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The Hindu :

Flush with its good performance in the Sydney World Cup, Indian women’s cricket is gaining an identity of its own

Photo: apgreat show Mithali Raj batted well for the team

With the third-place finish in the World Cup at Sydney, women’s cricket inches closer towards an independent identity. Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, the team’s batting and bowling mainstays respectively, and Rumeli Dhar, led the rest tosignificant wins over Australia to mark a memorable tournament.

Mithali averaged 62 in six innings at Sydney, notching up scores of 59, 75 not out, 44, 21, 34 not out and 15. Captain Jhulan Goswami claimed just four wickets in her seven matches, but managed an economy of 2.53.

Her most crucial effort came in the third-place playoff against Australia, when she managed a brace of wickets with Rumeli Dhar. Most importantly, the 25-year-old Jhulan regained her No. 1 spot in the bowling rankings. Rumeli Dhar picked up 10 wickets in her seven matches, at an economy rate of 3.23.Team effort

Coach Sudha Shah attributed the World Cup performance to a team effort. “Mithali got us runs. Anjum (Chopra) and everyone else chipped in as well. It is a complete team effort. Jhulan bowled well for the side. It all came together for us,” said Shah. The side’s ability to brush off morale-crushing losses, she believed, augured well for future tournaments. “As a side, we peaked at the right time. What was most encouraging was the way we came back from the whitewashes against England and Australia. We took the positives from the win against New Zealand in the practice games. The win was a huge motivation and instilled confidence in the side for the tournament. Ours is a very talented bunch, and the way we bounced back from earlier defeats is a positive sign for upcoming tournaments. We had one bad day, against New Zealand, but despite…More

The Hindu : y>Theatre workshops

WeMove Foundation is presenting “Ranga Prasadana”, a workshop on makeup for theatre including aspects like lighting, production management, stage setting, costume design and make-up by Maltesh Badigar at Sadashivnagar Club, on April 18 and 19, 10 a.m. onwards. Call 9449382732. ***Aadyanatha is conducting a free 10-day theatre workshop from April 18 in the evening at Daffodils English School, Sanjaynagar. Call 9880355935. ***Orange Sky Productions is conducting a two-month workshop in acting from April 26 on Sunday, 3 to 8 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9.30 p.m. at Pitter Patter Nursery School, 3rd Block, Koramangala, facilitated by Kanak Narayan Sen. Call 9241211959

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The Hindu :

The sport is looking upbeat with a visit by NBA legend A.C. Green to coach the young ones

Photo: k. GopinathanGIVE ME A HIGH FIVE A.C. Green adds punch to the game

State basketball is much better off these days. The two-day interaction that the National Basketball Association (NBA) legend A.C. Green had with 45 girls at Mary Immaculate School (Wilson Garden) and then the three-hour-long coaches’ clinic atSree Kanteerava Stadium could be the tonic that basketball officialdom in Bangalore could do well with.

While many might argue of the benefit of a two-hour session, the students at Mary Immaculate were happy.

“These skill-drills that we learnt today have not been taught before, at least not the same way. It can only add to our repertoire,” said S.U. Vindya, the school basketball team captain.

“We (the school team) have been doing exceedingly well over the years, but these drills are specific and canhelp us improve. There is no harm in utilising them for better results,” said the 10th standard girl.

A.C. Green, a member of the NBA champion side for three years, who holds a unique record of having played 1,192 games consecutively at the NBA and ABA championships was in the city to promote basketball amongst the youth as part of NBA Cares and “social responsibility” programmes.

“This is my first visit to India but believe me I’m enthralled by this country of so many people. The enthusiasm and intelligence of these young basketballers is so good that I am thrilled. There is so much of talent, both in Mumbai and here, that with proper guidance and fitness training, these players can be groomed into a major force in the game,” felt Green.Different strokes

To play at the highest level like in the NBA, a lot is required of a player. Muscle-mass, hand-eye coordination, dietary habits, sleeping patterns are all of high importance when one decides…More

The Hindu :

Abraham and Thakore’s Spring Summer collection is a symphony to the colour blue

Dress rehearsal Play of shades of azure

It was a sea of blue at the launch of Abraham and Thakore’s Spring-Summer collection at their Bangalore store. “We have played around with every shade of blue from pale, sky and indigo to the darkest possible hue,” says designer Davin Abraham of their collection aptly called India Blue.

Elaborates David, “The story of India has a strong association with the colour blue. From the painted homes below a fortress in Jodhpur, to the colour of Krishna, a dusty mosaic, a summer afternoon and the monsoon sky, blue was a good palette.”

