BT Brinjal

It will be a delectable dish of mammoth proportions but with a message -- 500 kg of 'baingan ka bharta' will be cooked Tuesday to protest against a proposed move to approve genetically modified crops, including the brinjal.
Thousands of activists will gather at Dilli Haat in south Delhi to participate in cooking the baingan ka bharta to protest passage of the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) bill, which if enacted, is expected to allow easy approval of genetically modified (GM) crops such as Bt brinjal.
'Thousands of activists, volunteers, citizens groups, civil society organisations, Le Meridian chefs and the Indian Culinary Forum will participate in the event,' said Kapil Mishra, an official of Greenpeace India, which is organising the event.
'We will also offer a plate of the dish to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. We will take a plate to his residence after the event with a message, 'If the BRAI bill is on, this will be the last GM free baingan bharta you will eat',' said an official.
Greenpeace officials claim this record to be the first of its kind.
Volunteers will use 300 kg of brinjal and 200 kg of other ingredients, said Mishra, adding, only organic ingredients will be used.
?Through this event we want to spread the message that Indians should say no to GM food and BRAI bill as GM food is very dangerous for health,? Mishra said.
The bharta will be distributed to various orphanages and NGOs.
Greenpeace will also submit before the prime minister a petition signed by thousands, to stop the BRAI bill.

Girl Found Abandoned

A newborn baby girl was found abandoned by the roadside in Pali district in Rajasthan - the latest such incident in a state where the sex ratio is terribly skewed.
Police said Sunday the baby was found abandoned in Bidi Paldi village near Sumerpur area of Pali district, some 300 km from state capital Jaipur.
The baby has been admitted to hospital in critical condition.
The unidentified baby, who was born prematurely, was found Saturday evening by a group of pilgrims.
?The baby was crying loudly. The pilgrims informed the police following which she was taken to hospital in an ambulance. We have registered a case against unidentified persons and launched investigations,? a police officer told IANS.
Many recent instances of baby girls being left abandoned have been reported in the state.
In August, a nine-month-old baby girl was found on the doorstep of a children's home in Jodhpur with a note in English from the parents saying that they are going out of town and would return to claim her in a couple of months.
In July, a newborn girl was found abandoned in a railway crossing control room in Dungarpur district.
Similarly, a newborn baby girl was found abandoned in Rajasthan's Ganganagar district in January. The baby died later in hospital.
According to Census 2011, Rajasthan has 883 girls between the age of 0-6 for every 1,000 boys. The child sex ratio in 2001 was 909.
Alarmed at the skewed sex ratio, the state government recently announced steps to curb prenatal sex determination tests at ultrasound clinics.
The steps include increasing the number of health department inspection teams and equipping them with devices, such as hidden cameras and voice recorders.
The state government has also increased the amount of money given to anyone who complains about ultrasound clinics carrying out such tests.

Ways To Look Young

'Beauty is what health and happiness look like on the outside,' Good Housekeeping told readers in 1916. Our advice has changed little since because we've always extolled the fundamentals: The right diet, exercise and spirit promote long life - and keep you looking and feeling young. (Of course, a fabulous haircut, lipstick, and the right pair of jeans can't hurt, either.) Here's the ultimate clock-resetting guide - beauty how-to and health must-do. Mind your brain These strategies will help keep you sharp-witted(and healthy, too!) throughout your life Drink up Your coffee, that is. Swedish and Finnish researchers found that moderate consumption of coffee (3-5 small cups a day) cuts the risk of dementia by 65 percent. Get moving Middle-aged women and men who exercise 5-6 times a week (brisk walking is okay) are far less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment later in life. Check your numbers High cholesterol in your 40s can up your chances of developing Alzheimer's later in life, researchers reported at a 2008 meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. Also Keep an eye on Your high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Low levels are linked to memory loss and dementia, a University College, London, study of 3,673 participants found. Watch your weight Obesity can increase the dementia risk by 80 percent, a Johns Hopkins, US, study found. Most dangerous: fat around your middle. Be a groupie Payoffs from having a circle of friends or people you see regularly at a club or other gathering: Lower blood pressure Delayed memory loss Reduced risk of recurrent stroke and even the common cold Save your skin Choose the right products but follow through with some mustdos as well... Your chest is thin-skinned, making it susceptible to sun damage. to renew it, gently exfoliate regularly with a face scrub. Wear a hat that has at least a three-inch brim in order to shade your face. or carry a parasol. on cold days, give your face extra protection with a super-rich thick moisturiser. Use sunscreen with a minimum spf of 15 - no matter where you live or what your skin colour, use every day, whether it's winter or summer. and don't forget the after-sun face wash. Keep an eye on your vision Dark green leafy vegetables are prime sources of both lutein and zeaxanthin, plant pigments that protect your eyes from uv damage. make lettuce salads - and make sure spinach is on the menu, too. Happy birthday! Celebrating one of these milestones? Gift yourself new cosmetics and a new look. Move beyond the bare essentials. Don't hold back - treat yourself to... AT 30 tinted moisturisers, loose body powders and shimmers. AT 40 lengthening mascara, eyelid primer. AT 50 rosy blush, glowy foundation. AT 60 shimmery shadow, hydrating lipstick.

