Love unites, but separation too is a part of it. Lovers are wedded in souls and when they part, the pangs of separation are profound. This is what one feels when one listens to the song, ‘Laagi tumse man ki lagan’ by Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, son of Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan and nephew of late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Born in Faisalabad, Pakistan, Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is the successor to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, carrying forward his legacy with sheer reverence and devotion. Rahat isn’t just a singer or an interpreter; he is also a composer and a creator. Soul Curry shared few moments with him on his recent visit to India.

• SOUL CURRY: Just like your name, your voice casts a spell of rahat, please tell us about your inspiration?

• RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN: My inspiration has always been my Guru, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Saheb. As a child, I wanted to learn music and Nusratji gave me the right training to understand the intricacies involved. When I was just seven, he gave me extensive exposure to live performances with the ensemble – no verbal lessons. It is indeed a blessing of Allah that Nusratji adopted me as his son and successor for spreading the message of love and brotherhood.

• SC: What has been the essence of your training under Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan?
  

• RFAK: I would like to answer this by sharing with you what I learnt from my master. Nusratji never used to get angry. Whenever somebody would criticize his work, he never retaliated. On the contrary, his performance used to be his answer, and I noticed the same people coming back to him to express apologies after the show. He gave me this key to accept criticism positively and invest time and energy in riyaaz. He said that whenever your work is criticized, analyze it yourself, practice more and that’s all you need to do. Your performance should be your answer.

• SC: Do you ever face criticism?

• RFAK: Several times! After the untimely demise of Nusratji, listeners were just not ready to accept any new voice leading the group. But I was determined and I kept on singing. Then came the time when my voice found its way into the people’s heart and they were charmed. It’s all Allah’s grace that now listeners have accepted my singing.
• SC: Does it make any difference, if people accept your voice or not?

• RFAK: Yes, it does. The purpose of all this work is to spread the paigam of love to one and all. Now, if people would not accept me and my voice, the whole purpose gets defeated. How else will I be the messenger and spread the message of peace, love and brotherhood. Indeed the acceptance is really important in this journey.
• SC: Your singing casts a spell of devotion, how do you relate to spirituality?

• RFAK: I seek spirituality through my music. When I’m singing, I feel like I’m one with God. ‘Uske bina nahi chain piya, ro ro beete meri rain piya’.
• SC: What’s the magic in music that elevates the listener?

RFAK: It is all about the atmosphere that is created with the help of kalaams i.e. sufi poetry and ragas which entrance the listener. When we go overseas for performance, we often ask this question from our audience there. Foreigners don’t understand our language but still they enjoy our qawallis. It’s all in the alaaps, the ragas that the listener experiences the strides of feelings.