The duo worked on a series of fabric designs for this collection. “Khadi with vegetable dyes, cotton, silk, voil, linen and hand-woven silk are some of the fabrics we have used.” David says that the collection has done well abroad, especially in Japan.

The collection is definitely cool and comfortable with loose, flowing fabrics sporting minimal designs and patterns. Collared shirts, knee-length dresses, jackets, pegged trousers and skirts come in simple designs. There is the reverse tie and dye patterns, two-layered shirts slashed along the seams to give emphasis, plain and coloured sequins, pleats, appliqué, embroidery and jagged thread work.

The saris are underplayed as well in peach silk tissue and blue and silver with gold combinations. Accessories are scarves and mojaris. The colours extend to off white, black and beige. The new collection is available at Abraham and Thakore, Embassy Classic, Vittal Mallya Road.

AYESHA MATTHAN

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The Hindu :

Rakhi Sawant is using television to find her mate

Colour me red Rakhi Sawant

I am the creation of the media. I am the only person equally popular on both news and entertainment channels.” One can call her crass, but nobody can charge Rakhi Sawant with duplicity.

She is brazen but knows how to tame the monstrous electronic media. In fact, she draws her sustenance from the medium. Her latest is a televised reality show “Rakhi Ka Swyamvar” where she will apparently get married. “As I am the daughter of television, I want my fans to be part of the biggest decision of my life.”

Is she trying to be India’s Jade Goody? “No, I am trying to follow Sita’s path. When my mother said, it’s time to get married, I decided to go for a swayamvar. I took the idea to several production houses and channels. NDTV Imagine agreed to help.” Reality shows thrive on drama. Rakhi promises plenty. “It will be full of emotions. The channel will shortlist 15 prospective grooms from across the country through an audition. I will test the candidates through a series of tasks, which will reveal their personality, character, physical fitness, talent and, above all, their compatibility with me. I will also visit their homes to know their families.”

Rakhi has some conditions — the guy must respect women, should have knowledge of cricket, should be punctual and, most importantly, should not be a hypocrite. She is not keen on testing their cooking skills. “That, I can do very well!”

It’s election time and Rakhi stays clear of Bollywood hunks, picking Rahul Gandhi as the most desirable bachelor. “He is an exciting combination of cuteness and strength. He is also very down to earth. This does not mean I am supporting a political party.” Rakhi’s wish is that her husband allow her to work after marriage. “He should not…More

The Hindu : y>Young working moms have guilt, fear and anxiety following them around, and a sense of self worth, individuality and independence propelling them forward, writes BINDU TOBBY

Photo: H. SatishTug-of-war At the heart of this frenzied push and pull is your little one’s sparkling eyes, crinkled nose and toothless grin

Act 1. Scene 1: 7 a.m. Panic station. Sleeves up, you dash for the war zone — some jugglery between stove, sink and refrigerator later – there is milk boiling over, chapati burning and spilt coffee. You yell (involuntarily swallowing sometoothpaste) to the better-half (now, who coined that word?) and your two-year old to wake up…

Scene 2: 7.30 a.m. You are trying to find the elusive salwar to match the ironed kameez you luckily found, while calmly coaxing your toddler to eat.

Scene 3: 8:15 a.m. Lots of screams later, balancing the laptop, handbag, presentation papers and baby, you dash down the stairs.

Not unfamiliar scenes if you are a young career mom. And whether it is by choice or chance and whether you leave your child with a nanny, grandparents or a day care, or juggle it altogether with a work-from-home model, oftentimes there is guilt, fear and anxiety following you around, while a sense of self worth, individuality and independence propelling you forward. Not surprisingly, lodged at the heart of this frenzied push and pull is your little one’s sparkling eyes, crinkled nose and toothless grin…

Says Reena Mathias, “Of course it hurts to see my boy cry when I drop him off at his day care on most days. I think of him throughout my work day, how he would be doing, what he has eaten, and the new things he has learnt!”

She says she tries to maintain discipline at work and make sure she comes and leaves on time from work, adding, “The worst days are when he is unwell and I still…More

The Hindu : y>

SUMMER CARE Products to beat the heat

Kaya Skin Clinic has launched a series of specialised services and products designed to help combat the effects on skin during summer. With summer right around the corner, these services focus on evening out skin tone, reducing pigmentation caused bytanning, controlling acne caused by excessive oil build up, and skin brightening.

