Amritsar:emergency contraceptive pills?..think again

For Headlines Today Gynecologists sound caution to women resorting to "emergency contraceptive pills" to prevent unwanted pregnancy By Rashmi Talwar Amritsar April 7, 2008 ---------------- Men and women who practice unsafe sex and then resort to the "emergency contraceptive pills" to prevent unwanted pregnancies need to be aware of certain counter effects of using the "pill' . Vigorously marketed by some pharmaceutical companies that claim its cent percent success, the "pill" is far from safe as noted by some gynecologists in Amritsar. Several cases have been reported in the city where woman were found to have developed "Ectopic" pregnancy post usage of these pills . The 'Ectopic' pregnancy is when the pregnancy takes place other than the uterus. Most commonly these pregnancies can take place in the fallopian tubes besides other areas could be ovaries, cervix or even abdomen and can be fatal for mother. A gynecologist of the city requesting anonymity revealed that at least three patients had come to her for treatment in the past 3-4 months with severe abdominal pain. When tested it was found that they had 'Ectopic' pregnancies and surprisingly all three had been consuming the 'emergency contraceptive pill'. "Their pregnancy occurred in the fallopian tube and caused severe pain in the abdomen with bleeding . The condition is life threatening as contrary to pregnancy in uterus as the most natural environment for the foetus, the egg fertilizes and is implanted in the fallopian tube of the patient", the gynecologist added Another gynecologist explained that as per medical reports the movement of the ovum or the egg is controlled by natural hormones. The pill is targeted to change the natural balance and course of hormones that serves to control the 'unwanted' pregnancy. However the pill is also known to be causing imbalance in hormones leading to unnatural changes that have resulted in 'Ectopic' pregnancies. Undetected or ignored cases of Ectopic pregnancies may lead to rupture of the tube internally causing death, the doctor contended. The gynecologist who dealt with three such cases in a private hospital of the city said "when some patients came to me with severe abdominal pain their ultrasound proved the presence of the foetus in the fallopian tube. Subsequently a number of such cases have been recorded in the city wherein patient had felt safe in the knowledge of having taken the emergency contraceptive pill to prevent pregnancy but have landed in a serious situation". She advised that companies advertising such pills should be asked to fully inform the patient about the effects of the pill and possible outcomes through wrapper information or in the advertisements to help them make a sound decision on its usage. "But vested interests play a pivotal role in keeping this information under wraps thereby putting under threat the lives of women users " she added . Amongst the most common symptoms recorded by some doctors for the presence of Ectopic pregnancies could be a missed period, symptoms during actual pregnancy , abnormal bleeding, pain in the lower abdomen or the pelvis. …………..eom

Official Google Enterprise Blog: Google App Engine for Google Apps

Official Google Enterprise Blog: Google App Engine for Google Apps

Indian "Reshma'' found in Jadev Kalan border village

Melody reigns supreme at Jagdev Kalan village
Rashmi Talwar
On the wings of soft wind, rustling through an ancient banyan tree, a clear melodious song wafts through. It breaks through the shouts of "Reshma, Reshma". Sarabjit — a shy, kohl-eyed eighteen-year-old girl emerges nervously, wiping her face with a handkerchief. She is Reshma for her classmates. "Our friend is no less talented than the noted Pakistani singer Reshma," says one of Sarabjit's classmates at Senior Secondary School at Jagdev Kalan village, the birthplace of renowned Muslim poet Hasham Shah. Interestingly, the marble plaque at the school informs — "From this village, 105 men went to the Great War of 1914-1919 (World War-I). Of these, three gave up their lives." Sufiana kalam, Heer, Shah Hussian, Waris Shah , Bulleh Shah, Shreen-Farad -Sarabjit renders all effortlessly and with élan. The afternoon slides into evening that is filled with the melody of Punjabi folk songs, bolis and qawwalis. Sarabjit's brother Kuldeep (12) and many of her classmates and junior students, too, are singers and performers. The best comes in when the brother-sister duo sings Sassi Punnu, Nazuk pyer maluk sassi de, mehendi nal savarey — the creation of poet Hasham Shah. Sarabjit and Kuldeep's parents, Dharm Singh and Balwinder Kaur, both are singers. Guru Nanak Dev University recently recorded a CD of Sarabjit's songs. She was also invited to radio station two years back after an audition survey, and instead of the "Bal Vani" programme for children, she was chosen for "Yuva Vani" in which young adult singers participate. Interestingly, the village boasts of many singers and performers. One Manjit Singh anchors programmes, mimics, sings and plays harmonium and dhol. Sardool Sikander is another upcoming singer. The singers from this village like to call themselves descendants of Bhai Mardana — a Muslim who accompanied Guru Nanak Dev throughout his journeys. But this may be far from the truth.