The trek from Pahalgam to Amarnath Cave is on an ancient route. It takes four days to cover this 45-kilometre route which can at times be hazardous, if not intimidating. But when you know that you are in the lap of the captivating Himalayas and that thousands, perhaps millions of people, have walked on this path for centuries, and are still doing the same, it gives you an inner strength to move on. On this path have walked great saints like Shankaracharya, Swami Vivekananda and Swami Ramtirtha. On this path have walked the old and young, and will continue to do so for centuries to come.
There is an air of timelessness about the place. Everything here is so old and so new – the path, the journey, the hills, the glaciers, the cave, and the lingam. This is the place where legends are as old as the hills around you.
Parvati insisted to Lord Shiva to tell her the secret of His immortality. So, Lord Shiva embarked upon finding a place where no living being could reach and that only Parvati hears and stumbled upon a huge cave. In preparation for imparting the secret, He left Nandi, the bull, at Pahalgam and released the Moon from His hair at Chandanwari. At the banks of Lake Sheshnag, He released the snakes and decided to leave His son Ganesh at Mahagunas or Mahaganesh Parvat. Finally, at Panchtarni, Lord Shiva left the five elements. Then He entered Amarnath Cave with Parvati, sat on the deer skin and to ensure that no one was able to come near them, He created Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to spread fire to eliminate all living beings around the cave. Then he narrated the secret of His immortality to Parvati. It so happened that an egg was lying underneath the deer skin. It is said that a pair of pigeons were born from it and became immortal. Pilgrims have reportedly seen the pigeons even today.
Situated at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder River, Pahalgam at 2,130 m was once a humble shepherd’s village with breathtaking views. This is your starting point to Amarnath Cave. It is Kashmir’s premier resort; cool even during the height of summer when the maximum temperature does not exceed 250 C. A number of hotels and lodges cater to all preferences and budgets. The place gets lively during the tourist months of the summer, as well as during the weeks before the Amarnath Yatra, as the base for a big annual pilgrimage.
There is something about the pure and re-vitalizing air of Pahalgam. Perhaps the dense pines and cedar forests make it oxygen rich. Limited accessibility combined with limited telecom connectivity also makes it an ideal getaway from the grind of daily life and professional stress.
The distance from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is 12 kilometres which can take up to five hours. The route can be covered by road transport also. Mini buses are available from Pahalgam. The trail runs along the Lidder River, giving the entire journey a scenic value. Here is the first night halt. The main attraction at Chandanwari is a bridge which is perpetually covered by ice, though the surroundings are free from it.
Next day, you procede from Chandanwari, climbing the hills to reach Pissu Top, on your way to Sheshnag, your second halt. It is said that a great war took place on this spot between Devtas and Rakshas. With the power of Lord Shiva, the Devtas killed the Rakshas in such large numbers that a heap of their dead bodies resulted in this hill called Pissu Top.
The whole area from Chandanwari to Sheshnag is spectacular, primeval countryside. Sheshnag is a mountain which derives its name from its seven peaks, resembling the head of a mythical snake. The journey follows a steep incline on the right bank of a cascading stream and countryside untouched by civilization. The second night’s camp at Sheshnag overlooks the deep blue waters of Sheshnag Lake, and glaciers beyond it. Remember, these places are where legends are made and lived. There are legends of love and revenge associated with Sheshnag, and at the camp these are narrated by campfires. The stillness of a pine scented Himalayan night increases your inner joy.
From Sheshnag you climb the steep height up across Mahagunas Pass at 4276 m for a distance of four and a half kilometers and then descend to the meadow lands of Panchtarni at a height of 3657 m. The last night halt is made here on third day. Here one faces the cold winds which cause the skin to crack. Cold cream or petroleum jelly is very useful. The route to Mahagunas is full of rivulets, water falls and springs. Panchtarni is a very beautiful place in the feet of Bhairav Mount. The five rivers that flow here are said to have originated from Lord Shiva’s Hair (Jataon).
From Panchtarni to Amarnath Cave is a distance of 6 kilometres. An early morning start is recommended to avoid long queues at the entrance of the cave.
As you appear in front of the cave, you are impressed by the gaping hole in the mountain and overwhelmed by its size. The entrance to the cave is 40 yards across, the height 75 feet and it slopes down 80 feet inside the mountain. In the cave is the ice lingam of about 5 feet height, which forms during the summer days. Legend says that a shepherd Buta Malik received a bag full of coals from a saint. When he reached home and opened it, he found that the bag contained pieces of gold. He ran to thank the saint but the saint had gone. Instead, Buta Malik found this cave with the ice lingam in it.
Tradition has it that Rishi Bringesh told his disciples the significance of the cave and instructed them to do the pilgrimage. But his disciples were harassed by the rakshasas. Thereupon the rishi prayed to Lord Shiva and received a scepter that ensured safety. This scepter is now called Chari Mubarak. The traditional yatra arrives at the cave at Raksha Bandhan Poornima. The Chari is carried by the pilgrims to the cave.
For those on a journey of faith, it is a rewarding experience. But with more and more people taking this pilgrimage, the queues are often long and the darshan a hasty affair. But the wait and the darshan are worthwhile as it is the home of the Himalayan mendicant and the greatest of the Hindu deities. A brief reflection that once Lord Shiva sat here in this cave and that you are there is probably very rewarding. No wonder then that Sister Nivedita wrote long ago: “The place was vast and the great ice-Shiva was in a niche of the deepest shadow, sacred.”