Use Soaps Or Not

After a visit to my bathroom and seeing my collection of toiletries, including shower gels and body washes, my grandmother couldn't help telling me how in their days, soap used to be a luxury - that they used to even make "lye" soaps at home to save expense. She disapproved of my "indulgence" in toiletries. While dadi may be partly right (I don't need four varieties of shower gels at one time), the fact is that today, one actually needs several beauty products that were considered indulgences in the past. In my grandmother's times, environmental conditions were not harsh for one's skin, and pollution wasn't choking your skin cells. So, the everyday soap, which does in fact strip your skin of natural oils, was something your skin could take more easily than it can now. So, while soap still serves the basic purpose of cleansing, ordinary bars will strip your skin of the essential fatty oils. All body washes are formulated to cleanse, without drying your skin.]

Why not soaps?
Dr Aparna Santhanam, columnist for Good Housekeeping and Mumbai based dermatologist says, 'Soaps are, traditionally, alkaline in nature. As our skin is slightly acidic, soaps were harsh and harmful to its basic nature. Today, there are "neutral" soaps with glycerin as well as syndet (synthetic detergent), changing the alkaline factor. So choose the right one, if using.' Adds Dr Shehla Agarwal, Delhi-based dermatologist and cosmetologist, 'People with dry and sensitive skin must use body wash.

Why body washes?
Body washes, explains Dr Agarwal, are milder. 'They are not "hard" like regular soaps - they clean without ripping the skin of essential natural oils and fatty acids.' Dr Santhanam adds, ' Body washes are more hygienic as their surface is not touched by different users. They come in a closed container, so pollutants in the air do not affect them. They are also enriched with additional moisturisers which help nourish the skin better.

Face wash, a must
When it comes to your face, use a face wash. The skin on your face is more delicate and needs extra moisturising care that you do not get from the regular soaps. If you want to use soap on your face, choose the ones with moisturisers, glycerine or moisturising milk as ingredients.

Skin To Glow

In winter, low temperatures, low humidity and strong, harsh winds dry the skin and cause itchiness and rashes. Here are some tips for skin care in winter. 1. Keep Water Lukewarm, Not Hot - Hot water robs skin of moisture causing dry skin, so it's best to shower in lukewarm water. Try and keep your showers short and if you can avoid tub baths and a long soak. 2. Wash hands in lukewarm, never hot water. This helps prevent dryness of the skin and hands. 3. Moisturizer is the key to soft, supple skin. Apply product when skin is slightly damp. For best effect, pat skin dry instead of rubbing with your towel before application. Use a moisturizer that has sun block in it. Baby oil is also a good skin moisturizer and keep skin soft and supple. 4. Do not use soaps that are strong and can lead to dryness of skin. Use a soap with a creamy moisturizing cleanser that contains glycerin or a body wash. Try bath oils or oatmeal scrubs, which are great for soothing itchy skin.

Screen That Sun

Baz Luhrmann, the award-winning director, once said: 'If I could offer you only one (beauty) tip for the future, sunscreen would be it!' Not enough emphasis can be laid on the importance of sunscreen in your skin regime. For starters, don't step out of your house without sun protection - whether or not the sun is out in its full glory. Even on a cloudy day, you stand the risk of sunburn from the UVA and UVB rays, and once it happens, it takes an average of four years to undo it! Remember, a regular summer cotton dress gives you less than SPF 10 protection from the sun. So, to re-emphasise - there is no substitute for sun protection. Love yourself, love your sunscreen. Fact file 1: Sunblock and sunscreen are different. Sunblock sits on your skin, literally "blocking" the sun rays from reaching your skin. You don't need to apply it 20-30 minutes before stepping out of your house. Which you need to do in case of sunscreens, as they need to be absorbed into your skin to form a protective layer from within. Fact file 2: Makeup is never 100 percent water-proof. If it says "waterproof", it is going to resist being washed away by water, sweat and body oils for a while, but in time, it will go. Re-apply your sunscreen, water-proof or not, every 2-3 hours, specially when you are outdoors. Fact file 3: Mumbai-based cosmetologist Dr Rohini Wadhwani, a visiting expert at the recent Lakmé Good Housekeeping Weekend in Delhi, says, 'During the day, do not wear a lot of makeup as it gets difficult to re-apply the sunscreen. 'Keep makeup minimal, and try to buy cosmetics with SPF - this helps to increase the protection from the sun.' Fact file 4: Avoid the sun from 11am to 4pm. 5Include after-sun products in your beauty regime.