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AMRITSAR:NO FADE OUT YET FOR JHATT-PHATT PHOTOS,LAL TOPIWALAS

AMRITSAR:NO FADE OUT YET FOR JHATT-PHATT PHOTOS,LAL TOPIWALAS



This “dentist” in Amritsar confesses earnings up to Rs 4000 per month A man sits almost motionlessly. He removes a cover from a black case mounted on a makeshift tripod made of old crutches. Within five minutes his black and white (B&W) picture is ready — all with the help of a century-old “jhat patt” (immediate) camera.
BY RASHMI TALWAR
AMRITSAR : While early pin-hole and daguerreotype cameras may have found proud berths in museums in France or other developed countries, the improvised “desi” versions of these cameras are still a source of income in the city, despite the hi-tech innovations in the field of photography.
The indigenously-made “desi” camera called “mint” camera has many takers. It can churn out a good number of photos, and at Rs 25 for two pairs of passport-size photos, there are many who prefer to have their pictures clicked with these cameras to save a few bucks. Photographs for admission, pension and other official purposes are often clicked with such cameras.
Says Mr Kulwant Singh, owner of Bedi Studios, “My ‘ancient’ camera comes alive several times in a day.” Clearly his century-old apparatus competes with the camera of his next-door neighbour who has set up a newly-innovated computer operation studio using the back portion of an auto-rickshaw that has been turned into a colour-lab run by a genset that even has a fan to keep the machinery cool!
Interestingly, many foreigners flock to these “jhatt-patt” cameras to get themselves clicked and carry back memories of the city. Mr Kulwant Singh still earns up to Rs 200 per day from his “jhat patt” camera. He reveals that about seven such “desi” studios continue to line up near the base of the Bhandari Bridge on the way to the railway station.
The city, in fact, is unique in many ways. Here, century-old delights continue to co-exist with the latest technological advances. Next to the photo stall, a “quack” dentist displays various dentures and tooth moulds and his banner reads — “Full denture and artificial teeth”. This “dentist” confesses earnings up to Rs 4000 per month. The profession is more than century-old, he says, as his forefathers had passed it on to him. Dr Navneet Grewal, Assistant Professor and Head, Government Dental College, says that these “quacks” often are not equipped to treat patients. “We get ‘spoilt’ cases of infections, especially from the lower socio-economic strata of society to which these quacks cater.”
Near Jhajgarh and Shani Mata Mandir, Hall Gate, a troop of “ear-cleaners” or “Lal Topiwalas”, as they are popularly referred to, descends in mornings. Many a customer is seen enjoying the strange luxury of someone cleaning his ears. But it is a fact that more than cleaning, these so-called ear-cleaners induce infections. Dr Vivek Khanna, an ENT specialist, admits that amateur cleaning could lead to “iatrogenic infection” (induced) that is caused by unhygienic conditions.