There is a wealth of information available on healthy eating habits and their relation to weight management and disease-free lifestyle. The options are far too many when it comes to selecting healthy food. But little do we realize that there is not much choice available (or rather allowed) when it comes to the healthy food that should be eaten.
The first meal of the day, or the breakfast, is the most important meal of the day. A healthy breakfast that consists of milk, fruits and cereal provides the energy required to kick-start the day.
Leading nutritionists and dieticians recommend that breakfast should never be missed, as doing so would adversely impact brain function and overall diet. Children who eat breakfast in the morning have a positive attitude towards school.They perform better in morning classes, tests and miss school less often. They are also shown to have fewer problems of attention deficit disorder. Breakfast makes the difference in the way children look, the way they feel, and the way they grow and learn. There are fewer discipline problems among children who start their day with a good breakfast. It is to be emphasized that children seldom make up at other meals if they miss breakfast. Kids who are regular breakfast eaters are more likely to get the nutrients their bodies need and thus grow up to be healthy individuals.
The logic for highlighting the dangers of avoiding breakfast is pretty simple. Brain needs fuel (glucose) to perform all its activities. If you have had your last meal at 10 pm and you skip your breakfast, you will practically be without food for more than 14 hours. It simply means that you have deprived your brain of its fuel and your body has to work extra hard to break down any stored carbohydrate or turn fat or protein into a usable form for your brain to function. This is not a desirable situation when you need the energy to concentrate, or doing any other work.
Eating breakfast has been proven to improve concentration, problem solving ability, mental performance, memory, and mood. Breakfast skippers usually fail to fit important nutrients into their diet. Many foods eaten at breakfast contain significant amounts of vitamins C and D, calcium, iron, and fiber. Eating something for breakfast is better than eating nothing at all.
Many people believe that breakfast must be eaten only if the activity level is high or you are into sports activities. But the fact is that, regardless of your activity level, breakfast is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and is also important for maintaining energy all day long. Breakfast is a fuel without which your body cannot function to the desired level of efficiency.
The rate at which your body uses calories for energy is known as metabolism. Metabolism is directly related to energy levels, so the higher your metabolism, the more energy you have throughout the day. When you are sleeping, your body naturally decreases its metabolism. When you wake up, there is an increase in metabolism, which is highest by noon.
The amount of energy you have during this time is dependent on how much food calories your body has to use for energy. Breakfast becomes the first refueling point for you brain, before starting your day’s work. So basically, eating breakfast actually helps maintain high energy levels throughout the day. In fact, better the refueling, more efficient will be your metabolism motor.
Some people believe that skipping breakfast may help them lose weight. This is definitely not correct. Skipping meals often leads to overeating later in the day. Those who claim they are cutting calories by skipping breakfast are the very same people who are found snacking later in the day and fighting the low energy battle in the late afternoon and evening. This is very natural as hunger after an unusually long gap between meals (if you skip breakfast) often leads to a lack of control and distorted satiety signals (that means it is difficult to determine when you are full). This can result in taking in more calories than if one had an appropriate breakfast. As a matter of fact it is easier to control one’s weight by eating smaller and more frequent meals.
There is another myth which says that by eating breakfast, hunger pains are felt throughout the day. There is a need for a closer look at a person’s eating habits before coming to any conclusions. Are the types of carbohydrates chosen to start the day simple or complex carbohydrates? Foods high in sugar, even the “natural” fruit sugar will raise blood sugar levels quickly and trigger hunger and sleepiness a few hours later. In fact, your body may still be hungry from not getting enough fuel 24 hours ago and just responding to the feast or famine cycle of the day before.

Focus on a blend of protein and carbohydrates at breakfast. Hearty carbohydrates will give that boost of energy to jumpstart your day. A mix of protein will be the staying power to keep your body going strong over the next three to four hours until lunch.
According to many sports nutritionist, it is advisable to choose wholesome cereals that are iron-enriched, not loaded with sugar, and have high-fiber content. Cereal (whole wheat bread) is not only a traditional way to go at breakfast but also may be one of the quickest and versatile meals for the morning time rush. The best option is to take the milk and cereal route, as this is a perfect way to combine protein and carbohydrates. Now that you know that a good breakfast is the best way to start your day – believe in it!

Serves 4-5

Ingredients

• 2 cups kabuli channa (chick peas)
• 2 moti illaichi (brown cardamoms), 3-4 laung (cloves)
• 1 large onion – finely chopped
• 1 tsp garlic paste, 1 tsp ginger paste,
• 11/2 tsp salt, or to taste
• 3 tsp channa masala,1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala, 4 tsp dhania powder
• 2 tsp bhuna jeera powder (roasted cumin powder)
• 3 tsp imli (tamarind) pulp or squeeze out pulp from 1″ ball of tamarind

GARNISHING

• 1 tomato – cut into 8 pieces
• 1-2 green chillies – cut lengthwise into half
• a few ginger juliennes (match sticks)

Recipe
1. Soak the channas overnight.

2. Next morning drain water. Put in a pressure cooker. Add 4 cups fresh water. Add finely chopped onion, moti illaichi, laung, garlic paste and ginger paste. Pressure cook to give 1 whistle and keep on low flame for 15-20 minutes.

3. After the pressure drops open the cooker. Add salt, dhania powder, channa masala, jeera powder, garam masala, black pepper, red chilli and the tamarind pulp to the cooked channas. Mash the channas a bit.
4. Again pressure cook to give 1 whistle. Remove from fire.
5. Serve hot garnished with ginger match sticks, tomatoes and green chillies.

Tangy Carrot Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 big (250 gms) carrots – peeled and chopped
• 1 potato – peeled and chopped
• 1 onion – chopped, 8-10 peppercorns (saboot kali mirch)
• 1″ piece ginger – chopped, 4 cups vegetable stock or water
• juice of one orange or1/2 cup ready-made orange juice
• 2 tbsp chopped coriander, 3/4 tsp salt or to taste, 1/4 tsp pepper

Recipe

1. Saute onion, peppercorns and ginger in a non stick pan till onions start to change colour.

2. Add carrots and potatoto it. Stir for 2-3 minutes on low flame. Add water. Bring to a boil. Simmer on low flame for 10-15 minutes till the vegetables get cooked. Remove from fire.
3. Cool and grind to a puree in a blender. Strain the vegetable puree.
4. Add orange juice, coriander, salt and pepper. Boil. Serve hot or cold.

