Indian mother’s son fixation is a national affliction but, again barring the Bengalis, in no other community is vice versa equally true. There are so many single Parsi men not because they are gay (though many are that too) but because their mothers won’t give them a divorce. And wives must learn to live with a disadvantaged threesome in the marriage, there’s no way they can compete with the Other Woman, ‘my Mamma’.

Cusrow Baug is a landmark in South Bombay

The Ganga Network. Very early in my Bombay foray, I learnt that she was the third woman most critical to Baug dynamics. The nav-vari -sari-sporting, sharp-tongued, no-nonsense part-time bai was essential not only for the sweeping, swabbing, and scrubbing of ‘vaasan’ to mirror finish, but equally for her role as grape-vine. It was she who kept A Block Alamai fully apprised of the bickering in B Block Batliwala flat, why the matrimonial negotiations for D Block Dinbai’s ‘maari doll-jevi dikri, Daulat’ came to naught, and the salacious details of Philandering Philly’s latest transgression. Upward mobility on both sides of the social divide have made her a dying breed, with her educated daughters and nieces no longer needing menial jobs, and younger wives no longer staying home and needing neighbour gossip to ‘mithoo-marchu’ up their lives. All power to both progressions, but a regretful goodbye to the joys of making mincemeat of Colourful Coomi together with the ‘kheema na kawab’. Or generally making a random kachumber of reputations.

If it’s Britannia it must be Berry Pulao

Yes, we Parsis are dying out, but you can be sure we won’t go glumly into the night. We’ll go out dancing with our retrofitted knees, drinking till Sala Soli’s last bottle is downed, dining like there’s no diabetes or arteriosclerosis. And, oh yes, arguing interminably with the Almighty, using all the ‘second language’ unfailingly at our command.

The Centre of the World

Urvi Piramal

July 15, 2020

The Centre of the World - Cover Story — Sunset in the Galapagos island.

The Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean are a utopia of crystal blue waves, dotted with sandy beaches and tropical plants, writes Urvi Piramal

Photographs: Urvi Piramal

By all accounts, the Galapagos Islands are one of the natural wonders of the world: straddling the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, the archipelago consists some 150 island clusters created by the cooled ash of the region’s many volcanoes, and of which only a handful are habitable by man.

Galapagos islands - Seniors Today — Galapagos islands – Seniors Today

It is here, towards the centre of the earth, where I journeyed in October 2018 with a group of friends. After the day-long flight to Ecuador, via Amsterdam, we alit at Quito, the capital. From here we took a 1.5-hour flight to Guayaquil and furtherhalf an hour flight to San Cristobal Island. Here we were greeted by a guide who took us on a zodiac boat to our home on the yacht – ‘Majestic’. This utopia of crystal blue waves, dotted with sandy beaches and tropical plants was to be our home for the next eight days. I was reminded of the poem by William Cowper: “I am monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute, From the centre all round to the sea, I am lord of the fowl and the brute …”

The topology and geology of the islands varies based on when last a volcano erupted in the area.Eruptions range over two centuries, with the last recorded volcano in 2009. The older islands are noticeably darker, denser and full of rich foliage; while the newer islands are as yet without flora and still have layers of basaltic and porous lava and ash. Towering over us are remnants of fast-cooled lava, black and beautiful against a purple and gold sky.

Young island which is still covered with lava with no vegetation

Tall lava body against the purple and gold sky

Flora just starting to grow on a little older island

Roughly two centuries ago, English biologist Charles Darwin visited the archipelago and his collections and observations from this period contributed to his theory of evolution and adaptation. There is a lake named after him which we were lucky to visit.

From Dawn Till Dusk

On board our 10-person luxury yacht, we had a top-deck terrace and pool; a mid-deck lounge and living space; while the bottom layer also had bedrooms. An army comprising two captains, two officers, one chef, one barman, one steward served us for the next eight days. While we roamed the area, jumping dolphin would swim alongside the boat, whistling and calling to each other.

Our days were such – we would roam the Pacific by night and dock early mornings near one of the neighbouring islands. Mornings started in time for the 6am gorgeous sunrise. We would leave the yacht by a zodiac boat and board the island.While some of the islands had a rough docking area, some required a “wet landing” – where we would have to alight the dingy in ankle-deep water, walk in the cool water to the shore, and then slip back into our footwear.

To conserve the environment, the Galapagos tourism board has deemed that visitors to the island must follow a schedule; not be above a certain number; and not be allowed to visit for more than two hours. I was amazed by the pristine islands: they were untouched by man, not a single bench, not a single piece of litter refuted the fact that only wildlife roamed there.

Our paths up the virgin beaches were dotted by marine iguanas that looked up lazily as we made our way carefully across their paths.

Marine iguanas and sealions dotting our path

The Indigenous Animals

The animals and birds here can best be described through pictures. All the fauna are indigenous to the area and can only be found here. As the Galapagos islands were being formed, animals from the mainland – South America – migrated to the islands and finding everything they ever needed, they never left.

The animals on the islands span several centuries: the tortoises are more than 100 years old and the frigate bird babies were just being born. Cormorants, initially flying birds, discovered that all their food was available in plenty and that there was no need to fly: in time, the birds’ wings grew stubbier and less feathery – they became flightless to adapt to their new reality.

Close-up of the giant tortoise which has been around for more than 100 years

Smaller than their cousins down South, these are the only penguins that live above the Equator

Marine Iguana: The only species of marine lizards on the planet – the theory being that iguanas were the only ones who had to foray into the water in search for food. These iguanas would lie basking in the sun, perfectly camouflaged among the rocks.

Sally Light foot Crab — Sally light foot crab: These brilliant red crabs made playful neighbours to the marine iguanas and many birds – possible because all these animals eat different things.

Sea lions: The sea lions would luxuriate in the sun – barely aware of our presence

A playful moment as a baby sealion gently nibbles the tail of a marine iguana

Land Iguana: Is endemic to the Galapagos Island and are vegetarian and feed on cacti and their flowers.

Pacific Sea Turtle – Is an endangered species found around the Galapagos island.

Birds

Darwins Finches — Darwin’s Finches: They have specialised beaks suited to eating seeds and insects

The male frigate bird puffs up the skin under his beak in order to attract a mate

The frigate bird family — He finds a mate, builds a nest, and the female lays a single egg

The baby is born, and papa’s red balloon shrivels up

Praying Monk: The pirates and buccaneers used to arrive at these islands as well. They use these landmarks to navigate themselves

Pelican ready to take off from the beach

American Oystercatcher -They feed almost exclusively on Shellfish and other marine invertebrates

Nazca booby is the largest booby in the Galapagos island

Galapagos Hawk is endemic to most of the Galapagos islands

End of the Day

Every morning, after visiting the islands, we would come back by breakfast.The rest of the day would be spent lounging on the yacht,snorkelling if the weather permitted, relaxingand watching the sunset from the jacuzzi.Snorkelling was an exciting experience because a whole new world opens up to you when you snorkel. You see different types of fish, swim with iguanas and sea lions. Every evening, the sun would set around 7pm, and as is common on the equator, it would set quite quickly, covering the waves and landscapes in a dusky purple and pink twilight. Looking at the sky, the air, the water, I would feel strongly an inner energy resonating with the very pulse of life and I would feel peace and wonder of God and his creations.

I would like to end with the words of William Shakespeare – “The earth has music for those who listen.”

When the Tricolour fluttered in glory at the Kargil Base

Col (Retd) Ranbir Singh VrC

July 14, 2020

When the Tricolour fluttered in glory at the Kargil Base

For most of us, war is something we read or hear about. For the soldier, it is a test of nerves and a dance with death. Colonel (Retd) Ranbir Singh, VrC, tells us first-hand how a key Pakistan point was captured in 1965

The Kargil Battle – 17 May 1965, Kargil Sector and around.

Kargil is at 8000 feet altitude and located on National Highway 1-A between Srinagar and Leh in J&K. It is 64 km further up from Dras where 4 Rajput had won the ‘Battle Honour Zojila’ on 15 Nov 1948. Col Girdhari Singh, MC (Military Cross) and Bar, the then CO was awarded VrC (Vir Chakra). My father Brig Sukhdev Singh, MC, CO 1 Patiala was also awarded VrC in Zojila Operations and they too won the ‘Zojila Battle Honour’. Coming under the Snow Belt area, it is a high-altitude field area. The surrounding mountain ranges vary from 9,000 to 20,000 feet in height. Being part of a desert area, these features are bare and devoid of any flora. The terrain is most inhospitable with the high altitude reducing physical efficiency. The mountain spurs are narrow and steep. The ground configuration favours the defender, whereas a rugged and sharp climb is extremely cumbersome for the attacker.

River Indus flowing from North downwards meanders through Kargil separating Headquarters 121 Independent Infantry Brigade Group and 4 Rajput. In the May of 1965 Brig VK Ghai was the Brigade commander, which was directly under HQ 15 Corps. Rajputs was the only infantry battalion under this Brigade. Lt Col Sudarshan Singh, all of 6’2” smart Sardar, had taken over the command of Fourth from spirited Col KPP Nair around 10 May 1965. Lt Col (Maj Gen Retd) KS Bajwa matching in stature was commanding 85 Light Regiment located there. There was only one battery of 6 x 4.2 inch mortars having limited range of 4100 yards. The second battery arrived from Pathankot on 16 May and it was deployed at Harkabahadur Bridge, adjacent to River Shingo flowing from Pakistan side and merging into River Indus. This Artillery Regiment was only one year old and itching to draw first blood. In early May, the Sector was dormant, with normal and routine activity.

The bugging factor

China attacked and humiliated India in 1962. As if this was not enough, Pakistan inflicted insult by capturing portion of Indian Territory in the Kutch Sector of Gujarat in a surprise initiative in April of 1965. The Indian Government may have decided to tackle this diplomatically, but the army was decidedly unhappy. Such situations demoralise the army. There were undercurrents and hushed rumours doing the rounds to avenge the Kutch slur. Where and what should be the target, the capture of which will give the Indian army a tactical advantage?