Also “medical messiahs” who claim to be “Khandani Hakims” (ancestral hakims) exploit ignorant people who hesitate to approach qualified doctors due to “social stigma” attached to sexual problems. Clinics run by chemists or grocery shop owners are seen openly selling ‘wonder drugs’ with tall promises of aphrodisiac power. The trump card of most of these unscrupulous persons is a catchy line like “fresh herbs from high altitudes” and big hoardings such as “action”, “energy creator”, “safe harmless herbal capsules”, “a triple energiser for all types of weaknesses”. Such tactics are enough to fleece the gullible customers. “Quackery is the legitimate offspring of ignorance,” says Dr Suresh Chauhan, a qualified Ayurvedic doctor.
The city offers yet more interesting age-old customer-care contraptions. “Kacha-koyla hot presses” operating on pushcarts can give a corporate look to any shirt in the city at just 80 paisa for one shirt! While models of such irons find place as mementos in houses of NRIs abroad, in the city they are very much a part of the daily life.
There’s still more. The dhobi ghats of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s time continue to make bhatti (furnace). Manual washing on these ghats is carried out in the city despite the use of hydro machines. Similarly, vendors selling “kikar ki datan” (indigenous toothbrush) are still popular with old-timers, though some use datans of neem, shahtoot for medical reasons.
“Budhi mai da jhatta” candy-man often rings a familiar bell in the city and jaggery-man “gatta wala” blows the whistle ever so sweetly as he designs peacocks, flags, cycles out of the yummy candy.
“Gola” or “chuski” (ice candy) and locally-made ice creams served on banana leaves have many takers. Special culinary delights “batta”, marble-sealed bottle of lemonade and “Rose” from Ami Chand outside the Golden Temple have become a “must-try”, despite MNC beverages and fruit juices in tetra packs! The famous “kulfi” of the Hall Bazaar, too, retains its unusual flavour despite many city cousins of it being marketed at posh shopping arcades in fancy wrappers.
Even the “desi tandoor” (earthen oven), which is exported to neighbouring countries and is especially popular in Dubai, finds favour with many foreigners and Indians who take a smaller version of it abroad for making lip-smacking naans, rotis, kulchas and all Punjabi tandoori fare that is a rage in the West.
"JHATT-PHATT" FAKING............
It is learnt that persons indulging in dubious land deals prefer to get clicked from “jhatt-patt” cameras for purpose of revenue records, as the picture quality is lost within a short span of time.
This “desi” version of the pin-hole camera is an interesting device precariously balanced on a tripod made of old rickety crutches. A slot is made to put photosensitive Nova RC glossy paper from a hole made in the case and the target is positioned on a chair.
On the other side, a lid is uncovered for a split second for exposure of light from target, while a shade protects the exposure slot from sunlight. The exposed paper is pulled out from the case by the photographer who inserts his hand into an old trouser-leg of a pair of jeans attached to the other end. The paper is put into a developer solution in the case which acts like a mini “dark room” and further dropped into a fixer below which is wrapped with wet towel to keep it at suitable temperature. The pictures are ready in five minutes!