Fruity Salad in range Dressing

Serves 3- 4

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cubed cabbage
• 1 carrot – cubed 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 onion – cubed (1/4 cup chopped)
• 1 tomato – cubed
• 1/2 cup halved or chopped grapes or strawberries
• 1/2 cup orange segments (pieces)

ORANGE DRESSING

• 1/4 cup orange juice (fresh or ready made)
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2-3 flakes garlic – crushed, 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt and pepper, or to taste

Recipe

1. Mix all fruits and vegetables in a large bowl. Chill in the fridge till serving time.

2. Mix all ingredients of the orange dressing in a bottle. Close cap and shake well to mix. Keep aside.

3. An hour before serving, pour the dressing over the fruit and vegetable mixture in the bowl.

4. Toss lightly with two forks. Add more salt and pepper if desired.

5. Refrigerate till serving time.

Tikka Subzi

Serves 6-8

Ingredients

• 200 gm broccoli (1 small head)
• 200 gm cauliflower (1 small head) – cut into medium florets
• 5-6 mushrooms, 50 gm babycorns
• 2 round slices of pineapple – cut into 1” triangles
• 1 capsicum green or coloured – cut into fine rings
• 2 onions – cut into fine rings, 1 tomato – deseeded and cut into triangles
• 1/4 tsp ginger paste, few drops lemon juice, 1/4 tsp kala namak, 1/4 tsp salt

1ST MARINADE

• 1 tbsp lemon juice, 3/4 tsp ajwain (carom seeds), 1/2 tsp salt

2ND MARINADE

• 11/2 cups thick curd – hang for 15 minutes or more & squeezed to remove all water
• 1 tbsp cornflour, 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1/4 tsp red chilli powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp tandoori masala

Recipe

1. Boil 6 cups of water in a large pan. Add 1 tsp salt , 1 tsp sugar & 1 tsp lemon juice. Add broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms and babycorns to water. As soon as the boil returns, remove from fire. Drain. Wipe the pieces with a clean kitchen towel or on a paper napkin till well dried.
2. Spread the broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms & babycorns on a tray & sprinkle the ingredients of the 1st marinade. Marinate the vegetables for 15 minutes.
3. Drain the vegetables of any excess juice.
4. Mix all the ingredients of the 2nd marinade in a large pan/bowl. Add the broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms and babycorns to it & mix well.
5. Cover the rack with foil. Place the marinated broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms and babycorns on the foil and bake in preheated oven at 180°C for 15 minutes. Do not over cook as it turns dry. Keep aside
6. Heat a non stick pan. Add chopped pineapple and cook till golden brown. Fry onion and capsicum rings for a few minutes till onions turn transparent.
7. Add _ tsp ginger paste & a few drops of lemon juice. Add kala namak & salt. Add tomatoes.
8. Add grilled broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms and babycorns. Toss for a few minutes. Serve hot.

Stones!

Close your eyes and imagine heated stones being placed strategically all over your back, neck and buttocks while a therapist massages your tired legs with smooth pieces of heated rock. This is stone therapy, a combination of massage, thermotherapy the alternate application of hot and cold temperatures), energy work and healing to soothe your senses.

The use of stones on and around the body as a healing tool has been popular throughout the history of our planet. Stones have been used in ceremonies and treatments by ancient races dating back as far as the Incas in South America, the Egyptians and the Chinese. The Native American Indians honour and respect stones as part of Mother Earth and know that the gift of healing given from these stones is sacred and deserves the highest thanks and integrity when using them. The stones used are millions of years old, which have been, for most of their life, buried deep in the layers of the earth.
An American lady by the name of Mary D. Hannigan in 1993 brought this age-old tradition back into our modern way of working and named it La Stone. Since then, a number of hot stone techniques have been adapted for use by many different body workers. One such therapy is conducted at Ananda in the Himalayas and goes under the name of Lithos.
Stone Therapy traditionally uses a combination of massage, thermotherapy (the alternate application of hot and cold temperatures), energy work and healing. The stones can also be used in other treatments to make these much more effective. They are:

• Aromatherapy Massage.
• Deep-Tissue Work.
• Reflexology.
• Facials and Waxing.
• Manicures and Pedicures.
• Remedial Massage.
• Relaxation Therapy and Meditation.

In fact, one’s imagination is the only limiting factor in the use of the stones.
For instance, if one’s system is sluggish, then this type of treatment will assist in opening and clearing the eliminative pathways to stimulate the system and increase energy levels. If one were stressed, unsettled or cold then the outcome of this treatment would be to feel much more ‘grounded’ and calm, safe and warm. This treatment is balancing not only to the physical body, but settling to the mind, emotions and the spirit.

Types of Stones Used

Stone Therapy uses a combination of heated basalt and chilled marble stones. It is not always necessary to use cold stones. A successful treatment can be used with the heated stones alone.
The reasons for the use of basalt stones are their colour: Grey/black, dark green/black stones. This colour assists them in staying the hottest, the longest. In the age-old healing traditions, the black stones have always been used in healing, probably for this reason. There could also be other possibilities such as the darker the stone, the more grounded it is.
The shape and colour also have a bearing on the use of certain stones. The more round the stone and the lighter the colour, the more Yin or feminine it is in its nature. The longer or more oblong the stone is along with the darker colour offer more Yang or masculine qualities to the body.