The Dark Side Of Fairness

Adding to the storm of debate around the issue of fairness creams, undertones of racism and an obsession that spans the globe, two recent incidents have stoked the fires again. An ad by a global brand in personal care, owned by Unilever, has sparked debate on whether the brand is implying that darker skin is less desirable. And Naomi Campbell's outrage at being compared to a chocolate bar has led to talk of Cadbury's Bliss ad campaign being racist. While Jake believes it stems from the psychology of Gori, another user believes it is the ads that define for society, what beauty means. In lighter vein, one user disagrees - fairness creams try to kick away racism just by making everyone fair. Something to think about? Some great contributions tracing racism and prejudice back to society, family, slave-trade and colonialism.

Look Summer Perfect

Not having fun in the sun? Here's how you can look your best even on the hottest day of the season. Looking forward to wearing that sexy sundress and strappy top that you stashed away for a special summer brunch? Wait, just as you begin to enjoy your new summer body, the sun plays spoilsport and your super toned legs are tanned, your sexy top has (heaven forbid) sweat patches and your deo is not as effective as you thought (double ouch)?.Don't worry, we tell you how to check these summer bummers. Sun Tan: A protective reaction by the skin to the sun's harsh sun rays and skin darkening is increased melanin production. Therefore to avoid tanning, protection is a must. Always use a broad spectrum sunscreen (protects from UVA and UVB rays). A formulation with an SPF of 20-30 usually works well for Indian skin tones. Apply the sunscreen 20 minutes before you leave the house. "A bottle of about 175 ml should be enough for two months. If it lasts longer, it means you aren't using enough," warns Dr Narmada Matang, head, Medical Operations, Kaya Skin Clinic. Re-application is the key. If you're out in the sun (especially during the peak hours of 10 am to 4 pm), re-apply every two hours. "Clean your face with a wet wipe (aqua-based and hypoallergenic) before re-applying," adds Matang. If you're on the beach or in the hills, beware of the sand and sun factor. You need to use a higher SPF (30 and above) and re-apply frequently. You can never be overprotected from the sun, so carry that umbrella, put on those dark glasses and wear that scarf. A sunburn is a severe case of tanning where skin can turn red, painful and even itchy, says Dr Jaishree Sharad, Mumbai-based dermatologist. Splash your face with cold water or apply ice after sun exposure to prevent redness and skin burning, advises Dr Rekha Sheth, cosmetic dermatologist. To remove a tan, apply curd or buttermilk on all exposed skin zones and wash off after 30 minutes, suggests Shahnaz Husain, beauty expert. Sweat: This is the body's internal mechanism to cool itself down. But those sweat patches on your clothes can be very embarrassing. Plus, high temperature and moisture BUMMERare ideal breeding grounds for fungi and can result in infections and body odour. Be particular about hygiene-take a shower twice a day, dry yourself thoroughly especially on body folds and between your toes and wear loose cotton clothes, says Sharad. Use anti-fungal powder all over. If you do have excessive sweat issues, underarm botox is an option. "A relatively painless and simple procedure, it slows down the working of the sweat glands for about four to six months," says Sharad. Oily Skin: High temperature causes the sebaceous glands to swell up, leading to overproduction of oil. This combined with sweat causes results in greasy skin. "Wash your face two to three times a day with a mild cleanser with 2% salicylic acid. However, don't leave it on your face too long," advises Matang. The hot summer air can also make your skin dry, so do use a hypoallergenic moisturiser, recommends Sheth. To reduce oiliness, apply a mix of fresh tomato juice (2 tsp) with a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this to your face at least once a day. This will help to control sebum production, but at the same time, won't dry out your skin, says Dr Jamuna Pai, Mumbai-based cosmetic physician. Greasy Scalp & Sun Damaged Hair: Sweat and excessive oil production result in a greasy scalp. Wash your hair frequently, even every day if required. Avoid touching your scalp or running your fingers through your hair, advises Sumit Israni, hair expert, Geetanjali Salon, New Delhi. The sun is also harsh on hair, particularly if it is coloured. It's a good idea to use a protective serum and cover your hair with a scarf before stepping out. To restore the shine to sun-damaged and brittle hair, take half a cup of apple cider vinegar and dilute it with a cup of water. Pour this on your hair after shampooing, recommends Pai. Reduce oiliness by applying egg white on hair half an hour before washing, advises Husain. Skin Breakouts: Excessive oil, sweat and pollutants can cause clogging of skin pores, leading to breakouts, rashes and even aggravation in acne. Of course, acne can have other causes as well but if oily skin is the reason for your acne condition, then summer could see a return of those skin woes. Heat boils are also very common during this season. The high temperature combined with sweat can cause hair follicle infection leading to painful boils, warns Sharad. It's important to maintain good hygiene, wear cotton clothes and use generous amounts of anti-fungal powder. Sandalwood paste applied on pimples, acne and boils can help calm the skin, says Husain. However, if you continue to be plagued with acne, it's best to consult a dermatologist. Runny Make-Up: Always use pressed powder over liquid foundation, advises make-up expert Ashima Kapoor. Not only is it easy to carry around for touch-ups, it also keeps sweat away. Choose a powder blush as well. "It's a good idea to use primer before applying the foundation as it helps the make-up stay longer," says Kapoor. Also, waterproof mascara, eyeliner and lip liner will prevent the make-up from melting in the sun. Opt for make-up with an SPF for added sun protection.

