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Ryan International School, Yelahanka organised a dental camp recently. Dentists Smitha. B. Kulkarni and Krishnendu spoke to the students on dental care.

Dr. Smitha explained that too much junk food like burgers, pizzas and chocolates causes tooth decay. She told them to eat calcium-rich food like fruits and vegetables and also to drink milk.

She advised them to brush their teeth twice a day to prevent tooth decay. During an interactive session, she also clarified the doubts of students.

(Input by Sudhindr.A.B)

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The Hindu : SUDHIDR.A.B.

It was a rich learning experience for the visitors from Germany and the hosts.

Bonding through Culture: At the Delhi Public School.

Two groups of German students and teachers are learning “ namma” culture under the Indo-German Youth Exchange Programme in which the east truly meets the west. Delhi Public School (Bangalore North) is hosting a group of students from Nikolaus Kopernikus Gymnasium, Weissenhorn, Germany for 20 days. Another group of 15 students and two teachers from Andreas-Schneider Schule, Heilbronn, enjoyed Indian hospitality at the National Public School (NPS), Koramangala, for two weeks.

Highlights

As part of the programme, the NPS students took the students around the city and visited some heritage sites. The German students also enjoyed a four-day outstation trip.

The highlight of the programme was the home-stay arrangement. The visitors were welcomed with open arms into the homes of staff and students of NPS. The various events arranged for the students included demonstration of the various dance forms of Karnataka, experiencing the classes, some sports and an art workshop.

The two-week programme concluded with high tea on the penultimate day attended by all the home-stay hosts, their German guests and the school buddies. This was followed by a joint community service programme on the last day organised by the Rotary Club.

It was with genuine interest, that the German guests reacted to the different sights and sounds and,the tastes and flavours of India.

At DPS too, during their stay, the German students are attending regular classes on weekdays and their weekends are packed with trips that will enable them to experience the vibrant city life. The programme will give optimal opportunity to the young students to work on intercultural learning through photo-stories, which revolve around family, friends, and school.

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The Hindu : y>

Family business The inside story of the Walkers

Watch the family drama “Brothers & Sisters” Season 3 on Zee Café. The series will be telecast from November 17 every Tuesday at 9 p.m. The story is about the “perfect” Walker family in Los Angeles. Scratch just a little beneath the surface and all is not as it seems with the Walkers.

It is for the matriarch Nora Walker to hold everyone together as they cross paths with divorce, infidelity, addiction, politics, prejudice and death. Playing Nora Walker is the multiple-Academy award-winning actress Sally Field. The show fetched her the 2007 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a drama series.

With an ensemble cast that also includes prominent names such as Calista Flockhart and Rachel Griffiths, the series has been a rage in the United States ever since its first season, which went on air in 2006.

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The Hindu : y>Beat the winter blues by indulging in Wendell Rodricks’ latest beach wear, writesNEETI SARKAR

Sensuous In anticipation of a sweltering summer

Being the environmentally conscious citizen that he is, ace designer Wendell Rodricks advocates: “It is as important to be responsible as it is to be fashionable.”

This mantra drives his work and inspires the likes of his Eco Goa collection. In the city to launch his shop-in-shop at Collage, Wendell is ecstatic about bringing to Bangalore the best of his creations.

Collage now houses his famed line of pristine whites, his environmentally conscious Eco Goa collection and an assortment of styles from the latest Bossa Nova collection showcased at the Lakme Fashion Week.

“We look forward to a truly festive season at Collage and are delighted with this large shop in shop space, which we hope Bangaloreans will make a special place for in their fashionable lives too,” he says.Looking forward

“The idea behind this initiative is to provide my clientele a complete shopping experience. We have clothes that cater to the different needs of women. The resort wear is ever popular. For the eco-sensitive, we have anti bacterial, UV protective clothing. There are even the cocktail dresses and red carpet numbers one could pick from the collection here.”

Wendell’s Spring/Summer 2010 designs from his Bossa Nova line are quite the hit at Collage after setting the ramp on fire at the fashion week. The designer has gone the Brazilian way this time around. His creation includes ultra-comfy and sensual beach resort wear in anticipation of the sweltering summer ahead. Again there is a wide variety of styles and fabrics to choose from such as wrap skirts, net, georgette and silk dresses, raw cotton shifts and exquisite jerseys.

“The idea of Brazilian lounge music, the beach and the image of a picturesque sunset is where I drew my inspiration from for the Bossa Nova collection,” says…More

The Hindu :

The perfectionist that he is, Aamir Khan practised hard to be a ventriloquist in a TV ad

LIVING UP A FANTASY Aamir Khan with the puppet Active

If you are still marvelling at how Aamir Khan looks half his age in his forthcoming film “3 Idiots”, check him out as a Seventies hero in the Tata Sky+ Active ads on television. He plays a ventriloquist with a puppet called Active.