Using Hot Stones Short Term over an area
The use of hot stones over an isolated area causes passive dilation of the blood vessels of the related organ. It also pulls blood from the organ to the surrounding tissue resulting in warm, flushed skin.

Hot Stones are used to –

• Expand or dilate blood vessels.
• Increase circulation.
• Increase metabolism.
• Increase cell metabolism.
• Increase Lymph function.
• Increase pulse rate.
• Sedate the muscles & the Nervous System.

Using Cold Stones Short Term – less than 5 minutes
A cold stone is used in an isolated area and causes an immediate numbing effect, followed by dilation of blood vessels in related organs. They are also used to rehabilitate injuries and chronic muscle spasms – speeding up the patient’s recovery. Client’s range of motion increases and the muscles and nervous system are stimulated.

Cold Stones are used for recent injuries, burns and inflammation to –

• Constrict the blood vessels – pushes blood away from an area.
• Stimulate and improve circulation.
• Produce an analgesic effect.
• Limit further damage to injured muscles.
• Reduce inflammation.
• Stimulate the Nervous System.

A natural response to cold stone treatment is that the body will bring itself back to a homeostasis, thus the body heats itself.
This treatment can be done as part of a massage treatment, mainly because if feels fantastic and it is wonderfully relaxing and invigorating, depending on what an individual requires. The body will find its own individual balance.
.
When to use Hot & Cold Stone Treatments
It is great for –

• Sprains, strains, bruise
• Chronic tension, Stress
• Muscular pain
• Menstrual Cramps
• Headache
• Sunburn
• Insomnia
• Constipation

When it is not good to have a stone treatment

• When suffering from Acute asthma.
• Pregnancy.
• Acute infections, fever, flu, colds, cystitis (bladder infection) – massage is definitely contraindicated in this instance, as the body is already busy enough trying to fight infection

• When someone dislikes cold of any kind.

The writer is Colin Gary Hall, the Spa Director of Ananda in the Himalayas, Uttarakhand.

Aromatherapy has a profound effect on the mind and the emotions of an individual. Therefore, it affects our relationships as it is also related to the heart.

The essential oils used in aroma therapy have the ability to store energy and release it when required. They help us feel good by working on our skin or hair, stabilize our emotions, reduce stress, and take away depression.
In olden days, women used aromatherapy extensively, like rose which was used by Cleopatra.
Rose represents the Heart Chakra – an individual’s ability to connect to universal love energy and to feel compassionate. Feeling love in a pure, universal way greatly enhances the ability to connect to the spirit. By feeling love, a person transcends all negativity and becomes one with all things and beings. Love is the energy that makes life worthwhile. Without love, what would life be?

Merge with the ultimate

Some of the essential aroma oils help an individual to look forward to becoming one in body, mind, and spirit. The ultimate goal in relationship is merging the heart energy with the partner’s spirit, and becoming one with God. This helps an individual to have strong desire to help others, and all of humankind, with healthy, unconditional loving energy.

Recipe for Refreshing Bath Oil :

Ingredients
1/4 cup vegetable oil,
1 cup rose, orange blossom or chamomile floral water,
2 tbsp liquid glycerin,
30 -40 drops essential oil of your choice.

Method
Mix all ingredients in a glass bottle or jar and shake well. Add a drop of food coloring, if desired. Shake thoroughly before using, as the ingredients will separate when left standing.
The prepared oil should be sufficient for four baths. Also, 20 minutes soak in a tub with few drops of rose, jasmine or neroli in water is very relaxing.

By Dr. Blossom Kochhar

The main problem during summer is how to look, feel and smell fresh. Here are the cool tips…

We all try to gear our efforts towards staying cool and fragrant in summer. Perspiration is the real menace. It saps our energy, detracts from the cool feeling and worst of all, can lead to body odor.
Actually, perspiration is the body’s natural way of cooling itself. The skin contains sweat glands, which are of two kinds – the appocrine and the eccrine. The eccrine glands are found all over the body, more particularly on the palms and soles of the feet. They excrete mainly water and a little salt. The appocrine glands, found in the underarm and other regions, release sweat, which mixes with surface bacteria and decomposes fast, creating problems of odor and stained clothing. In its effort to regulate body temperature, the skin releases more perspiration as the weather gets warmer. Body odor actually forms about six hours after we sweat. The waste matter that is secreted with sweat has to be removed by washing and bathing, in order to avoid stale odor and feel fresh. The use of deodorants, anti-perspirants, talcum powder and perfumes helps to deal with the problem for a short while.