Possible motivating factor

Destiny cannot be predicted, at best, it can only be conjectured. Delay is a known cause of bitterness leading to reservations at lower levels. The million dollar question was; will the Govt do the honours or will it be the army to steal the thunder by taking the all important command decision to even the score with Pakistan who was basking in the recent Kutch glory. Lo and behold, such an opportunity presented itself out of the blues to Brigade commander Brig Ghai. There were umpteen surmises as to what triggered this peaceful Sector into a volatile and happening place. Many juniors professed to have inside information on the subject. It is purported that a Demi Official letter from a senior commander did the trick. Mind you, as the hearsay goes, even the letter at best suggested the possibility of capturing the highest and most formidable PAK Post Pt 13620.

There is also another understanding that the then army commander Gen Harbaksh Singh verbally spoke to Brig VK Ghai who had served under him, suggesting the possibility of capturing Pt 13620. This massive feature not only looked down upon the Brigade Sector, but also dominated the entire Kargil valley and highway NH1-A. This dominance was both irksome and unpalatable. Brig Ghai deserves abundance of praise for his grit, determination and boldness of a true commander. By taking the all-important command decision of capturing Pt 13620, he became an elite and instant hero in the making. It is also true that, should your decision boomerang, there will be none to stand by you. Vagaries and spoils of war are a natural phenomenon in war.

The route taken from Kargil Base by Bravo and Charlie Coys’, 4 Rajput for Attack and Capture of Pak Post Pt 13620

The orders

Brig VK Ghai commander 121 Independent Infantry Brigade Group called Col Sudarshan Singh, CO 4 Rajput, Col KS Bajwa, CO 85 Light Regiment, Maj DP Nayar and Maj Baljit Singh Randhawa to his Headquarters on the morning of 13 May 1965. Brig Ghai ordered 4 Rajput to capture Pakistan Post Pt 13620 and Black Rocks by 0500 hours on 17 May 1965. Since it was to be a silent attack, he ordered 85 Light Regiment, the artillery Unit to provide support on call. The enemy strength was a Regular coy minus at Pt 13620 with sections each of 3-inch mortars and MMGs besides their authorised weapons. A platoon minus defended Black Rocks supported by authorised weapons.

COs discuss initial plan

Both COs returned to Rajput office to work out further modalities for the attack. No one knew exactly what had transpired at the Brigade Headquarters and what the artillery CO was doing in Col Sudarshan’s office. Being of same seniority, they knew each other. After in-depth discussion, they coordinated artillery fire and formulated the attack plan. Col Sudarshan had just taken over the Unit and did not know the officers. He was to decide on companies and company commanders and on readjustment of defences. Reconnaissance (recce) was carried out for selection of a secure and viable attack route. When Col Sudarshan’s mind was clear and made up, he called in Major DP Nayar, Alfa Coy commander and Major Baljit Singh Randhawa of Bravo Coy (company). CO ordered Maj Randhawa’s company to attack and capture Pt 13620 by 0500 hours on 17 May 1965. Charlie Company commanded by Major Bikram Singh Chattri was to be his reserve. He was told to recce South West approach from Harkabahadur flank. Detailed orders would be given after recce reports. However, Col Sudarshan was already clear as to the approach and direction of attack as he had known this area previously. There is always some surprise element despite requisite planning. From Kargil, the snow on the massive Pak feature was not visible, as it was in reverse depression. However, actually there was plenty of snow in the selected FUP (forming up place) area and around. It was to be a silent attack on almost 14,000-feet-high mountain, despite there being snow and it being a full moonlit night. As, it was a silent attack meant to surprise the enemy, the artillery support was on call. Silent registration of targets was done off the map.

Special request

Major Randhawa came out of the COs office and reminded me of old resolve of fighting alongside in case of war. Both knew each other well and enjoyed mutual trust. What are you waiting for I asked him; go tell the CO. Therefore, Baljit asked the CO to allow Ranbir to go with his Company for the attack. The CO refused. Then I went to the CO and asked him to allow me to be the leading Platoon Commander for the attack. The CO again refused saying that I do not belong to Bravo Company. Luckily, CO 85 Light Regiment who was present in 4 Rajput CO’s office intervened asking Surdarshan to permit me as I was a volunteer. My CO then gave permission. Major General KS Bajwa, Retd has written many articles on the Kargil battle and mentioned about this incident. At the time, 4 Rajput defences in Kargil Sector were spread over about 13 km frontage.

Recce and preparation

The next two days were utilized on reconnaissance and preparations. Everyone got busy cleaning weapons and ammunition. Rehashing for occupation of defenses and relieving of attack companies was carried out on war footing by night. All this happened on the night of 13-14 May. The CO gave out his orders to his Operation Group on 15 May morning. Same night the companies moved along left flank from Kargil Base for own picket No 8 of Alfa coy under the cover of darkness. The climb was arduous negotiating narrow slopes in small groups in echelons. They rested in the reverse slopes and no movement during day was allowed.

Lt Col Sudarshan Singh, CO giving orders to ‘O’ group

Operation Group shown Enemy Defences

On 16 May morning, Major Randhawa along with essential officers and JCOs went up to the Crooked Finger area in twos and threes to show the enemy defences from behind big boulders. We all saw the PAK soldiers relaxing in the sun and smoke coming out from their langar (Kitchen). The CO also had a look at the layout. There was plenty of snow in the selected FUP (forming up place) where attacking companies were to deploy before the attack. From the FUP the climb up to the highest point was almost vertical, with huge boulders and a linear frontage. It meant that, even a platoon with two sections up could not move in the restricted area. Congestion of troops at any point would mean easy target for the enemy and more casualties for the attacker. The perimeter wall of stones around his defences was five feet high. Lieutenant Chattopadhaya with platoon minus was left behind while others returned to 8 Picket. Chattopadhaya was to keep the enemy post under surveillance and later mark the FUP by 0200 hours. This was about 300 meters from the enemy perimeter wall. The brave and spirited Lieutenant Chattopadhaya died in an encounter at Pattan near Srinagar in August 1965.

Move to Forming Up Place

The attacking troops started from 8 Picket at 2000 hours. The climb was extremely rigorous especially carrying company weapons. Picket pet dog Kalu walked alongside. He kept moving with us despite being told to go back. The companies were moving through the re-entrant to avoid detection. There were plenty of loose stones, which made the move even more difficult. At places men had to move on their fours. As planned, Chattopadhaya and his team had marked the FUP and assisted the troops to deploy there. Time was now 0200 hours 17 May 1965. It was biting cold on the snow. My platoon was ready to mount the attack. In other platoons, Lieutenants Vijay Aggarwal and Bhagrawat were also in position behind my leading platoon. Charlie Company with Major Bikram Singh Chettri sat poised behind us as reserves. The enemy post and the perimeter wall were visible in the moonlight. It was impossible to believe that the enemy had not heard the noise or seen the green uniform contrast on the snow. Moonlight shining on metal parts of the weapons could easily give away Rajput’s presence. At 14,000 feet with snow everywhere, it was freezing cold and holding weapons was painful with skin freezing on the metal parts. It was then that I suggested to Major Randhawa who was there, not to wait for ‘H’ hour of 0230 hours and immediately attack the enemy. Being from an army family, I had told the men to put two Patiala pegs of rum in their water bottles. They took a few swigs to warm-up and were ready to mount the attack.

Test of nerves and leadership

At 0200 hours, the leading troops crossed the (SL) Start Line. There was no fire from the enemy and men laboriously ploughed through snow and rocky area for 150 metres. Then all hell broke loose on the attacking men. The volume of fire was so heavy and intense that the troops took to the ground. The sudden and effective enemy fire suggested that they had come to know of Rajput’s presence and were ready waiting in stand to. It also showed good training for not opening fire from far. They patiently waited for us to get near and then fire for effect. It is here that leadership counts. Commanders at all levels pushed forward encouraging the men. Movement uphill through huge rocks was a challenge by itself. Momentum of attack is singular factor for success. Men were becoming casualties. The enemy had opened up with Light and Medium Machine Guns. They also used 2 inch and 3 inch Mortars. The troops at the Kargil Base watched the splash of mortars and flash of weapons fire. It resembled a huge Diwali firecracker show for them. There was firing on both sides. The Rajputs were closing in on the enemy perimeter wall despite multitude weapons fire and resultant casualties.

Perforating perimeter wall and the dogfight

Time was now 0315 hours. Rajputs had crossed the perimeter wall and hand-to- hand fight ensued. There was deafening noise of fire from both sides. The brave men forged ahead undaunted. The officers, JCOs and NCOs transcended their heroic leadership and led the men from the front. It was indeed a tango of life and death. It is only in battlefield that one can witness the real, life and death dance orchestrated. I moved towards a bunker with two men to silence an LMG, which was hindering the momentum. It was imperative to blunt this fire. While successfully assaulting the LMG position, Havaldar Om Parkash was killed inside the enemy bunker and I was wounded. With blood oozing out from the side of my head, I lay unconscious for some time. Major Randhawa had moved up to encourage the men to advance with speed. He told me to move back, but I refused and kept on moving with my Platoon.

The scene of the battle is difficult to describe. Had the dogfight been filmed by camera for viewing, people would have been reminded of movies like, ‘To hell and back’ and Haqeeqat. There was urgency and a frenzy-like do or die situation for both sides. The enemy was not comfortable with the progress the Rajputs had made. The entire area reverberated with war cries of “Bol Bajrang Bali Ki Jai” and “Allah Hu Akbar”. The surcharged atmosphere heightened dogmatism to succeed at all cost. The sound of firing was deafening. The dogfight was fierce and bloody. The valiant Rajputs were killing enemy soldiers and destroying weapons firing from the bunkers. There were so many Rajput soldiers lying dead or wounded. Attacks are best resorted to when the moon phase is dark, to avoid emotional and demoralising factor on seeing colleagues and buddies become casualties. Charlie Company was marking time to be unleashed. In the mêlée, some Charlie Company men became over-exuberant with josh and joined the battle royale. Sepoy Budh Singh of Charlie Company saw N/Subedar Girdhari Lal of Bravo Company moving toward an LMG, which was causing havoc. Budh Singh could not restrain himself and rushed to join Girdhari Lal. Both charged the LMG killing the enemy and destroying the gun position. While brave Girdhari Lal fell dead, Sepoy Budh Singh miraculously survived. Their bravery was rewarded with gallantry awards of Vir Chakra.