AMAN-- THE ANGEL--About a 14 year old who lives through 11 people

MIDDLE Published in The Tribune page 10 AMAN--The Angel--Is About a 14-year old who lives through 11 people
by Rashmi Talwar (Amritsar)
February 5, 2008
I rushed into the arms of Mamta Jain, my dearest friend, at the Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi. She wailed “My baby” “My Baby” and broke in tears. This was my second time to the hospital straight from the railway station since Mamta’s only son Aman was admitted there in the April of 2005. All around her relatives and friends cried anew with the mother’s sobs as her son struggled between life and death from an acute asthma attack rendering him comatose. As Mamta’s tears poured down my neck, suddenly she lifted her head and announced that she and her husband Arun Jain had decided to donate all the organs of their 14-year-old son who was declared brain dead. The announcement by this couple from Gurgaon took everyone by surprise and overwhelmed even those unknown to them, while the hospital suddenly showed signs of furious activity. The couple, their family and friends had tried every possible means to revive the son who was the youngest after two daughters Rashi and Disha. Oxygen tent, rushing to gurus, “mannat” to reiki, no stone was left unturned, as round the clock the family prayed for a “miracle”. Mamta and Arun even recorded their voice telling Aman how much they loved him, reminding him of their good times together and conveyed their message through a walkman to rekindle the desire to fight back and live again! When all hope failed they decided that their beloved son would not go unsung — he would go as an “angel”. They donated all his organs and gave fresh lease of life to 11 people. In a moment alone Mamta answered to me that she feels proud to have been able to carry out such a decision and didn’t let the thoughts of his teenage body being cut even as his heart was kept beating to flush the organs, ever cloud her mind. I felt like saluting this courageous and brave woman! Many letters of condolences praising the couple poured in for months. Many were read out at his “chautha” ceremony. It reminded me of the first time we had come for Aman’s birthday celebration to Gurgaon and the present scenario of kidney racket in the same city that threw up suggestions in favour of cadaver donations. A recent article about an army hospital research and referral in Delhi truly showed the way to organ donation and a wakeup call to all those who truly feel close to god unmindful of dogmas and superstitions of their religion. As one poster in this hospital reads, “Don’t carry your organs to heaven because God knows we need them here more ….” Aman truly became an “angel” not only for his parents who still cradle his memories in scrapbook and the 11 who benefited from him but for all those who hear his story.