Refreshing Shower

Bath-time is a real pleasure during summer and most of us take at least two showers daily, just to stay cool. Bathing and scrubbing help to clear away germs, dirt and odor. A bath is soothing and relaxing and it even helps to refresh and revive. All parts of the body must be washed well, especially the neck, armpits and feet. These are the areas where germs accumulate and cause body odor. Adding cologne to the bath water leaves the body fragrant. Colognes also have a cooling effect. Shower gels and body shampoos, containing natural ingredients like sandalwood, rose and khus have a cooling and refreshing effect. They are natural coolants and also protect the body from prickly heat and other related rashes.

Anti-Perspirants & Mild Deodorants

The use of anti-perspirants and deodorants also help to stay cool. A spray, rather than the roll-on deodorants may be more suitable in summer, but this is a matter of personal choice. However, be sure to choose a mild deodorant as strong built-in anti-perspirant can cause skin irritation or sensitive reactions. It is always better to try them out on a small area, like on the inner arm. If the skin tingles or burns for more than a minute, you should not use it. Actually, perspiration is a natural process and should not be blocked with strong anti-perspirants. Some people find the use of talcum powders quite adequate. Although they do not really help hygiene, they do absorb perspiration and maintain freshness for some time.
Staying fresh is the main problem, especially for those who have to go out of the house during the day. If you suffer from body odor, carrying a deodorant with you is the only alternative, when you are out for long hours. Try to avoid the sun during mid-day, when the sun rays are direct. In fact, you should avoid sun-exposure from noon till 3 P.M. when the heat is at its worst. If you have to go out in the sun, remember to use a sunscreen about 20 minutes before exposure. It is also a good idea to carry a few freshening items in your handbag or briefcase. Fragrant wet tissues are a boon during summer.. They can be used to freshen up the face and neck by wiping off perspiration, dust and pollutants. Cleansing pads are also available to freshen up and provide a cool feeling. These help to remove oil and sweat deposits from the face. A small jar of talcum powder and mild cologne would also help.

Fresh Fragrance

Climate also plays a part in choosing the right perfume. In hot and humid conditions, it is better to go for light, lemony and fresh fragrances, rather than heavy ones. The effect of perfumes intensifies in hot and humid weather. A heavy perfume can be quite overpowering. In fact, some perfumes can even trigger off a headache in some individuals. In cold and dry weather, a heavier scent can be used. Lemon, rose, lavender or sandalwood are light and refreshing during hot weather. The time of day also matters. Go for light fragrances in the morning and heavier ones for the night.
Colognes can be used during summer and can be added to bath water. You can be generous with the use of colognes, even splashing them on. Colognes and Eau de Toilette constitute mainly of water, with only 2 to 5 per cent perfume. They are lighter and the fragrance evaporates, leaving a light lingering fragrance. But, when it comes to perfumes, they should be used sparingly.

Cool Cotton Clothing

Wear cottons because cool, porous materials help perspiration to escape and evaporate. Loose, light clothing is much more appropriate and comfortable during summer. Cotton shields can be used under the arms to absorb sweat and protect clothing. Change clothes daily. Choose simple lines and pastel colors. For women, loose, flowing styles look and feel cool. Stick to neutral shades and favor whites. Materials like cotton, organza, chiffon, lace and so on, look summery and feel comfortable. Tight figure hugging clothes should be avoided.

Elegant Pearls

Cut down on jewelry on hot days. Choose one striking accessory. Silver has a cooler look than gold. Pearls also make one look cool and elegant. Avoid tight chokers around the neck. Long, loose dangling chains or beads are best for summer.
Summer Hair Style
Keep your hair simply styled and away from the face. Try to keep the nape of the neck free of hair. It will make you look and feel cool. If you have long hair, put it up with the help of a large hair clip or ribbon.

Replenishing Fluids

Your diet also plays a role in keeping you cool. As much as 70 per cent of the human body is made up of water. The loss of water occurs daily and should be replenished on a daily basis. We do this mainly by drinking water. During the summer months the loss of fluids is greater and that is why we feel thirsty and drink more water and other fluids. In the normal course, we should drink about 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to meet the body’s water requirement and also keep the system flushed of toxins and wastes. Of course, the quantity of water intake increases during summer, to make-up the loss of fluids through perspiration.
Summer is the time for cool drinks, not only to replenish fluids, but also to feel cool. Nimbu Paani (lemon drink) is ideal during the summer. Add one teaspoon honey and a pinch of salt. If you suffer from any specific disease, you should take the advice of your doctor regarding any additives, like salt, sugar or honey, to cold drinks and fruit juices. Avoid aerated drinks and take fresh fruit juices instead. Fruit juices should be taken freshly extracted and diluted with water. Herbal drinks, containing extracts of rose and khus can also be taken during summer, as these are natural coolants. Add a little lemon juice to herbal drinks. Instead of a hot cup of tea, take iced tea (without milk), adding one teaspoon honey, a little lemon juice and ice. Jal jeera, taken with ice, is a suitable summer drink.