Styled by Arjun Bhasin, Aamir sports a 1970s look — long sideburns, floppy long hair, bow tie and chequered suit. The new series of ads is inspired by India’s finest ventriloquist Ramdas Padhye.

For Aamir, bringing to life a puppet has been a dream come true. “I was always intrigued by ventriloquists. So when the Tata Sky team came to me with this concept, I thought it was unique and was excited to live up this fantasy,” says the actor.

Tata Sky+ Active is about interactive television and the concept of the ad is that since the advent of television the viewer has been a puppet in its hands but now with the new services it will be the other way round. The actor, who looks for perfection in everything, spent a lot of timewith Ramdas for expert tips and also rehearsed with his puppet.Complex art

“I was fortunate to work with Ramdas. Ventriloquism is a complex art, which takes years to master. Also, I do believe practice makes a man perfect, hence I’ve been talking to my buddy Active!” he laughs.

And just as most puppets are alter-egos of ventriloquists, does he share a special bond with Active?“Having lived the life of a ventriloquist during the preparation for the Tata Sky ad, I must say unlike a film role,where an actor tends to disconnect with the character as soon as the movie is completed, for a ventriloquist the relationship extends beyond professional liaison,” he says.

Aamir…More

The Hindu : y>

Training shouldn’t be torture

Animal welfare groups often receive complaints from concerned citizens who say their neighbours’ dogs are being beaten or kicked repeatedly in the name of training. Some trainers have blinded puppies by choking them and others have been known to swing the animal using the leash causing excruciating pain and serious injury.

Trainers are often hired through an agency and claim that abuse is the only way to discipline a companion animal. On the contrary, training must always be carried out by the family of the dog in order to build a relationship of trust and understanding. Nirupa Rao, Blue Cross volunteer and animal behaviour consultant says- “This is known as training using positive methods. Reward-based training shows dogs what we want them to do which is more effective than punishing a dog for what we don’t want him to do. Punishment leaves a dog confused and anxious, not knowing what exactly is expected of him. It thus creates mistrust of his owner. Train without pain and you will have a well-adjusted companion animal that looks forward to being with you”.

Points to remember:

Never hire a third person to do the job. Even if they promise to use reward-based methods, don’t let them take your pet out of sight – they might subject him to cruelty and your pet will not be able to complain to you!

If you see a dog being tortured, report this to the owners. If they are not responsive, report the matter to the SPCA (2561 1628 orcontactus@madrasspca.org).

Let the trainer/owners know that animal cruelty is punishable by law. Quote the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. Google the Act to get the pdf version and keep the document handy.

For resources on reward-based training, visitwww.dogstardaily.com (click on training textbook) orwww.aspcabehavior.org.hero of the week

Gopi Shankar nominates software engineer Rohit Pant as the hero of the week. Rohit…More

The Hindu :

Orpheo, the renowned brass quintet from France, presented an aural treat

Music lovers were in for a breath-taking experience as Orpheo, one of the world’s finest brass ensembles, rendered an ethereal performance at a concert recently. Entering from different parts of the auditorium while flawlessly playing German composer Johann Pachelbel’s famous Canon in D major, the quintet left the audience in awe.

Organised by the Bangalore School of Music, the brass quintet from France presented some classics at The Alliance Française de Bangalore. On the last leg of their nationwide tour, the artistes claimed this to be the tour of their life.

With Adrien Ranon and Nicolas Baronnier on the trumpets, Eric Varion blowing the tuba, Hanid Nedjebeur handling the trombone and Nicolas Casanova playing the French horn, the group have masterfully executed a fine assortment of diverse music over 30 years.

The musicians played Flemish Renaissance composer Tielman Susato’s Resonance Dances. The ruggedly-attractive music written in dance rhythm pulsated with expressive melody and strong cadenced movements recreating the vibrant music of Belgium’s streets. The four pieces differing in intensity and tone were played with flamboyant style and flair bringing the dance rhythm alive among the captivated audience.

The first half was predominantly Renaissance and Baroque music with pieces from English Baroque composer Henry Purcell and others. Originally composed for chamber orchestra and operas, most of the compositions were rearranged for the brass ensemble.

Tunes from Georges Bizet’s famous French opéra comique, Carmen followed. Adding their own comic touch to the masterpieces, Orpheo presented an effervescent and dramatic assortment of chromatic orchestration leaving the audience in mirthful bliss.