Death of a heroic leader

Time was now 0350 hours. Sensing that the daylight was not far, Major Baljit Randhawa took upon himself to accelerate the attack. He was displaying leadership and bravery of a rare order. He moved with the men firing inside the bunkers. When he entered a bunker, he was face to face with an enemy JCO. Both fired instinctively at each other. The enemy JCO fell dead and a Sten gun burst hit Major Randhawa in the chest, which proved fatal. I was at his side at the time. Major Randhawa was a diehard soldier and a leader. Though critically wounded, he kept encouraging the men to forge ahead with speed. Being next senior, I took upon myself to capture the highest point. The company senior JCO Subedar Bahadur Singh was doing a commendable job throughout the night to enthuse the men.

The final phase

Lieutenants Aggarwal and Bhagrawat moved up with speed and they were embroiled in hand-to-hand scuffles with the enemy. Lieutenant Aggarwal kept charging at the enemy. An enemy bullet wounded him in the thigh. Unmindful, he kept forging ahead with his platoon. Having survived Kargil, the valiant Lieutenant Bhagrawat died fighting in Uri Sector in September 1965. The time was now 0415 hours and day light at 14000 feet height was fast approaching. The CO, Col Sudarshan Singh moved right up. He had picked up a dead soldiers LMG and came forward firing from it. I told him about Major Randhawa. The CO said casualties would take place in battle. He told me to take over and complete the last phase of attack with aggressive speed. So encouraged, the Spartan Rajputs rushed forward towards the highest Point. The enemy was by now very jittery, unnerved and submissively demoralised. They had already lost 10 men and scores wounded. Fearing certain death of all remaining men, the enemy panicked and rolled down the steep reverse slopes to safety. The wounded enemy too did likewise. Seeing the complete enemy exodus, the brave Rajputs rushed through the last phase while firing at the running enemy. Time was now 0450 hours on 17 May 1965. Daylight had emerged and the Rajputs had completed the capture of Pt 13620 with missionary zeal.

Reorganisation

Immediately after success of the battle reorganisation is a must to be ready for any enemy counter-attack. I got on with this job. Procedures and battle drills are necessary to comply with to negate any enemy attempt to regain lost ground.

The Signal Platoon of the Unit had done a remarkable job of continuously laying telephone line with speed of the attack. Moment Pt 13620 was captured; the telephone line was through to the Brigade Headquarters via 4 Rajput base exchange. Immediately, the Tricolour, the Indian National Flag, was hoisted at the highest point, which was seen fluttering in glory by everyone at the Kargil Base, through binoculars. The CO informed the Commander of the success on telephone. As per procedure, vary light pistol was fired in agreed to colour sequence to announce and signal the success to all concerned.

Destiny, fate and aftermath

The enemy left behind 10 dead. They were able to roll down their wounded on the sharp reverse slopes.

The Rajputs lost their brave and dynamic coy commander Major Baljit Singh Randhawa. They also lost 1 JCO and 13 Other Ranks. Besides me, lieutenant VK Aggarwal and 50 Other Ranks were wounded.

The spoils of war

Captured Trophies: The Unit captured 2 x Medium Machine Guns, 2 x 3 inch Mortars and many small arms with plenty of ammunition. MMG’s and Mortars were given to 4 Rajput as War Trophies and these are kept and displayed in the Unit Quarter Guard. These battle souvenirs remain emotional link with the past, and act as morale and esprit de corps multipliers for the new generation.

Weapons captured from PAK Post Pt 13620, in picture CO, Maj DP Nayar, Maj SN Bhatnagar and Capt Ranbir

Honours and Awards: Theatre Honour was awarded to the Unit. 4 Rajput received four immediate awards, Maj Randhawa MVC (posthumous) Capt Ranbir Singh, Naib Sub Girdhari Lal and Sepoy Budh Singh Vir Chakra. Major DP Nayar and Captain SN Bhatnagar were awarded Mention in Dispatches. The Commander Brig VK Ghai of Kargil was awarded VSM Class-1.

Immediate awards announced – The Tribune Cutting dated 1 July 1965

Heroism and cimmortalised

There is a War Memorial at Kargil in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for capture of Pt 13620. This feature has been named as Baljit Post in memory of Major Baljit Singh Randhawa, MVC. I (Ranbir) went to deliver Major Randhawa’s Ashes to his Family at his Village Isapur near Amritsar.

Defence Minister YB Chavan at Kargil Jun 1965 with Brig VK Ghai, Col Sudarshan Singh, Capt Ranbir Singh and L/Nk Budh Singh

Lawfully Happy

Sonavi Kher Desai

July 14, 2020

Under the Indian Constitution, every citizen is guaranteed certain rights, which are thought to be the foundation for a happy life, writes Sonavi Kher Desai

Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States of America, and a lawyer, said: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Legislation is there to help, but the secret to happiness is in our attitude to life

Young or old, we all seek happiness. How easy is it for a senior citizen in India to enforce his or her unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness? And how successful would the pursuit be? Under the Constitution of India, every citizen is guaranteed certain rights, which are thought to be the foundation for a happy life. These rights include Justice, Liberty, and Equality for all.

Through the Directive Principles of State Policy, the Constitution aims to provide the right to education and to work in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement. It also seeks to ensure the protection of educational and economic rights of weaker sections of society, which includes senior citizens. These rights underpin senior citizens’ ability to pursue happiness in the autumn of their lives. But eventually, achieving that happiness is largely up to the individuals themselves.

It is said that life can only be understood backwards although we have to live it going forward. In other words, one has to make a concerted effort to create a happy senior life for oneself, so that one can look back with satisfaction as one enjoys the fruits of that effort. It is therefore important to plan for later years when one is younger.

Take expert advice and have a savings plan with inflation in mind

The concerns a person faces on becoming a senior citizen are mainly related to finance and health.The right to education and work ensures that we have the opportunity to get qualified and find employment. Life is made up of time, which ticks away faster than we think. If we understand that our time is actually limited, we will begin to plan our finances and healthcarewhen we are younger and in a better position to do so. And we will comfortably reap the benefits of that in later years. As we get older, money is also needed for medical treatments. It is therefore important to take expert advice and have a savings plan with inflation in mind. Having enough resources will help in being secure in later years.

The government implements pension and benefits schemes and programs for seniors under several ministries viz. Rural Development, Health & Family Welfare, Finance, Home Affairs, Railways, and Civil Aviation. The Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) is a recent pension scheme launched in 2017 and operated by LIC. Senior citizens have a right to avail of these schemes and benefits for a richer life experience.

The Directive Principles also seek to provide employment in old age to enable senior citizens to earn a living. Being independent and living a life of dignity are essential elements of a happy life. The National Policy, formulated by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry in 1999, also aims to help seniors live with security and dignity.

Another issue of concern to senior citizens is abandonment by family members and maintenance. The government has enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, to safeguard the rights of the elderly with penal provisions for abandonment. This gives senior citizens the ability to enforce their rights through special Tribunals set up under the Act.

However, the Constitution and legislation are only tools that senior citizens can rely on to ensure that their right to lead a happy life is protected. As we get older, the secret to happiness is to retain the enthusiasm of youth, to keep learning, and to engage in different areas of life to maintain social contact and keep loneliness at bay. The role of legislation is to provide support when our right to pursue happiness is being obstructed. Our happiness is determined by our attitude to life, and our attitude is made up of our thoughts. A positive mindset, the ability to laugh, and living in the present moment lead to a happy frame of mind.

Be Happy, Stay Healthy

Dr Jayant Shetye

July 13, 2020

Studies show that happiness might protect you from gastrointestinal distress, writes Dr Jayant Shetye

Serotonin, a hormone found in our body has normally been associated with a feeling of well-being. However, recently an additional function has been attributed to it by a group of scientists led by Vanessa Sperandio, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology and biochemistry at the University of Texas’ Southwestern Medical Center. The research is presented in the journal Cell Host & Microbe.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter – a chemical that nerve cells use to communicate with each other – is mainly produced in the gut but has its main effect on the brain.

The human gut is a host to millions of bacteria, called the normal flora, which help in digestion of the food. However, some of these bacteria undergo mutation and then become pathogenic, ie, start attacking the host causing serious and potentially fatal infections.

When these pathogenic bacteria are exposed to serotonin it results in reduction of expression of group of genes that these pathogenic bacteria use to cause deadly infections. Additional experiments using human cells showed that these pathogenic bacteria could no longer cause infection-associated lesions on the cells if these bacteria were exposed to serotonin. Thus, exposure to serotonin resulted in reducing the virulence of these pathogenic bacteria.

This study forms the basis of a doctoral thesis presented by Aman Kumar, at the UTSW.

Next, the researchers examined how serotonin affected virulence in living hosts.

Manipulating serotonin levels could even help fight bacterial infections in the gut, in future

Using mice, which were genetically modified to either over- or under produce serotonin in their gastrointestinal tracts, the researchers studied how serotonin might change the ability of a bacterium to infect and sicken their hosts. Those mice that overproduced this neurotransmitter were less likely to become colonised by pathogenic bacteria. However, the mice that under produced serotonin became much sicker after bacterial exposure, often dying from their illness. Treating mice that under produced serotonin with fluoxetine (sold under the brand name Prozac) to increase serotonin levels prevented them from getting sick from the pathogenic bacterium.

Further experiments identified the protein CpxA on the surface of the pathogenic bacteria that serotonin attaches to. Because many species of gut bacteria also have CpxA, it’s postulated that serotonin could have wide-ranging effects on gut bacterial health.

In the future, Sperandio and her colleagues plan to study the feasibility of manipulating serotonin levels as a way of fighting bacterial infections in the gastrointestinal tract.