Healthy Food

Avoid heavy meals, and fried foods, with excess spices and oil. Vegetables should be lightly cooked. When you eat out, avoid rich gravies. Include clear soups, lassi, yogurt, fresh fruits, salads and sprouts in your daily diet. Fresh fruits and salads also contribute to the body’s requirement of water. In fact, nature provides us with the fruits that are suitable for the season. Melons (kharbuja), Water Melons (tarbooz) and Cucumber contain more water and help to replenish the water which the body loses through sweating. Instead of having rich desserts, take yogurt with honey or fresh fruits. These make delicious desserts too. During summer, you can end your meal with lassi This is not only cooling but helps digestion also.
Taking enough water and fluids will help cleanse the body of toxins and wastes. As far as the appearance is concerned, this is bound to reflect on the skin and body. The skin will look clearer and fresher, while such foods can help to lose excess weight and also maintain a slim figure. Most important of all it will make your feel better

A person is not poor if he has no money, but is certainly so, if he has no dreams. Dreams give you the freedom to envision just about anything you wish for. In dreamland, there are no barriers, no obstacles – your mind and imagination can stretch even to the stars. To have the freedom to dream is an exhilarating feeling that enthuses and encourages. But dreams are simply starting points.
Having discovered your dream, chisel it. Work as a sculptor who has a chunk of marble before him, and in his mind he beholds his finished creation. As you chip away the rough edges of absurdity and impracticality in your dream, you will see the contours of your goal emerging, slowly but surely.
Let the dream illuminate the roadway leading to your goal. Contemplate the path that must be taken. Understand the practical aspects of your journey. Familiarize yourself with the terrain, take time to study and understand the nature of possible impediments along the way. Realize that all impediments are surmountable, every problem comes with a solution – your job is to find that solution. Some problems may seem very daunting and even after a lengthy search, may not yield readily to a solution. But never give up. Do not give ear to people who say it is impossible. Look at every outstanding figure in history, and what do you find? All of them dreamt the seemingly impossible, and with faith, tirelessly worked towards their destiny.
Put everything down on paper. Define it as clearly as you can. Micro-planning involves large-scale and long-term activities like bidding for projects, expanding market share, collaborating with other companies, etc. Micro-planning means strategizing and structuring activities around targets, namely, working out the minute details.
Continuity is the most essential factor. Something that looks difficult now will actually turn out to be very simple later on. Patience and perseverance are inseparable virtues. Keep chipping away, keep trying, and the results are bound to be positive.
Pay utmost importance to reliable team. Putting together a splendid team – one that will work with you towards the destination – is your responsibility. Team building is always an ongoing process and the team needs to be trained, conditioned and inspired to implement the plan. Communicate your vision to your teammates and thereby make your vision theirs. Next, delegate powers to them appropriately in order to enable them implement your plan. This is an art which requires time, patience and understanding.
With power comes the corresponding degree of responsibility. Keep in mind the welfare of not just the business, but also of employees and by extension, their families. Even in trying circumstances, never make your team members feel as if they are part of a losing proposition.
Transparency fosters an atmosphere of trust in an organization. Where there is transparency, team members feel free to come up with good ideas. Good ideas are the mother of revolutions. Transparency also means keeping your goals clear and visible. Transparency eliminates deceit, allowing truth to be seen.
Once the project has left the harbor and is sailing smoothly towards its destination, the captain still needs to supervise. At this stage, other projects can be planned, executed and supervised simultaneously.

/>Everything must be accomplished to perfection in accordance with one’s capabilities and strengths. Sometimes the results may go against the projections because certain external factors are beyond one’s control. Never mind. Your karma is to go on. If you keep doing good, something good will definitely come back to you.
Indian management has grown by leaps and bounds because of the positive effects of globalization. Earlier, there was a nonchalant chalta hai attitude prevailing due to lack of competition. The liberalization and globalization process introduced world-class players whose products could far outweigh local products on the quality scale and who value customer service. Thus, we were forced to introspect and change for the better.
Cherish or change. Parivartan hi sansar ka niyam hai. This has been taught to us for generations. If you look at the history of corporate houses, only those with strong R&D departments have been successful. India is a storehouse of knowledge, but we don’t recognize this till it is acknowledged and praised by the West. There is an urgent need for Indians to reconnect to and research our ancient knowledge.
Today, all possible knowledge is available practically at our fingertips. So, one must keep learning for continuous improvement and to stay ahead. The end of the road for yourself and your business can be in sight – the day you start thinking that you know everything.
The writer is Chairman, Priyadarshni Academy, Mumbai
(Extracted from “Success is Our Birthright” by the author)

True self is without a boundary, all pervasive. In terms of existence, there isn’t any boundary, but on the level of mind, body and speech, we divide the existence into me, you and them.