Promote AtamJeet' Artwork

Little India away from homeThe over-the top desi touch at Jackson Heights in the US leaves an Indian visitor both nostalgic and amused, writes Rashmi Talwar

Indians with a cutting edge: Tailors at Jackson Heights — Photos by the writer

Nothing excites you more than a piece of homeland on foreign shores! At "Little India" ensconced in a maze of American neighbourhoods at Jackson Heights in Queens, a borough of New York City, it is almost impossible not to fall captive to the mouth-watering charms of fresh samosas, pakoras, kichori and chat. For an Asian it is just the place that comes as a "homely antidote" after the glitz, glamour, flashing neon lights, water cruises, pubs, nightlife, beaches, pizzas, burgers and hot dogs of America. A virtual paradise for every Indian, this locality makes you feel as though you are home. Some of the top Bollywood stars make a beeline here to unveil their shows. No doubt then that this tiny locality offers everything authentically Indian — a rarity in other parts of the US. Dotted with Indian shops choc-a-block with jewellery, sarees, music, grocery, and other paraphernalia, the locality is home and offers business to most South Asian communities, including Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis. However the ‘Indian diaspora and display’ dominates every nook and corner of the place, earning it the sobriquet of "Little India". Road to recognition: A street has been named after Kalpana Chawla in New York Streets here are abuzz with beats of pop bhangra, latest Indi-pop, ghazals and old Hindi songs. There are life-size posters in music shops of Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerjee and muscle-flexing Salman and Shahrukh Khan besides popular Punjabi singers Babbu Mann, Jazzy B, Hansraj and Gurdas Mann. Along with music and movie releases, the extravaganza of forthcoming shows on posters adds desi glamour to the street. There are also posters of spiritual and religious organisations, offering details of their organisations and programmes. So you have announcements of bhakti sangathans, Swami Ramdev’s yoga camp, Baisakhi mela celebrations, meditation classes and even Hindi plays playing at a community temple. If the Indian culture and colours seem overplayed and flamboyant, a street named Kalpana Chawla Way — as a tribute to the Indian astronaut who died during a space expedition — truly makes an Indian proud. CHANTING DESI MANTRA: A pandit heading for work The street in Little India has everything that an Indian would need in the US. There are 120V to 240 V compatible electronics, fixo for pasting beard along with special round-tipped scissors for moustaches. Surprisingly, kali mehndi (henna) is more in demand than hair colours. If there’s a wedding in the family, there’s no need to fret. For, all the items required in the ceremony and rituals are available here: sehras, kalirey, chura, lehangas, nariyal, banana leaves, mauli, kum-kum, trendy bindis, etc. Also, on sale are havan kunds, portraits of the 10 Sikh gurus, idols of gods and goddesses as well as strings of rudaraksh. Add to this CDs of Gayatri Mantra, bhajans, Sufi songs, Guru ki bani and shabads. It is a little surprising to see a number of elderly Indians working at these stores. There are turbaned ‘old’ men pressing leaflets to passers-by for saree sales at glittering stores or elderly Punjabi women displaying CDs and DVDs of Bollywood masala and music before prospective customers. Manjeet, alias Maan, a shop owner, says it is common to find "pop-mom shops" among the Indians here. It is common for Indian families to run businesses that involves the elderly in the family," he discloses in ‘Pinglish’— a mix of Punjabi and English. While fresh karelas, bhindi, tori and mirchis jostle for space with mini tomatoes, baby corn and snow-peas outside some grocery stores in neatly lined cases, tindas and parbal shunned back home as the poor man’s meals, are really a treat here with the magic of Indian spices. Interestingly the most sought after item is the "curd starter" — jaag— that promises to prepare the perfect Indian curd. Mouth-watering snacks like papri chat, honey roasted nuts, kebabs, tikkas, and rasmalai are enough o make one nostalgic. Fragrance of sandalwood incense emanates from jewellery and multi-ethnic stores. Surprisingly, the gold jewellery displayed here is hideously loud and garish. Perhaps this is the only place where pizzas are sold cheaper than Indian delicacies like kalakand and kaju ki barfi. While the barfi comes for $7 a piece, two large slices of pizza and a can of soda are sold for $4. A foodie could find a sumptuous buffet ($120 to $150) of chicken tikka, tandoori drumsticks, malai kofta, palak paneer, kadai ghosht, chicken and goat curry, raita, palao, giant glass of lassi, chach (buttermilk) or panna (mango drink) with kheer, gulab jamun or rasgollas as desert. Even halal meat is available. Sadly, however, mostly the Mexican variety of mangoes are available here and there are hardly any varieties of desi mangoes. There are ‘authentic’ tailors for salwar kameez, saree blouses, kurtas and yoga pants. Flooded with orders, they charge the moon for latest necklines like halters and back-strings styles of saree blouses and salwar suits. "We keep in touch with the latest fashion trends from Indian TV serials," smilingly admits Vinod Tiwari, a tailor here for the last 30 years. Anything Indian or Asian is hot news with about 20 weekly newspapers coming in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Gujarati. The most popular are India Abroad, Desi Talk, India New England, India in New York, India Weekly In USA, India Tribune, Aji (Punjabi), Independent Voice, Pardesh News (Punjabi), Indus Business Journal and Desi Match (for matrimonial purposes). Interestingly, the street wares are too Indian by even Indian standards. For instance, a handy sewing kit comes with a mattress needle — the typical Punjabi kandhuee used by our grandmothers to sew quilts. But perhaps the quaintest sight was to see a panditji complete with saffron robes and all.