You can also avail of Kaya’s Skin Care Essentials, a range of face care products scientifically proven to remove impurities and offer skin optimum benefits. Products are available for normal, oily and dull skin, and include soothing cleansers, moisturizing sunscreens, revitalising toners and enriching night creams.

The products are hairfree permanent hair reduction which gets rid of unwanted hair, anti-tanning solutions which reduces pigmentation, acne solutions which unblocks oil glands and reduces excess oiliness through salicylic peels; deep cleansing ensures effective reduction of acne and summer glow which enhances and maintains the skin through scientific massage therapy, gentle peels, and rehydration.

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The Hindu : y>

Zee Studio presents a free screening of the “The Motorcycle Diaries”, which captures a memorable motorcycle journey through South America that changed the life of Che Guevara, the leader of the Cuban Revolution. The venue is the Oxford Bookstore, Leela Galleria, Leela Palace, 5 p.m. on April 17. Viewers attending the film screening can avail a 10 per cent discount on Che Guevara’s classic book “Motorcycle Diaries”.

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The Hindu :

Meet Albina du Boisrouvray, who started World AIDS Orphans Day

Photo: T. SingaravelouThe benefactor Albina du Boisrouvray

Flaunting a blood red salwar-kameez, Countess Albina du Boisrouvray, can pass off for an eager foreign tourist satisfying her impulse to wear something Indian.

But first impressions can be deceptive. Albina discovered India many moons ago. In fact, she has travelled to almost all corners of India, on work of course.In memory of the son

She works with HIV/AIDS orphans worldwide. Albina, who started World AIDS Orphans Day on May 7 to attract world attention towards the over 15 million children orphaned by AIDS, named FXB, her NGO, after her son Francois-Xavier Bagnoud,a pilot who died at 24 during a helicopter-borne rescue mission in West Africa.

“I formed FXB to carry on what he would have loved to do if he had been alive,” she says. Since 1989, FXB has gone to 35 countries. It came to India in 1991, though it registered itself as an NGO in 2007 with the suffix Suraksha.

“Today, FXB Suraksha is working in all the Indian States,” shesays.“Every minute, four children are orphaned by AIDS worldwide.” Her target base is those with HIV/AIDS, andtoo poor to tend to their health needs and support their families. FXB Suraksha works directly with the families to better their income. It places the orphans in a stable home ensuring access to healthcare and education. This, it achieves through its FXB villages.

“What we do at FXB villages has now been validated by experts from UNICEF and UNAIDS. Each village provides 80 to 100 families with a basic package of health, education, psychosocial support and opportunities to earn.” The villages are in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Aizawl (Mizoram), Imphal (Manipur) and Dhapa-Tangra and Medinapur (West Bengal). FXB supports these families for three years during which it encourages the community’s participation for their own welfare.

“In India, people wait for the…More

The Hindu :

Pamper your drying and distraught hands and feet at a nail spa

PHOTOS: SAMPATH KUMAR G.P.DOLLED UP Nails get a funky makeover at the NailSpa

What you once did to pamper you face, you now do to your hands and feet. Or so it seems when you look up the menu at the NailSpa (yes yes, just spas are too broad-spectrum and passé now) at Salon Nayana. I mean, one would have thought that mangoes, papaya, milk, and honey would be wasted on your appendages.

But Nilanthi De Livera, director of the nail spa, firmly believes that one uses their hands and feet so much that they too need much looking after. Nails apparently need pampering — sculpting, extensions, enhancements, glitter and accessories — not just a plain manicure or pedicure.

Nilanthi

So at the NailSpa you can go in for a Mango Hand Peel that literally gives you a “handlift”. After a massage with the processed mango peel, get slathered in a papaya lotion before being ensconced in heated mittens. For dry dehydrated skin, there’s paraffin treatments and hot oil treatments. Then there’s the Kava pedicure (using the Kava root extract) to remove calluses and treat cracked feet. Or try the milk and honey exfoliating pedicure for a silky finish.

Getting down to brass-tacks, get those nails fixed first, if you are the nail-biter. “Most people are conscious about that. So we offer nail enhancements — acrylic nail extensions that are strong, and cannot be bitten.” Or you can go for the gel extensions on your natural nail that will protect it from chipping and breaking. And if you are in a festive or party mood, get those nails fabric painted to match your evening wear, then get it spangled with golden butterflies. Or if you’re going off for a vacation, get the beach painted on your nail. No, I’m serious. Their nail artist…More