I have relationship with body, senses, mind, intellect – these are so close but so far from the self. Entwined with one another and yet so very much separate. Can you see the line of demarcation where body ends and mind begins or mind ends and self begins? Mind is a subtle form of matter and body is a gross form of subtle or the mind. Mind and matter are not different from one another. A quantum physicist would say that matter and energy are not two different entities. The source of matter is energy and matter keeps on moving from being matter and energy, now visible and now invisible.
Mind is invisible but the body is very much visible. Hence we perceive ourselves as body alone because our identification and association with the body is deep. The reality is that this self is not just a sum total of body, mind, feelings, thoughts and consciousness. The “I” with whom we are associated is illusionary. The “I” we know has more to do with mind or body and the reality is that our real “I” remains very much obscure. Now, this is funny indeed – if I don’t know who this “I” is, then how can I have a sound relationship with others around this “I”?
Man hides his own emotional needs, desires, and weaknesses from his own self. Only if he could acknowledge his fallacies and begin to work with wisdom, he wouldn’t be throwing dirt on others. When you are angry, then whosoever is in front of you will be in the line of your fire. You’ll shoot him with the bullets of anger, frustrations and hatred. The other person will obviously be baffled. Before we yell in desperation that no one understands you, the question arises: “Do you understand yourself?”

Learn to explore your inner core, your untapped energy source and rejoice in it. Love your self, respect your self and every one will echo same vibes to you. Unbelievable! But this is true.

Man is so blinded that never registers his own emotional baggage which he is always carrying with him.
A tree which is firm in its roots can withstand winds and floods. The tree which is weak in its roots can be easily uprooted even by frail jolt. You can’t be a better husband, mother, friend, wife, brother, business partner to any one if you aren’t rooted in self.

Life gives you situations – not solutions, solutions are always created by your wisdom.

Every relationship is different from the other but most of the time basic problems are the same. I am a pauper – the other is a pauper; but we wish to be rich by joining together. We all wish that the other should fulfill you, but the question is can anyone really do it? Everyone in society is moving around with empty bowls, and everyone wants to be rich.
Know this as the truth: no one can make you rich, no one can fulfill you, and no one can give meaning to your life. The fact remains that no one but YOU can do this for yourself. So stop hankering for appreciation from other.

Learn to explore your inner core, your untapped energy source and rejoice in it. Love yourself, respect yourself and every one will send the same vibes to you. Unbelievable, but true! This is called the Law of Attraction. What you think will begin to happen to you, whatever you ask for is given to you. If you will keep on thinking no one loves you or cares for you, or needs you, it will surely begin to happen. So, even if you don’t have a single person who loves you, don’t worry. Stand in front of the mirror, look at yourself, and see that you have your own divine self. You are divine – touch your face, feel your body – inhale deeply and see the spark in your eyes.
Thank this body, breathe and live. Give thanks for every little joy which life brings to you, and smile. And smile like you have never smiled before and move into deeper recesses of your heart to find yourself. The search for your self will bring you joy and love.
Soak your self in the goodness of this moment and let every day begin with it and end with it. Soon you will love this new way of living and glow. Yes! The glow which will come on your face will make other people wonder what you have found. From where is this joy, this spark coming? You aren’t going to worry about others at all, keep on living in this fashion and life will open up new possibilities for you.
When you are strong, vibrant, energetic, then you will begin to function as a magnet and people will get attracted to you. This is ironic: when you are a beggar, you are shunned but when you are rich with true knowledge, you become the real monarch.

One day, Mullah Nasruddin had invited a visiting scholar to his house for a meal. Upon the self-important visiting scholar’s arrival at Nasruddin’s house, the scholar knocked and knocked. When nobody answered, he looked through the windows and found no one.

The scholar still waited, and as he waited, he became angrier and angrier. “Why, doesn’t he know who I am?” the scholar thundered as he stomped around the front courtyard. Finally, he became so angry he grabbed a pencil and scribbled on his door, IDIOT!

Well, at 2 o’clock, Nasruddin returned home and suddenly remembered! He ran back to the market looking for the scholar and when he spotted him, Nasruddin said, “Oh, I’m so sorry, please forgive me. I remembered our appointment when I saw your name written on my door.”

A scholar meets Nasruddin

Nasruddin,ferrying a pedant across a piece of rough water, said something ungrammatical to the scholar. “Have you never studied grammar?” asked the scholar.

“No.”

“Then half your life is wasted.”

A few minutes later, Nasruddin turned to the passenger.

“Have you ever learned how to swim?”

“No. Why?”

“Then all your life is wasted – we are sinking!”

Be Quiet with Mullah!

A drunkard sat next to old Mullah Nasruddin on a bus. Thinking that Nasruddin was a preacher from his appearance, he started a conversation, “I’m not going to heaven. There is no heaven.”
The Mullah maintained silence.
“I say there is no heaven,” shouted the drunkard. The Mullah still didn’t answer.
“I said I’m not going to heaven,” shouted the drunkard.

Mullah Nasruddin quietly turned to the drunkard and said, “Well, go to hell then, but be quiet about it.”