"LITTLE INDIA" IN NEW YORK, USA

"LITTLE INDIA" IN NEW YORK, USA

AMRITSAR Sunday, January 13, 2008

Little India away from homeThe over-the top desi touch at Jackson Heights in the US leaves an Indian visitor both nostalgic and amused, writes RASHMI TALWAR Indians with a cutting edge: Tailors at Jackson Heights — Photos by the writer

Nothing excites you more than a piece of homeland on foreign shores! At "Little India" ensconced in a maze of American neighbourhoods at Jackson Heights in Queens, a borough of New York City, it is almost impossible not to fall captive to the mouth-watering charms of fresh samosas, pakoras, kichori and chat.
For an Asian it is just the place that comes as a "homely antidote" after the glitz, glamour, flashing neon lights, water cruises, pubs, nightlife, beaches, pizzas, burgers and hot dogs of America. A virtual paradise for every Indian, this locality makes you feel as though you are home. Some of the top Bollywood stars make a beeline here to unveil their shows. No doubt then that this tiny locality offers everything authentically Indian — a rarity in other parts of the US.
Dotted with Indian shops choc-a-block with jewellery, sarees, music, grocery, and other paraphernalia, the locality is home and offers business to most South Asian communities, including Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis. However the ‘Indian diaspora and display’ dominates every nook and corner of the place, earning it the sobriquet of "Little India".
Road to recognition: A street has been named after Kalpana Chawla in New York Streets here are abuzz with beats of pop bhangra, latest Indi-pop, ghazals and old Hindi songs. There are life-size posters in music shops of Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerjee and muscle-flexing Salman and Shahrukh Khan besides popular Punjabi singers Babbu Mann, Jazzy B, Hansraj and Gurdas Mann. Along with music and movie releases, the extravaganza of forthcoming shows on posters adds desi glamour to the street.
There are also posters of spiritual and religious organisations, offering details of their organisations and programmes. So you have announcements of bhakti sangathans, Swami Ramdev’s yoga camp, Baisakhi mela celebrations, meditation classes and even Hindi plays playing at a community temple.
If the Indian culture and colours seem overplayed and flamboyant, a street named Kalpana Chawla Way — as a tribute to the Indian astronaut who died during a space expedition — truly makes an Indian proud.
CHANTING DESI MANTRA: A pandit heading for work
The street in Little India has everything that an Indian would need in the US. There are 120V to 240 V compatible electronics, fixo for pasting beard along with special round-tipped scissors for moustaches. Surprisingly, kali mehndi (henna) is more in demand than hair colours.
If there’s a wedding in the family, there’s no need to fret. For, all the items required in the ceremony and rituals are available here: sehras, kalirey, chura, lehangas, nariyal, banana leaves, mauli, kum-kum, trendy bindis, etc. Also, on sale are havan kunds, portraits of the 10 Sikh gurus, idols of gods and goddesses as well as strings of rudaraksh. Add to this CDs of Gayatri Mantra, bhajans, Sufi songs, Guru ki bani and shabads.
It is a little surprising to see a number of elderly Indians working at these stores. There are turbaned ‘old’ men pressing leaflets to passers-by for saree sales at glittering stores or elderly Punjabi women displaying CDs and DVDs of Bollywood masala and music before prospective customers. Manjeet, alias Maan, a shop owner, says it is common to find "pop-mom shops" among the Indians here. It is common for Indian families to run businesses that involves the elderly in the family," he discloses in ‘Pinglish’— a mix of Punjabi and English.
While fresh karelas, bhindi, tori and mirchis jostle for space with mini tomatoes, baby corn and snow-peas outside some grocery stores in neatly lined cases, tindas and parbal shunned back home as the poor man’s meals, are really a treat here with the magic of Indian spices. Interestingly the most sought after item is the "curd starter" — jaag— that promises to prepare the perfect Indian curd.
Mouth-watering snacks like papri chat, honey roasted nuts, kebabs, tikkas, and rasmalai are enough o make one nostalgic. Fragrance of sandalwood incense emanates from jewellery and multi-ethnic stores. Surprisingly, the gold jewellery displayed here is hideously loud and garish.
Perhaps this is the only place where pizzas are sold cheaper than Indian delicacies like kalakand and kaju ki barfi. While the barfi comes for $7 a piece, two large slices of pizza and a can of soda are sold for $4.
A foodie could find a sumptuous buffet ($120 to $150) of chicken tikka, tandoori drumsticks, malai kofta, palak paneer, kadai ghosht, chicken and goat curry, raita, palao, giant glass of lassi, chach (buttermilk) or panna (mango drink) with kheer, gulab jamun or rasgollas as desert. Even halal meat is available. Sadly, however, mostly the Mexican variety of mangoes are available here and there are hardly any varieties of desi mangoes.
There are ‘authentic’ tailors for salwar kameez, saree blouses, kurtas and yoga pants. Flooded with orders, they charge the moon for latest necklines like halters and back-strings styles of saree blouses and salwar suits. "We keep in touch with the latest fashion trends from Indian TV serials," smilingly admits Vinod Tiwari, a tailor here for the last 30 years.
Anything Indian or Asian is hot news with about 20 weekly newspapers coming in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Gujarati. The most popular are India Abroad, Desi Talk, India New England, India in New York, India Weekly In USA, India Tribune, Aji (Punjabi), Independent Voice, Pardesh News (Punjabi), Indus Business Journal and Desi Match (for matrimonial purposes).
Interestingly, the street wares are too Indian by even Indian standards. For instance, a handy sewing kit comes with a mattress needle — the typical Punjabi kandhuee used by our grandmothers to sew quilts.
But perhaps the quaintest sight was to see a panditji complete with saffron robes and all.