Later, Casanova brought onstage a unique instrument – the Alpine longhorn. Originally used by mountain dwellers in Switzerland to communicate with one another between mountains, the elaborate labrophone is a popular musical instrument now. The ensemble presented three fantabulous Swiss ayres accompanied by the horn, transporting the listeners into another…More

The Hindu : y>SOUND OFF! Savithri Krishnan isappalled by how little we think when we waste resources

The waste of plenty is the resource of scarcity”, “Waste not want not”… there is no dearth for adages stressing the disastrous consequences of wastage. It’s indeed appalling to see resources being recklessly wasted in almost every sphere of life.However, the most common is food wastage. It is saddening to see people waste food. It is more deplorable though, when one deliberately leaves some food on the plate as it is considered indecorous to eat fully and leave the plate clean! I’ve personally come across people cribbing about their children not emptying their lunch boxes while they themselves squander food.

Westerners have this laudable practise of getting leftovers packed in doggy bags at restaurants. Not many are aware of the commendable job some NGOs do — they collect leftover food from parties, weddings, and distribute it to the needy within a few hours, before the food gets spoilt.

Paper wastage reminds me of one of my ex-managers who rightly imposed a “paperless day” once a week, to make people realise its importance, after repeatedly finding piles of printed papers left uncollected. Great thinkers like the Buddha practically demonstrated what they preached. He once questioned his disciple’s demand to replace worn out robes, asking him what he did with the earlier one. His reply — it was now used as his bedspread. The old bedspread was now a window curtain, the old curtain had retired to being the mop, and the old mop used as a lamp-wick which was currently illuminating Buddha’s room. The fully convinced Buddha then smilingly acceded his request.

If not to this extent, let’s at least attempt to minimise waste to the best of our abilities. It’s anybody’s guess as to how one would frantically look even for a single gram of gold misplaced. Only if one were…More

The Hindu :

If your vision is deteriorating, consult your doctor

Photo: Bhagya Prakash k.WATCH OUT Glasses are not always the solution for blurred vision or failing sight

Do you rub your eyes often? Have you been changing your glasses frequently?

And is the astigmatic or cylindrical component of the change quite large?

Then, take care, it may not just be a refractive error; it might be keratoconus, a progressive eye disease.

“Often we find people with keratoconus seeking a solution through LASIK (laser treatment) for their rapidly progressing myopia,” says Dr. Anand Parthasarathy, senior eye surgeon. Rapidly developing myopia, with a large component of astigmatism could be a sign of keratoconus. Consider the case of Ganesh, a 23-year-old BPO executive, who noticed his vision was getting blurred.

He went to a nearby optician who prescribed a pair of spectacles; but even with the glasses, his vision was not clear.

When he finally consulted an eye doctor, he was told that he had keratoconus.About the problem

The cornea, the clear transparent layer in front of the eye, is normally spherical. But, sometimes, the cornea becomes conical.

This is keratoconus, and this reduces the quality of vision.

Apparently, keratoconus or conical cornea, a disabling eye disease affects as many as 1 in 1,000 persons. Keratoconus generally strikes teenagers and young adults more than older patients.

As keratoconus progresses, the quality of vision deteriorates, and even contact lenses or glasses may not provide a satisfactory solution. Untreated keratoconus can damage vision.

“The youngest patient (with keratoconus) that I have is a 12-year-old”, informs Dr. Anand Parthasarathy.

Keratoconus could be triggered by constant rubbing of the eyes, especially if the cornea is weak; or it could be a genetic predisposition. People with keratoconus often tend to have systemic allergies such as asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, skin allergies, and an urge to rub their eyes.

However, keratoconus can be successfully managed with new clinical and surgical techniques. “Collagen cross-linking (to…More

The Hindu :

P. V. Jois espouses the cause of global unity in his new book

His eyes and stance are earnest, as he talks about his noble concept of Global oneness which he has expounded upon in his latest book – “Global Oneness – a matter of understanding”. In today’s fractured and divided world, it is a concept worth taking note of, worth trying to emulate and worth making an effort to understand. Having researched the book for five years, Jois is clear that, “Global oneness will ultimately lead the human race to global governance.”

Jois has written ten books and held many top positions as an administrative lawyer. Today in his 70’s, he has one mission left in his distinguished and colourful life. A mission to give back to society what he believes he took from it and his fond desire is to spread the idea that the globe can exist as one. “Global oneness will bring about a global neighbourhood and the world will become borderless,” he opines. “Anne Frank despite all the hardships she endured said the world was full of good people. It does not take too much effort for one person to rekindle that goodness. Society needs to understand the simple logic underlying the proverb, united we stand, divided we fall.”

In his book Jois takes a holistic view of the world and suggests that if humankind cannot come together to bring about a new neighbourhood, they should make a concerted effort at least in their own self interest of self preservation.

Further in his book, Jois writes, fear is what brings nations together. When faced with a crisis like the world is faced with the present climate change scenario, nations should band together as a team to fight the common enemy. “Climate Change is a serious risk to poverty reduction and threatens to undo decades of development efforts….More