Antibiotics are invaluable weapons to fight infectious diseases. Currently, few available antibiotics can effectively fight pathogenic gut bacteria. However, by altering the composition and functions of the gut microbiota, the antibiotics can also produce long-lasting deleterious effects on the host. The emergence of multi drug-resistant pathogens raises concerns about the common, and at times inappropriate, use of antimicrobial agents.

Thus, it is postulated that if we could supplement antibiotics with Prozac or other drugs in the same class, it could give us a new weapon to fight these challenging infections.

Hitting the Happy Notes

Narendra Kusnur

July 13, 2020

Music is at the top of the list when it comes to lifting the spirits. Narendra Kusnur lists 10 top cheerful film numbers

Everybody loves a happy song, and it provides the best means to unwind. As the group Osibisa sang, “Dance the body music, music makes you happy.”

There’s no formula for what makes for a happy song. It could be a romantic number, or a song sung to celebrate an occasion. Sometimes, it may make you happy because of its words, when its tune may be ordinary. At other times, it may not even mean anything, but its rhythm keeps your feet tapping.

Thus, our choice of 10 happy Hindi film songs isn’t bound by any rules. We like them because they keep us happy. So shake your head, or get into a dance act. Enjoy.

1. Ichak Dana – Shree 420 (1955)

The song lingers as an earworm primarily because of its peppiness. Music directors Shankar-Jaikishen maintained a vibrant rhythm and Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh sang Hasrat Jaipuri’s words. The song was filmed on Nargis, Raj Kapoor and a group of school children.

2. Eena Meena Deeka – Aasha (1957)

One of India’s first rock n’ roll numbers, it was composed by C Ramchandra who was inspired by kids playing ‘Eenie Meenie Miny’. Though the Kishore Kumar version became more popular, there was a separate rendition by Asha Bhosle. In the mukhda, lyricist Rajendra Krishan chose to use words that didn’t have meaning. it worked.

3. Akhiyan Bhool Gayee Hai Sona – Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959)

Geeta Dutt was truly a versatile singer, and was joined by Lata Mangeshkar on this sprightly duet. Composed by the brilliant Vasant Desai and written by Bharat Vyas, it had the lines “Akhiyan bhool gayee hai sona, dil pe hua hai jadoo tona”. A nostalgic number.

4. Kisiki muskurahato pe – Anadi (1959)

The combination of Raj Kapoor and Mukesh works wonders again, with Shankar-Jaikishen providing the music. Kapoor prances down the road in a feel-good manner, and Shailendra’s lines “Maana apni jeb se fakir hain, phir bhi yaaron dil ke hum amir hain” create an impact.

https://youtu.be/__NoCDVDEpI

5. Main Hoon Jhoom Jhoom Jhumroo – Jhumroo (1961)

Kishore Kumar did a few fantastic stretches of yodelling in this fun song, which formed part of the opening credits. He composed and sang the song himself, with Majrooh Sultanpuri writing the lyrics. A tough song to sing, but many have attempted it at parties and antakshri competitions.

6. Yahoo – Junglee (1961)

The very way Mohammed Rafi began the song singing ‘Yahoo’, we knew we were in for a happy number. Shammi Kapoor’s dancing, Saira Banu’s presence and the snow-capped locales added to the mood of the song, composed by Shankar-Jaikishen and written by Shailendra.

7. Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara – Jewel Thief (1967)

When it came to exuberant songs, Dev Anand had his quota too. His typical gait added to the charm, as proved on ‘Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara’. Kishore yodelled again in this S.D. Burman tune penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Tanuja provided the acting support.

8. Uthey Sab Ke Kadam – Baaton Baaton Mein (1979)

A fun song composed by Rajesh Roshan and written by Amit Khanna. It was picturised on a group that included Amol Palekar, Tina Munim, Ranjit Choudhary and Pearl Padamsee, who also joined Lata Mangeshkar and Amit Kumar on vocals.

9. Dukki Pe Dukki Ho – Satte Pe Satta (1982)

A large cast led by Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini appeared in this frothy number sung by Kishore, Asha Bhosle and others. R.D. Burman’s set the tune to Gulshan Bawra’s words. The film had another happy group song ‘Mausam Mastana’.

10. Ala Barfi – Barfi (2012)

Ranbir Kapoor did a wonderful enactment in this peppy tune sung by Mohit Chauhan, composed by Pritam and written by Swanand Kirkire. The song had an effervescence that made it endearing.

https://youtu.be/j0JHpYBRADA

Takeaways from Health Live @ Seniors Today with Dr Chintamani Pant

A Staff Writer

July 13, 2020

Dr Chintamani Pant - Health Webinar Takeaways Seniors Today

What is the special care that seniors must take for their teeth? Can one visit a dentist in these Covid times? What can one do for bad breath? These and many more questions were answered by Dr Chintamani Pant on Saturday, July 11 as part of the Health Live @ Seniors Today series

On Saturday, July 11, Health Live @ Seniors Today hosted leading dental surgeon Dr Chintamani Pant to speak with readers on issues concerning dental care for senior citizens.

Dr Pant is a leading dental surgeon practising in Mumbai and is one of the few dentists using a hard and soft tissue laser machine. He is a graduate from the Dr DY Patil Dental and Medical College, with a master’s degree from Sydney, Australia. Dr Pant has also done oral implantology advanced surgical courses from India, Portugal, Korea, Germany and is trained in laser dentistry from biolase in Australia.

Here are the takeaways from the Health Live @ Seniors Today Webinar

Telehealth for dental care is a no – It is not possible to opt for telehealth when it comes to dental problems. You will have to visit a dentist to get your oral health checked as all the technologies and the machineries used for dental treatment will be available at the dental unit.

Factors that affect gum health – Gum holds tooth and bone together hence it is essential to keep the gum healthy. It deteriorates as you age depending and due to factors, such as lack of oral hygiene, wear and tear of jaws, habits such as grinding and clenching, eating hard food and stress.

Maintain gum hygiene – To maintain good hygiene one should rinse the mouth thoroughly. Massage gums every day – after brushing your teeth hold your four fingers and rub till the corner of the back tooth. This will help get rid of the tartar collected around your teeth that creates bacteria in the mouth.

Visit your dentist every six to eight months – It is ideal to get your oral health checked every six to eight months to prevent gum and tooth problems.

Sensitive repair toothpaste – If you suffer from sensitivity you should opt for sensitive repair toothpaste such as Colgate Sensitive or Sensodyne. These toothpastes create a covering layer around the tooth. Over a period of time this relieves from sensitivity problems.

Relieve from toothache at home – A dab of Colgate Pain Out over the area and home remedy such as clove oil will help ease tooth problems while you are home. You may also have a paracetamol tablet if the toothache gets unbearable.

Gum diseases are hard to predict – You will not know you have a gum problem until you experience bleeding, or excruciating pain, or swelling in the gum. Hence visiting a dentist every six to eight months will help clear out the onset of gum disease from getting worse.

Teeth cleaning is unhealthy is a myth – Getting your mouth cleaned is good for your teeth. Over time there is a lot of tartar and bacterial build up that affects oral health. Getting them cleaning regular will ensure stronger and healthier gum.

You cannot restore enamel – It is not possible to restore damaged enamel. However, you can protect your teeth enamel from breaking down by using a sensitive toothpaste and using a soft bristle brush. It is also important to refrain from brushing hard. Brush gently to maintain the enamel and try to avoid acidity.

Dry mouth syndrome – Medication for comorbidities can cause dry mouth. The medicines can affect the salivatory glands by blocking ut causing your mouth to dry. There are some gels available in the market that can be used or one can suck on a lemon wedge.

Onset of oral cancer – The early signs of oral cancer can be white lesions, ulcers around the mouth, burning sensation in the cheeks, soar lips, difficulty in opening mouth, limited retraction of cheeks, spots on the tongue, are the early symptoms of oral cancer.

Dental implant is safe – Over the years, dental implants have become better. There is no risk and it is absolutely safe. Dental implants are anchored to the bone, so as long as your bone is healthy you will be able to get dental implant. However, if you have uncontrolled comorbidities, take quite a bit of medicines then your bones can get weak and that could cause a problem.

Waterlase dentistry – No more drills. Waterlase dentistry involves laser dental treatments – hard and soft tissue laser is used to perform dental treatments. Hard tissue laser is used to perform root canal, cavity, opening of the bone whereas soft tissue laser is used to perform gum surgeries and treat problems related to cheeks. Waterlase treatments heal in 24-48 hours as oppose to conventional methods.

Laser dental treatments are safe – The laser will not burn or harm you in anyway. The laser is placed closed to the affected area and it is in complete control of the dentist. A skilled dentist will be able to perform waterlase smoothly keeping all the safety measures, such as covering the eyes to avoid any reflection that could harm your eyes.

Causes of bad breath – Bad breath can happen due to various reasons, one of the most common cause is poor gut health. If you have acidity problem, or digestion problem, or bacterial problem in your stomach, it will affect your breath. Another cause of bad breath is not maintaining oral health.

Remedy for bad breath – Use mouthwash with chlorhexidine, you can easily find this in the market. This neutralises the pH level in the mouth and increases good bacteria. You can do a salt water rinse twice-thrice a day or you can add little bit of crushed alum in salt water mix and rinse your mouth with it. These are antiseptic as well as antibacterial natural agents.

Aligner trays – The alternative way to align teeth. They are transparent trays that help align teeth the way you like. Alignment of teeth and jaws are to be done at a younger age as the process happens faster; however, it can still be done at a senior age as well but the process will be slower.

Oil pulling – This is an ancient effective method. However, it depends on what oil you use and how much pressure you put on your gum. If the oil pulling method is not done correctly, then it can have adverse effects. So be cautious and well-informed before you try it out yourself. A gentle massage in a circular direction on the gum once a day should be good enough.

Point of View: Lessons – Post Special Representatives Dialogue over Indo-Tibet Border

Brig GB Reddy (Retd)

July 9, 2020

File picture of Indian Army convoy moving along the Srinager-Leh Ladakh national highway in Sonmarg area of Ganderbal District on Tuesday, June 17, 2020, following clashes with China. Photograph: Shutterstock

It is not the size that counts but the size of the fight that counts – not only political will and military will, but also social will, writes Brig GB Reddy (Retd)

Power respects Power in the hawkish world of today. Power in all dimensions include: social power; soft power (diplomacy); hard power (military); economy; technology; and political will.