Burn Your Fat

Which of us doesn't wish for a miracle way of losing weight that doesn't involve giving up pizza and joining the gym? This wishful thinking undoubtedly explains why fat burners have become such hot- selling products in India. "In the past sportsmen and celebrities would go for fat burning products because their profession demanded a desired body in a short time period. But nowadays anyone who wants to lose weight buys these," says Ryan Fernando, Bangalore-based nutritionist and weight management expert. Fat burners are dietary supplements that generate a heat producing response, which in turn raises the body's metabolism and may improve its ability to burn calories. Miscellaneous products fall under this category and the supplement industry has loosely coined the term 'fat burners' for this potent combination of various ingredients. "All sorts of fat burners in the market can be divided into three categories based on their mechanism of action. They help you to lose weight by curbing your appetite, by tweaking your metabolism or by giving you a boost of energy," says fitness expert Dr Som Tugnait. THE 'BEST' BURNER Finding a fat burner that works best for you is like finding a needle in a haystack — there are hundreds of brands of fat burners in the market, making it challenging to decide which to pick in the absence of expert guidance. Even if you locate the brand that matches your needs and goals, this can cause numerous side effects if taken in inappropriate amounts, or at the wrong time of the day. "Fat burners contain ingredients from a wide variety of sources. Only a qualified nutritionist will have credible knowledge about them and can help you choose a product with the right combination of ingredients," says Ryan. Also, fat burners are no magic bullets. They complement, but can't replace the essential components of a weight loss programme, working best in conjunction with a consistent training and diet plan. IT'S A POWER COMBO THE idea of "fat burning" began with a combination called the ECA (E for ephedrine, C for caffeine and A for aspirin) stack popular through the 90's. Ephedrine is the primary active ingredient in the stack. Caffeine in itself doesn't have significant weight loss benefits but becomes a potent fat burner when combined with ephedrine. Similarly, aspirin also extends the effects of ephedrine. The main impact of ingesting this combination is a reduction in the appetite. If taken in high dosages, the ECA stack significantly increases metabolism, leading to a burning of extra calories per day. A nutritionist has to experiment with different combinations to determine which form and dosage is best tolerated by an individual. ECA stack was highly popular among people in professions (sportsmen and actors) who needed to keep their energy up and weight down. "Ephedrine and caffeine combined make for a strong stimulant, which gives an energy boost, ideal for someone working out. But it's highly addictive and often when a person stops taking them, he doesn't feel the same desire to work out," says Dr Tugnait. Concern was raised when laypeople started using them without medical supervision: Most had no idea about their sometimes lethal side effects, especially when doses are too high; they are taken over an extended period and in combination with other drugs. The ECA stack is no longer popular today because of their well-documented side effects. Though ephedrine is a banned substance, nowadays supplement manufacturers source it from the Chinese herb ma huang and other minor sources such as Sida cordifolia. But what users don't know is that most fat burning products available in the market today have ingredients based on ECA stack — Ma huang has been a staple of most weight-loss formulas , resulting in increased central nervous system stimulation, thermogenesis, and appetite suppression. Some of the popular products are: Lipo-6 by Nutrex, Tight by SAN, Hydroxycut by Muscletech, Xenadrine, Liquid Fire, Rapid Cuts, Lipotropic. ARE THEY SAFE ALMOST all fat burners help in increasing weight loss by altering natural mechanisms of the body — changing the metabolism, curbing the appetite or raising the body temperature. Experts say that it's best to avoid these and embark on a weight loss programme involving lifestyle changes. If you don't lose weight despite this, it's best to consult an endocrinologist who would run a few tests to check your metabolism and hormone levels. If you still want to go for a fat burner, do see a qualified nutritionist who would prescribe a fat burner matching your blood chemistry. Blood chemistry tests give doctors information about your muscles, bones, heart, kidneys and liver.