Lessons must be identified and defined not only from the above variables; but also from the adversary’s end objectives, ways and means – higher directions/ grand strategy and military strategy. Also, it is not the size that counts; but the size of the fight that counts – not only political will and military will, but also social will. Add to it, it quality but not quantity that counts.

Most importantly, Xi Jinping’s end-objective – “Chinese Dream” – is recounted as backdrop to include: “achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation: “Two Centenaries”; and “Four Comprehensives.” The “Two Centenaries” are specific: by 2021, when the CCP celebrates its centenary, complete the building of a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious in all respects, with a strong military to make China the world’s dominant power by 2049, when Peoples Republic of China (PRC) marks its centenary.

Napoleon Bonaparte in 1814 prophesied: “Let China sleep for when she wakes, she will shake the world.” Xi Jinping himself used a version of the quote in March 2014 speech in France (200 years later): “The lion that is China has awoken, but it is a peaceful, amiable, and civilized lion.” A former Colonel stated later, “China was once called the sleeping lion in the East, but now we have been awakened, and Xi Jinping is the leading lion of the lion packs, who dare to fight anytime.”

China is no more a “mystery wrapped in enigma. Xi Jinping wants to reclaim “Middle Kingdom” glory for China. So, its forays in all fields are expansionist. And, the policy\military strategy enunciated includes: “Creeping Incrementalism through Extended Coercion – interwoven with strands of suspense, suspicion, surprise and coercion is quite propitious – and “Salami Slicing”. Let none in India suffer from any illusions on the above count.

The PLA current policy is a follow through of three stages of revolutionary war – strategic retreat, strategic stalemate and strategic offensive. Thus, the present rapprochement for disengagement needs to be viewed with circumspection as strategic retraction borne out of stalemate for a more opportune time to launch strategic offensive.

On usual and scripted lines following bilateral diplomatic engagement – Special Representatives Talks – it appears all “hunky-dory”: “Both sides agreed to strengthen communication through the mechanism of the Special Representatives’ Meeting, hold Meetings of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs without interruption, consistently improve and strengthen confidence-building measures and prevent more incidents that undermine peace and tranquility in the border areas.”

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to each other and agreed “to ensure at the earliest complete disengagement of troops along the LAC” and “ensure a phased and step-wise de-escalation” from India-China border areas for full restoration of peace and tranquility”.

The four areas of de-escalation include: PP 14 (Galwan), PP 15 (Hot Spring), PP 17 A (Gogra) and the Pangong Tso lake area (Fingers 4-8). The PLAs disengagement from “Fingers 4 to 8) will be the real proof at the tactical level. “Buffer Zones”, reduction of size of patrols and troops close to the LAC also to be implemented.

What about the strategic or theater operational art level – “disengagement of troops along the LAC”? After all, 2 Mountain Divisions of the Tibet Military Region and the Combined Arms Brigades have been mobilized and deployed as strike formations in their forward postures or bases poised to launch offensive strikes. Also, it must include the Air Force units to include fighters, helicopters, drones and other force multipliers.

Very little intelligence is in public domain concerning PLA postures in Central and Eastern Theaters to include Naku La in Sikkim. Thus, to view the above agreement as a great breakthrough mercilessly exposes blinkered or myopic view of geopolitics and mid and long term strategic affairs.

If “Differences should not become Disputes”, then not only “de-escalation” at the LAC, but also “disengagement” of all strike forces deployed in “offensive launch pads” must revert to their peace time stations – to usher real peace and tranquility at the LAC.

So, what are the lessons to be culled out from the recent developments? No need to convene a “Committee or Commission”. Experts have been highlighting the key requirements time and again in all dimensions on the visual and print media to include:

– Intelligence – Satellite coverage 24×365 by dedicated military satellites of the Indo-Tibet border; need for instant flow of intelligence from nations with whom agreements exist; and forge partnerships with other nations for sharing of intelligence.

– Hard Power (Security Forces) Reforms:

1. Indo-Tibet Border Guarding Forces:

- ITBP (60 Battalions) to be converted as two Infantry Regiments each with 30 battalions (under the Indian Army Ministry of Defense) and designated as Ladakh Regiment and Arunachal Regiment.
- SSB (73 Battalions) to continue under the Ministry of Home to guard the Himachal and Sikkim-Indo-Tibet Border, UP-Nepal Border and Indo-Myanmar border.
- Reassign and Redeploy over 40 Assam Rifles Battalions to guard the Arunachal Pradesh-Tibet border instead of ITBP under the Indian Army;
- Recruitment to the Ladakh and Arunachal Regiments from locals due to their high altitude warfare compatibility; and,
- organise local guerilla/militia groups along the Indo-Tibet border:

2. Indian Army:

Present 17 Corps designated as Mountain Corps to be located in Northern Command and integral Task Forces Divisions located in Leh and at suitable location on Manali-Leh Road (through Rohtang Pass).
Raising of Second Mountain Corps by regrouping for Eastern Theater to be located in mountains.
Fast tracked indigenous production of guns and long range ammunition.

3. Tri-Service Command, A & N Islands: Immediate development of Campbell Bay and Nan cowry islands as Air Force and Naval bases for SU30MKI/TEJAS and Submarines with Surface to Air Missiles and Brahmos Shore-to Ship based missiles.

4. Air Force:

Fast-paced indigenous production of SU-30MI, Rafael’s, Tejas MK1A and Mk2 by round the clock work; and design and development of Stealth fighters pending which acquisition of F-35s.
Fast-tracked acquisition of S-400 Missile Systems from Russia and deployment in Ladakh.
Indigenous production of ASTRA and Brahmos BVVRM missiles for jet fighters.

5. Navy: Fast paced indigenous production of submarines and other ships on order.

The list is suggestive for expeditious action by the political hierarchy; and not all inclusive. Financial constraints cannot anymore delay them. Even the three services of the Armed Forces must impose “Ban/Freeze” under the Head of “Major/Minor Works” like buildings, roads and compound walls to save every single rupee to meet operational needs.

What about strict austerity to be observed by the Presidents Estate, PMs and other VIP entourage extravaganza, and the Chief Ministers and State Governments outrageous expenditures on high-fly projects. The States too have to observe strict control over financial extravaganza for the sake of modernizing armed forces.

Social Power: Criticism by the opposition parties highlighting frivolous reasons in times of “War-like” situation on the borders is contra national unity. To stem the rot of internal social divide, the ruling party may like to convene the Parliament session and discuss in detail the present situation and the details of projected requirements. Also, there is a need to counter effectively the “influence operations” carried out by adversaries.

Economic Power: The temporary ban on trade, particularly on the “Digital Front”, may appear quite insignificant; but when viewed in the overall context of trade war against China by the US, Japan, and others, it is quite rattling for China. In no way, the central government should lift the ‘bans or restrictions” on trade. Instead, the ruling regime must encourage and financially aid local trade agencies and start ups to actively enhance their capabilities.

Technology Power: India remains a laggard although claiming to be having a “large scientist pool” of young qualified personnel. Departments like the ISRO, DRDO, IIS, IITs and other institutions must in cooperation with private enterprises must design, develop and indigenously produce high-tech innovations in all fields. No use in boasting to be a “Software Power”, when the country stands outsmarted by the Chinese counterparts.

Finally, political will expressed episodically is certainly good, particularly to boost the morale of the troops on the front line, but needs to be matched expeditiously by breakthroughs in all other variables of national power. The critical Chinese Centre of Gravity lies in the Andaman and Nicobar Island region straddling the Great Channel through which nearly 80 percent Chinese trade transits. Rapid military infrastructure development is of utmost significance.

It is also high time for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally visit all science and technology units to ascertain their status and direct them to deliver on ‘time-bound” basis. After all, today we are living in “Technology Age”. Unless the scientists innovate, design and deliver in a time-bound manner and technologists accelerate the transfer of technologies simultaneously to private partners, India will remain a laggard which is contra national security interests.

The views expressed here are the writer’s, and do not necessarily represent those of the Publisher and Editors of Seniors Today

Are you always Tired?

Dr Suresh Agrawal

July 7, 2020

What causes fatigue and how to fight it. Dr Suresh Agrawal provides answers

Fatigue is not a natural consequence of ageing, it’s more related to the changes that occur due to age and commonly associated diseases. Fatigue is common when you’re fighting any kind of illness, from infections to autoimmune disorders. All of us feel tired some of the time. Usually, it goes away, either with sleep or time.

But if unexplained fatigue continues for more than a few weeks, it’s time to figure out what’s causing it. Keep in mind that more than one culprit may be responsible for causing fatigue.

Here are the reasons that could cause fatigue :

1. Sleep Deprivation – Thomas Alva Edison invented the first practical light bulb some time in 1879- 1880. With this he lighted our homes but took away sleep. Many people are unable to get sound and peaceful sleep, due to various reasons, but light is one of the main culprits. Light has changed our Circadian Rhythm, due to which many people are unable to sleep in time, their brain remains active, by the time brain goes into sleep mode, it is time to get up.

Many of us simply aren’t getting enough sleep and are paying the price the next day.

It is better to switch off or dim all light emitting sources such as TV, mobile and tube light at least one hour before going to sleep. Maintain a regular sleep pattern, and avoid alcohol at night. Consider keeping a sleep diary to help you identify factors. Keep in mind that as you get older you may not require the seven to nine hours you used to.

2. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) – Loud snoring is a clue. OSA is when something blocks part or all of the upper airway, while a person sleeps, and breathing stops involuntarily for brief periods of time during sleep, causing episodes of decreased oxygen supply. As soon as brain receives less oxygen, its sensors get activated, leading to deep long and forceful breath, and this cycle of periodic stoppage of sleep go on all through night. This leads to disturbed sleep and day time somnolence and fatigue. It will be prudent to find out cause of OSA, before prescribing a vitamin, common causes for OSA are obesity, enlarged tonsils and adenoid, and smoking. The standard treatment, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, involves wearing a mask over the nose to force air into the throat and keep the airways open.

3. Anaemia – Anaemia means that your blood has too few red cells or those cells have too little haemoglobin, which transports oxygen through the bloodstream. Haemoglobin is less than 12.5 gm/dl in adults and in children below 11gm/dl. Haemoglobin in Red blood cells present in our body work as courier for Oxygen and other gasses, which are exchanged in lungs during each Respiratory cycle, Haemoglobin carries Oxygen to all cells of our body and brings back carbon dioxide, which are exchanged in lungs. With less Haemoglobin, oxygen carrying capacity will be less, hence less energy.

There are three main reasons older adults become anaemic Kidney disease is one. If your kidneys are not working properly, they may not be able to help your body make the red blood cells it needs. It can also be due to blood loss from somewhere, usually along the gastrointestinal tract or it’s in the bone marrow, which could be due to a malignancy.

4. Hypothyroidism – The thyroid gland in our body produces two related hormones – Thyroxine and Triiodothyronine hormones. These hormones play a critical role in cell differentiation during development and help maintain thermogenic and metabolic homeostasis in our body. Less thyroid hormones mean less metabolic activity in our body and the person will complain of tiredness, irritability and difficulty in doing routine daily works. Thyroid hormone supplement will do wonder to people with Hypothyroidism and bring back their energy.

5. Missing key nutrients in daily diet – People over 50 are more likely to experience nutrient deficiencies – Vitamin B12, Vitamin D and Folic acid will be complaining of fatigue, and by correcting these deficiencies, fatigue will disappear.

6. Depression and Mood Disorders – Depression, being alone and other psychosocial issues are a huge factor in older people. Depression and mood disorders affect our cognitive functions and ability to sleep, more often in older populations. Exercise can make a huge difference. The best thing for fatigue is physical activity — no matter what the underlying problem. The goal should be 30 minutes daily of moderate-level activity or antidepressant medicines will do work as well.

7. Dehydration – Dehydration can cause the body to feel extremely tired. Sometimes something as simple as drinking a glass of water may relieve from feeling tired. However, for people suffering with chronic fatigue syndrome should be taken care of, as they may require attention replenishing themselves.

8. Systemic illnesses – Heart disease can cause the heart to pump blood less efficiently and fluid to build up in the lungs. This, in turn, results in shortness of breath and less oxygen supply to the heart and lungs. Heart failure, coronary artery diseases, valvular heart diseases, asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) are common causes of fatigue in elderly, and many times may not have been diagnosed in time or underdiagnosed.

9. Medications – Seniors take a lot of medications, and a lot of those medications tend to make people feel tired. Medicines used for allergy and common cold, sneezing can give rise to fatigue. If a person has started a new medicine and they notice fatigue, they should report this to the doctor. Sometimes just moving the drug to the evening or lowering the dose can help, but sometimes you need to change to a different medicine.

For long-term care, a person should be explained and educated of the condition, its potential impact on physical, psychological and social impact. As far as possible, non sedative medicines should be used in elderly. Practical advice should be given regarding lifestyle modifications. Moderate regular exercise, light dinner, and early to bed will be helpful in many people with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Takeaways from Health Live @ Seniors Today with Dr Malavika Kohli

A Staff Writer

July 6, 2020

Dr Malavika Kohli - Health Webinar Takeaways Seniors Today

On Saturday, July 4, Health Live @ Seniors Today hosted leading dermatologist Dr Malavika Kohli to address issues around skin health for seniors.

On Saturday, July 4, Health Live @ Seniors Today hosted leading dermatologist Dr Malavika Kohli to speak with readers on issues concerning skin care for senior citizens as also respond to their questions.

Dr Kohli has been practicing for over 25 years and is a consultant dermatologist at the Jaslok and Breach Candy Hospitals in, Mumbai. She is the director of Skin Secrets – Prominent Dermatology and Aesthetic Centres and has been a consultant cosmetologist for the Femina Miss India beauty pageant, and has been a judge at Vogue Beauty Awards and Vogue Bridal Show.

Here are the takeaways from the Health Live @ Seniors Today webinar –

Common skin problems among seniors – As you age your skin gets thinner, your hormones change, repairing of the skin becomes slower, and like other organs in your body skin begins to lose its vitality. Due to this, you experience dryness of the skin – on the scalp and entire body. Your skin becomes prone to drug rash, fungal infections, rashes due to environmental changes, and allergic reaction to food or medication.

Aesthetic skin problems among seniors – On the aesthetic side you begin to experience lines and wrinkles on your face, back of the hands and neck. Your skin becomes more prone to pigmentation and due to various health conditions, your skin becomes sensitive. Your nails begin to grow slower, they become dry and brittle. Your hair begins to lose the lustre, you may experience hair fall, balding. These are the aesthetic skin problems as you age.

Barrier repair moisturiser – The new generation of moisturisers, they not only provide moisture to the skin but also help repair it. Barrier repair moisturiser will help ease itching, relieve from rashes and keep your skin hydrated.

A rash could be a sign of health conditions – If a rash does not go away with a good barrier repair moisturiser then it could be due to some health condition or a food allergy that needs to be looked into.

It’s never too late to care for your skin – Whether you are in your 70s or 80s it is never too late to look after your skin. The skin responds but it responds slowly so one has to be patience when it comes to skincare. You will have to keep up with your skincare to reap the benefits of having healthy skin.

What you eat matters – For good skin, hair and nail health one has to have a healthy diet that comprises one red, one green and one yellow food items, a handful of nuts, flaxseeds, good amount of protein, carb and fat every day.

Warts can be cancerous –With age some people begin to notice warts on their skin. These warts are usually harmless and can be removed easily with a simple procedure using a local PU cream. However, sometimes these warts can be cancerous for which a derma scope is used, but such cases are rare in India. There are two types of warts viral and genetic. Viral warts can come from pools, pets, and massages. They have to be removed and have a tendency to come back. And if they are genetic the only way is to remove them.

How to pick up a shampoo – There are two types of shampoos detergent-based and non-detergent based. Depending upon your scalp you can pick a shampoo. If you have an oily scalp and dry ends you can use a detergent based, sulphate-based shampoo to degrease your scalp and use a conditioner for dry hair to nourish your ends. If you have a normal healthy hair then you can use a shampoo conditioner – rolled into one bottle. If you have dry hair then you have to use a more conditioning-based shampoo as well as a conditioner. If you have unruly hair then you have to use detergent-free, phosphorous-free, sulphate-free shampoos that don’t add to the frizz. Then you have the coloured, chemically treated hair, there are specially designed shampoos for coloured hair type that has less of chemicals, less of detergent. And then you have shampoos that prevent hair fall. These shampoos have caffeine, peptides, amino-acids, to nourish the hair follicles, help strengthen and prevent hair fall. Read the labels before picking up the shampoo.

Freckles indicate your skin is sun-sensitive – It is essential to use a sunscreen if you have freckles. In most cases freckles are genetic. If you have freckles you have to use sunscreen every day, twice-thrice a day. You may get treatments done but the chances of them coming back are higher.

Sunscreens are lifelong partners – The newer generation of sunscreen are oil-free and silicon-based. When picking up a sunscreen look for a broad spectrum, it should consist of zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and iron oxide. Keep in mind to pick up a sunscreen with zinc oxide. You can have an indoor sunscreen with SPF 30 and an outdoor sunscreen with SPF 50+. It is ideally to use a sunscreen twice a day, every day.

Indoor lights have UV rays – It is essential to use a sunscreen indoor as well because the light emitted by our gadgets and in the house have UV rays, infrared or blue light that darken the skin.

Remedy for dry brittle nails – Lack of biotin causes nails to become dry and brittle, especially with age. So, one can start with 10mg biotin for three to six months and then to 5mg biotin daily. This would be a good vitamin for your hair as well. Using a moisturiser with ceramides in it, helps build lost fatty layer of the nail. You can also use cold press virgin coconut oil.

Coconut oil for itchy skin – If you have dry and itchy skin apply pure coconut oil 20 minutes before a bath and use a gentle soap, pat your skin dry and use a generous amount of barrier repair moisturiser. Please be careful of falls as oil can be slippery.

Infrared light can cause pigmentation – Pigment cells are not only photosensitive but also heat sensitive – humid kitchens, ovens, induction stoves can cause pigmentation. To prevent your skin from pigmentation in such places apply a generous amount of broad-spectrum sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide every two to three hours.

Moisturise your hands after washing – Frequently washing and rubbing your hands makes you hands dry. Wash your hands gently, do not rub them too hard, 10 minutes later apply some moisturiser. Do use a barrier building ceramide moisture to prevent it from excessive drying.

Dr Malavika Kohli can be reached at 9167239464 or 7045693499 for a tele-consult and via mail at malavikakohli@gmail.com

Final bow for the Maharajah?

Prabhakar Mundkur

July 5, 2020

A little bird says Tatas may come full circle and acquire Air-India. Will the regal mascot strut again as he once did, asks Prabhakar Mundkur

JRD Tata founded Tata Airlines in 1932. Being a pilot himself, he flew the very first flight from Karachi to Mumbai at the Juhu aerodrome in a de Havilland Puss Moth. The plane was carrying mail. It was named Air-India when it became a public limited company after World War II. With our pseudo-socialistic policies post-independence Air-India got nationalised in 1953, perhaps the very first blow to the brand. Governments were known to ruin service businesses because of their orientation and red tape. BOAC was one of the first government owned airlines that was rescued from government ownership when it made the successful transition to British Airways and private ownership in 1974. However with JRD Tata as Chairman until 1977 the airline still did well.

The first logo of Air-India was the centaur which was a version of Sagittarius shooting an arrow in a circle represented by the Konark. The symbol stood for movement and speed but of course one could ask why a western symbol for an Indian airline. Some say that perhaps the symbol was reminiscent of the farohar, a Parsi heavenly symbol featuring a winged man. The Tatas being the founders might have instinctively liked it.

Once upon a time, Air-India was the epitome of good service and airline hospitality. The famous Maharajah was designed by their advertising agency JWT to signify the feeling of being treated like royalty both in-flight and on the ground. The brand quickly became popular with its lovable mascot, the Maharajah. The Maharajah has ruled Air-India advertising for the longest time in Air-India history.

SK ‘Bobby’ Kooka, the Commercial Director of Air-India is once known to have said. ‘We call him a Maharajah for want of a better description. But his blood isn’t blue. He may look like royalty, but he isn’t royal’. Famous for having conceived the Maharajah along with Umesh Murdeshwar Rao of JWT in 1946, the Maharajah is one of the oldest mascots in the world. Kooka was later Chairman of JWT ( then Hindustan Thomspon Associates ) and could watch the Maharajah and Air-India advertising grow in stature and popularity.

Ivan Arthur, earlier National Creative Director of JWT, and now educator and author, when asked about the Air-India advertising, said, “Conceived as a letter-head design, the Maharajah broke the fetters of the line drawing and became flesh with a personality and DNA of his own: the double helix of gracious exotica. That DNA did not permit him to stand in the street corners of conventional media and tout his destinations like a cheap ticket salesman. His famous romps on those hoardings were not advertising. They were non-advertising: parlor talk, one-liner points of view, camaraderie, provocation and good humor, all of which did not ask you to buy an Air-India ticket. In fact, in many of the hoardings, he refused to have the Air-India logo as sign-off. He was the sign-off. He was no commercial mascot. He became a national figure. Much loved and respected.

Today it looks like he has shrunk back into that letter-head design, standing in corners to sell a seat. A soulless skeleton, still hanging on to yesterday’s clothes; a pretender, a tout masquerading as royalty. But perhaps, that is what is called for today. Hard sell.”

So then, do we need this maharajah at all? Surely, we can do this hard sell in the shiny new idiom and in all the shiny new media of the day. Give him a decent burial.”

The Maharajah dies a 100 deaths

Come the ’80s, however, frequent changes to the Chairman of Air-India position resulted in the Maharajah dying a 100 deaths. Air-India chiefs were keen to kill the Maharajah in lieu of something new and more contemporary. One such case was when in the late ’80s one Air-India chief hired Landor the well-known design firm to redesign the logo of Air-India in 1989. An airline identity change is one of the most expensive identity changes for any industry because it involves re-painting all the aircraft, the livery, the ground vehicles and every signage in every country. But Air-India went through all that bravely, eager to dump both the Centaur, which was their logo for the longest time and the Maharajah who was accused of not being in tune with the times. Rajan Jetley, then Managing Director of Air-India, had said in defense of the new logo, “It is a public statement of change and a product exercise in the classic marketing sense.” The logo was an oval sun on a sash.

This was painted on the tail of the aircraft and the Boeing 747 Rajendra Chola became the first aircraft to carry the new logo and the livery. This facelift is known to have cost Air-India $35 million back in 1989. But the public started questions about the change, immediately missing their familiar brand Air-India. Questions were also raised in Parliament about the change of identity. But in spite of the identity change, the Maharajah seemed reluctant to leave the brand and its advertising. For every one person who didn’t want him, there was a loyal fan who wanted him back.

This was true of consumers as well. The Maharajah doll as shown above, once upon a time had pride of place in the living room showcases of most Indian families. The brilliant sun logo was short-lived. A few years later Air-India was back with the Centaur which had been its identity since the airline first started out as Tata Airlines.

2007 – Anxious Times

The merger of Air-India and Indian airlines put the question of Air-India’s identity once again on the dock. The then Minister of Aviation Praful Patel wanted to morph the insignias of the two airlines so that it reminded the travelers of both Air-India and Indian Airlines. Along with the identity change, the eternal question remained whether to retain the Maharajah or not but he seemed to have outlived yet another crisis in the history of Air-India. The logo of the merged airline was a Flying Swan with the Konark Chakra placed inside it. But the charm that the Maharajah once exhibited seemed to have deserted him. He was no longer charming and had forgotten his antics and his quirky puns.

Of course, after Air-India decided to change agencies the standard of their advertising declined. Very much like the decline after JRD Tata was moved out of the board of Air-India.

It is 66 years since the Government made Air-India theirs. But with the imminent sale of Air-India, the Tata Group has already shown their interest in the airline they originally founded. If that happens Air-India will come full circle. And perhaps given their historical attachment to Air-India, the Maharajah might not have to take his final bow just yet.

Fafda Files – Life is a Box of Chocolates

Minoo Shah

July 3, 2020

Fafda Files - Life is a Box of Chocolates

At work, the white masters saw us as different shades of brown, a box of chocolates if you will, writes Minoo Shah. To the Anglo-Saxons, white is not just a colour, it is the features, the mannerisms, the whole ball of wax!

Chocolates are brown, soil is brown, sepia photography is brown and my face is brown. All things lovely! I am trying to understand this deep desire to become white – the world over. It all started with making chocolates white, then they used bleach to color the landscape, coaxing dark-coloured people to become white (easier said than done). Ultimately, when they started using negatives to depict Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu, Obama and Smita Patil, and museums white washing Neanderthal exhibits, I had to speak up.

Garnier Adv - Source Medium.com — Garnier Adv – Source Medium.com

Like Bollywood has not got its share of a whiplash lately, let us continue the persecution of Sonam Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, et al (quite self-serving to be selling whitening cream, I say). However, it is my job to pick on an NRI – so here goes. In all sincerity, Priyanka Chopra when you have children, they will be white in the winter and brown in the summer (inherited melanin and so forth). You might want to consider buying up all the rights to your face whitening cream ads and hide them ‘where the sun don’t shine’. Just a thought to save you future embarrassment. Oh, but Pee Cee (grouping all guilty celebrities under this poster child abbreviation), you have caught on and rescinded, because Black Lives Matter is a forefront dialogue and a flavour of the moment on a global scale. All that scurrying by mass media and ad companies alike – let’s remove the word ‘fair’, celebrities (yes, you know who you are, you obsessive divas) giving statements qualifying their mindsets then and now. Kangana Ranaut queening it because she said ‘no’ to a 2 crore rupees contract. Blah, blah, blah. Vegas is taking bets and the odds are in favour of white. Why? Because of the belief – white is all things pure and black is all that is evil. Now this is a fight, I will refrain from joining because my focus is the different shades of brown. It’s a middle of the road fight to the finish – winner takes all!

Folks, Indians are already there, let’s rejoice. Oh, but we can’t, because years and years of colonisation have left us with a slave mentality. I first realised this when I came to the US. Indians within the diaspora were still talking in terms of ‘yeh gori, woh saavli’ and those of us in the latter category assenting with bowed heads because we were seasoned. Then came the big eye-opener. At work, the white masters saw us as different shades of brown, a box of chocolates if you will. Lo and behold, lightning strike! To the Anglo-Saxons, white is not just a colour, it is the features, the mannerisms, the whole ball of wax! Anthropology 101 folks!

Where am I going with this? I don’t know. What I do know are facts. There are more coloured people in the world. White people do not want coloured people to become white (although Michael Jackson thought differently), because who else would they rule, what if the Vikings come back, please people do not aggravate them by confusing them further. I plead to you, we NRIs live among them and there is only that much of their anxiety we can handle.

This pandemic has done a number so take some pity and let white be white, black be black and let us celebrate the fact that we are brown and depending on the odds, we will continue being of brown demeanor and the scales will tilt no matter who is selling the idea. Because, our time is here and now. It’s now or never, so….

…onward ho, through the fog – let us set forth and find a catchy phrase – Black Lives Matter is taken, White is White is taken and we dare not angst the Chinese (the ones from mainland China) by stereotyping yellow as synonymous to all that’s wile like reptile-eating, flooding the world with really, really bad stuff including furniture that does not last, electronic games whose batteries explode and mostly because they may try to take Ladakh (although, 56” ki chhatiwala unka baap koi papad nahin bel raha) – in your dreams, fellas!!! Where were we? Oh yeah – the catchphrase – I am Brown, Get that Down!

10 Saroj Khan songs that will want you to do a jig

Narendra Kusnur

July 3, 2020

She was the Queen of Hindi film song choreography. Narendra Kusnur lists videos of her songs that defined her work

When it came to Bollywood choreography, the name Saroj Khan spelt magic. Not surprisingly, her biggest hits were filmed on the three biggest heroines of their time – Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai.

Khan, who passed away on Friday, left behind numerous memories. Most of her hits featured large groups of dancers, and that required attention towards everyone who appeared on screen. Often aided by lavish sets, be they clubby hangouts or palatial spaces, she contributed to the success of many songs, just by getting the dance moves right.

Here, we chronologically choose 10 songs that defined her work. Many were created in the late 1980s and early 1990s when she was at her peak, and the competition was less. But she maintained her status till last year when she worked on songs in Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi and Kalank.

1. Hawa Hawai – Mr India (1987)

“Bijli giraane main hoon aayee, kehte hain mujhko hawa hawai”, sang Kavita Krishnamurthy, as Sridevi danced stylishly. Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s music, Javed Akhtar’s words and the large group ambience blended perfectly.

2. Ek Do Teen – Tezaab (1988)

The song that literally shot Madhuri Dixit to superstardom. One remembers the crowd chanting ‘Mohini’ and Dixit beginning a ramp dance in a pink outfit. Khan’s choreography was in tandem with the Laxmikant-Pyarelal-Javed Akhtar combination.

Link – https://youtu.be/MS5BLS2sIDM

3. Mere Haathon Mein – Chandni (1989)

The Yash Chopra film had Sridevi doing classical dance in a wedding set-up. Lata Mangeshkar’s voice, Shiv-Hari’s music and Anand Bakshi’s lyrics suited the ambience, and Khan got the best out of the actress.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo-WHs3bw34[/embedyt]

4. Dhak Dhak – Beta (1992)

Thanks to the dance moves of this song, Madhuri Dixit began to be called the ‘dhak dhak girl’. The tree-laden setting and Anil Kapoor’s presence added to the aura, as Anand-Milind composed the song sung by Anuradha Paudwal and Udit Narayan.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFsjO1ZELXU[/embedyt]

5. Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen – Baazigar (1993)

One of the early hits picturised on Shah Rukh Khan, this also featured Kajol in an indoor club set. Kumar Sanu sang the number. Music was by Anu Malik and lyrics by Dev Kohli. The story goes that Kajol got Saroj Khan’s suggestions right in the first take.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhKXq5dhTag [/embedyt]

6. Choli Ke Peeche – Khal Nayak (1993)

The song attracted controversy because of its lyrics, written by Anand Bakshi, but Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s tune sung by Alka Yagnik and Ila Arun was a huge hit. Khan got Madhuri Dixit, Neena Gupta and Rajasthani folk dancers to do some amazing steps with Sanjay Dutt watching.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rPaq8TZ6Kg[/embedyt]

7. Nimbooda – Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

Based on a Rajasthani folk song improvised by music director Ismail Darbar and lyricist Mehboob, this tune was lavishly set and picturised on Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgan. Singer Kavita Krishnamurthy excelled.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLsIl0G0qlM[/embedyt]

8. Radha Kaise Na Jale – Lagaan (2000)

A folk dance picturised on Aamir Khan and Gracy Singh in a village setting, the music was composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Javed Akhtar. Sung by Udit Narayan and Asha Bhosle, it was very gracefully performed under Saroj Khan’s directives.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNnvL0ztJhA[/embedyt]

9. Dola Re Dola – Devdas (2002)

One of Saroj Khan’s most memorable works as she extracted great dance steps from both Aishwarya Rai and Madhuri Dixit. Composed by Ismail Darbar, written by Nusrat Badr and sung by Shreya Ghoshal, Kavita Krishnamurthy and KK, the song had a typical Sanjay Leela Bhansali grandeur.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58qky-vPSkE [/embedyt]

10. Barso Re – Guru (2007)

Unlike many Saroj Khan hits, this was not a group song but filmed almost solo on Aishwarya Rai, barring two shots. Shreya Ghoshal was accompanied by Uday Mazumdar, with Rahman providing music and Gulzar lyrics. The dance steps inspired many youngsters.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCkM1wDc880[/embedyt]

Seniors TodayLife & Time

Seniors TodayLife & Time

Seniors TodayLife & Time

PLA Artillery Technology Absorption, Force Levels and Capabilities

Understanding the four most significant breakthroughs in PLA artillery is vital to draw conclusion of their capabilities, writes Brig GB Reddy (Retd)

Perspective of PLA Force Levels, Capabilities and Intent: Ladakh War Scenarios

To assess full PLA capabilities, even the PLA Air Force and PLA Strategic Rocket Forces capabilities needs to be reviewed to reach final assessments, writes Brig GB Reddy (Retd)

Fafda Files: Howdy, Houston!?

Amidst all the sensational news, Houston continues to hold a steady rank as a city with the highest surge of coronavirus and the least available hospital beds, writes Minoo Shah

Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine shows promising early results

The preliminary trial results of the vaccine are very encouraging, it is safe and can train the immune system but it requires more work.

10 Non-Raj Kapoor Hits of Mukesh

When you think of singer Mukesh, the first things that come to mind are the songs of Raj Kapoor, but there are numerous gems that did not feature the showman, writes Narendra Kusnur

Takeaways from Health Live @ Seniors Today with Dr Anand Shroff

Fafda Files: Bubs and Bai

What has relegated this otherwise shrew of a woman with a soul of a banshee into a cowering shadow of her former self, wonders Minoo Shah

10 Rajesh Khanna love songs on his 8th death anniversary

There were numerous hit songs picturised on Rajesh Khanna, and the masses adored his unique screen mannerisms, writes Narendra Kusnur

1. Gunguna Rahe Hain Bhanware – Aradhana (1969)

2. Chup Gaye Saare – Do Raaste (1969)

3. Pyar Diwana Hota Hai – Kati Patang (1971)

4. O Mere Dil Ke Chain – Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972)

5. Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai – Daag (1973)

6. Suno Kaho Kaho Suno – Aap Ki Kasam (1974)

7. Hum Donon Do Premi – Ajnabee (1974)

8. Ankhon Mein Humne Aap Ke – Thodisi Bewafai (1980)

9. Hamein Tumse Pyar Kitna – Kudrat (1981)

10. Pyar Ka Dard Hai – Dard (1981)

Lawfully Happy

Under the Indian Constitution, every citizen is guaranteed certain rights, which are thought to be the foundation for a happy life, writes Sonavi Kher Desai

Final bow for the Maharajah?

A little bird says Tatas may come full circle and acquire Air-India. Will the regal mascot strut again as he once did, asks Prabhakar Mundkur

The Maharajah dies a 100 deaths

2007 – Anxious Times

Recent

The Power of Positive Thoughts

Embrace Ageing

Prunes – The Underrated Superfood

Exercise Safely

A Diabetes Diet: What to Eat and Avoid

Seniors TodayLife & Time

Seniors TodayLife & Time

Seniors TodayLife & Time

Suguna Sundaram writes about the eternal romance between cricket personalities and film stars

To mark Mohammed Rafi’s 40th death anniversary on July 31, Narendra Kusnur chose 10 tunes with a common emotion of ‘yaad’

1 Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki – Dulari (1949)

2 Aapne Yaad Dilaya Tha – Aarti (1962)

3 Yaad Na Jaaye – Dil Ek Mandir (1963)

4 Yaad Mein Teri Jaag Jaag Ke – Mere Mehboob (1963)

5. Woh Jab Yaad Aaye – Parasmani (1963)

6. Din Dhal Jaaye – Guide (1965)

7 Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya – Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (1966)

8. Hum Intezaar Karenge – Bahu Begum (1967)

9. Hui Shaam Unka Khayal Aaya – Mere Humdum Mere Dost (1968)

10. Tum Mujhe Yoon Bhula Na Paaoge – Pagla Kahin Ka (1970)

Understanding the four most significant breakthroughs in PLA artillery is vital to draw conclusion of their capabilities, writes Brig GB Reddy (Retd)

To assess full PLA capabilities, even the PLA Air Force and PLA Strategic Rocket Forces capabilities needs to be reviewed to reach final assessments, writes Brig GB Reddy (Retd)

The Texas Medical Association recently released a chart of activities that poses lower to higher risk of getting infected by Covid-19. While some activities are riskier than a few others, it is of utmost importance that you take as much preventive measures as possible.

Why should one wear a mask? Which kind of mask should one opt for? Are cloth masks effective? These and many more questions were answered by Dr Anirudh Kohli on Saturday, July 25 as part of the Health Live @ Seniors Today series

Here are the takeaways from Health Live @ Seniors Today

Amidst all the sensational news, Houston continues to hold a steady rank as a city with the highest surge of coronavirus and the least available hospital beds, writes Minoo Shah

Make your home look like the ones in interior magazines with these tricks

Here are 11 tricks to tidy living:

The preliminary trial results of the vaccine are very encouraging, it is safe and can train the immune system but it requires more work.

When you think of singer Mukesh, the first things that come to mind are the songs of Raj Kapoor, but there are numerous gems that did not feature the showman, writes Narendra Kusnur

What has relegated this otherwise shrew of a woman with a soul of a banshee into a cowering shadow of her former self, wonders Minoo Shah

There were numerous hit songs picturised on Rajesh Khanna, and the masses adored his unique screen mannerisms, writes Narendra Kusnur

1. Gunguna Rahe Hain Bhanware – Aradhana (1969)

2. Chup Gaye Saare – Do Raaste (1969)

3. Pyar Diwana Hota Hai – Kati Patang (1971)

4. O Mere Dil Ke Chain – Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972)

5. Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai – Daag (1973)

6. Suno Kaho Kaho Suno – Aap Ki Kasam (1974)

7. Hum Donon Do Premi – Ajnabee (1974)

8. Ankhon Mein Humne Aap Ke – Thodisi Bewafai (1980)

9. Hamein Tumse Pyar Kitna – Kudrat (1981)

10. Pyar Ka Dard Hai – Dard (1981)

Harsh Goenka on how to smile in times of trouble

Being Human

Stop Worrying

A Variety of Activities

Dealing with Loneliness

Being Creative

Healthy Lifestyle

Being Grateful

Happily Ever After

Harsh Goenka’s Pick of the Top 20 Indian Restaurants – Read Here

The World Cup 1992 encounter between India and Pakistan always brings back happy memories, writes Ayaz Memon

As we try to lumber back to the normal lives we lived in 2019, the brands that use happiness as a cue might be the most successful, writes Prabhakar Mundkur

Harsh Goenka lists his top 20 restaurants in India

So here’s my list of top 20 restaurants in India:

1. Indian Accent, The Lodhi, New Delhi

2. Avartana, ITC Chennai

3. Masque, Mumbai

4. The Table, Mumbai

5. Wasabi, Taj Mahal, Mumbai

6. Izumi, Mumbai

7. Bombay Canteen, Mumbai

8. Bukhara, ITC Maurya, New Delhi

9. Chinoiserie, Taj Bengal, Kolkata

10. Thakkar Bhojanalay, Mumbai

11. Tresind, Mumbai

12. O Pedro, Mumbai

13. Artusi Ristorante, New Delhi

14. La Plage, Goa

15. A Reverie, Goa

16. Bomra’s, Goa

17. Diva, Delhi

18. Gunpowder, Goa

19. Comorin, Gurgaon

20. Qualia, Mumbai

In the second of our series on Communities, the inimitable Bachi Karkaria holds forth on probably the quirkiest of them all – the Parsis

Bomi vs Bejoy

Bombay meri jaanu

The Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean are a utopia of crystal blue waves, dotted with sandy beaches and tropical plants, writes Urvi Piramal

From Dawn Till Dusk

The Indigenous Animals

Birds

End of the Day

For most of us, war is something we read or hear about. For the soldier, it is a test of nerves and a dance with death. Colonel (Retd) Ranbir Singh, VrC, tells us first-hand how a key Pakistan point was captured in 1965