Current Articles
PUBLISHERS MESSAGE: Cheers To Power: The Journey, Not The destination
Vegan Cosmetics: Animal Awareness For Beauty Companies Is More Than Skin Deep
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Domestic Abuse: A Cultural Catastrophe?
By: Sarina Murji
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF AJAY LAD
Chicago, Illinois is a city bustling, bursting and bubbling with life. With its nightlife, food and music, Chicago—a city of around 3 million—is large and diverse enough to appeal to just about everyone. A flight into Chicago will bring you to the O’Hare International Airport, said to be one of the busiest airports in the world and one of the best. From there you would find yourself at the northwest corner of the “Chicago Loop” aka downtown Chicago, nicknamed after the public transit that circles the area. Downtown Chicago consists of all the fundamentals: shopping, food, theatre and parties. MORE
Jimi Hendrix once said, “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
The first time I read this quote, I thought I knew what he was saying, but as life rolled along, I realized the magnitude of what he meant, or at least, my interpretation of it: the ‘love of power’ depicts a means to an end; i.e. the destination and the ‘power of love’ is an end to the means; i.e. the journey and what it teaches us.
In my younger years, all I could think about was being famous. I wanted people to know me because I, in my infinite wisdom, thought this would give me happiness, albeit, not knowing what actually defined happiness.
So my journey began when I was 16 and I wanted to become a singer/songwriter. To this end, I spent a year taking vocal lessons, taught myself how to build a studio (in my bedroom) and produced songs that I had written. After creating my first demo tape (that I was happy with), I shipped it off to numerous record labels in the hopes that someone would respond, but not expecting that anyone would. It wasn’t long before I received two calls: one from Indipop Music and one from Virgin Records UK. Both were interested in meeting me, but I was unnerved at the quick responses. I met with the managing director of Indipop who came to see me at home. He was fascinated by my bedroom studio as well as my fusion sound and asked me to record a song for a forthcoming compilation he was putting together. In a matter of a moment, my dream had become a reality and not prepared for this, I bolted.
This happened a second time a year later when I was 18 and I was approached by a talent scout who wanted me to join a travelling Shakespeare company after having watched me play Lady Macbeth in the Shakespeare play Macbeth. Again, I wasn’t ready to turn a dream into reality, so I forwent the opportunity. Years later at 30, fresh from a divorce and numerous life lessons later, I had an epiphany. I realized that I had spent my entire life in love with the idea of a dream instead of the reality of giving it life. I was a viewer of life as opposed to a participant. I was in love with power with no real understanding that the greatest power of all was the ‘power of love’ (corny I know but true nonetheless). No sooner had I discovered this that I was hell bent on starting act two of my life. I wanted to have the power to provide a platform for people to showcase their journey and what they had learned along the way — their respective ‘power of love’. This was the beginning of a lifelong love affair for me for which I went back to college to learn how to effectively tell people’s stories. From this was born ANOKHI Magazine, anokhimagazine.com and ANOKHI Pulse TV — the ultimate platform: media. What I didn’t plan for was that my journey, my ‘power of love’, my peace would also result in my achieving the destination as well — power as a bi-product, as there is no greater man-made power than the power of media. It’s funny, but life sure knows how to throw us curve balls doesn’t it? If you have a similar story to tell, we’d love to hear it. Who knows, we might even publish it (with your permission of course)! Email us at: anokhihearsyou@anokhimagazine.com. Looking forward to hearing from you!
This issue of ANOKHI has been dedicated to this particular definition of power, and we have chosen the Pussycat Dolls’ multi-talented Nicole Scherzinger to represent this, our very first Power Issue. Nicole was first introduced to Indian culture through fashion by the Desi Hits! Crew who were instrumental in the collaboration between the Pussycat Dolls and Indian celebrity fashion designer, Rocky S who dressed the Dolls in saris for Condé Nast Fashion Rocks 2008. This was followed by Nicole penning and performing the club version of A. R. Rahman’s masterpiece, “Jai Ho” which has been firing up the airways and the club scene of late. Nicole shares her ‘power of love’ — as a woman of mixed race, who took the learnings of her journey and carved a successful international career from it. Read her story on page 26 and be inspired to reach for your very own power to be whomever you choose to be!
Until Next Time,
BE UNIQUE. BE ANOKHI.
Raj Girn
Publisher/Editorial Director
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As soon as the temperature’s single digits go double, I open up my sunroof and play that one song that gets me into the summer spirit: “Rio” by Duran Duran. There is something incredibly seductive about the synthesized beats and the song evokes just the right dose of nostalgia. The gorgeous vision of Nick, Simon, Andy and John frolicking on their yacht without a care in the world, looking uber-chic in their crisp linen suits just makes me want to reach for my hot pink lip gloss and Ray-Bans and kick it up with the boys. The unveiling of the summer sun is something we all relish and celebrate either by exploring various states of dress (or undress), experimenting with bolder and brighter makeup or simply feeling the need to be kissed by the sun. Passionately.
We are celebrating the summer season with The Power Issue. In this day and age, things often seem beyond our control. However, we at ANOKHI firmly believe that NOW is the time to take command of your life. We want you to refocus, recharge and take charge of your mind, body, soul and all the things in between.
Starting off with our exclusive interview with the ridiculously gorgeous Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls (Open Chest, page 26), who talks to us about her life and her journey as an artist that is taking charge in the music business. The Power Issue is jam-packed with an abundance of tips from our panel of experts in a special expanded edition of the Wellness section that includes a hot n’ sexy four-page spread (Summer Sex Special, page 100). We also demystify yoga by examining the different styles and their benefits (Yoga Unplugged, page 88) and help you take charge of your fridge with healthy tips (Neera’s The Dish, page 92).
We continue to bring you hard-hitting topics in our Percolator Talk by taking a closer look at domestic violence in the South Asian community and the ways in which men and women can empower themselves towards a brighter future (Domestic Abuse: A Cultural Catastrophe? page 118) The power of protest is redefined letting your voices be heard — louder and stronger (People’s Power, page 122).
As always we at ANOKHI bring you haute fashion and style with our summer roundup of sizzling looks and tips. Kick the recession where it hurts by embracing a sharper and bolder you (Lavish Lines, page 56), go crazy in technicolour (Kaleidoscope, page 42) and don’t leave home without reading our summer pointers for your skin and hair (Summer Goddess, page 72). Heading to the beach? Don’t forget to take with you our favorite products (Surfs Up, page 114).
Kick off those heels, feel the sand between your toes and join us in our summer state of mind. Be it. Flaunt it. Own it.
The yacht awaits.
We love to hear from you! Email us at anokhihearsyou@anokhimagazine.com.
Best,
Hina P. Ansari
Editor-In-Chief
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BY: MICHELE AUBIE
What’s in a name? For Charu Parashar, the answer begins with imagination, a love of haute couture culture and prêt-a-porter Indian fashions. Since 1993, Parashar’s self-titled label has been a parade of luxurious and inventive ensembles that dazzle the eye and revive the best-kept secrets of traditional Indian craftsmanship on modern-day runways.
Born and raised in the cosmopolitan city of New Delhi, this gifted Indian fashion designer understood her creative calling very early. At the age of five, she was naturally drawn to fabrics at her mother’s workplace, spending entire days studying textures while mixing and matching patterns. But accompanying her mother on jaunts to silk mills in Bangalore and block printing shops in Banaras was how this Delhi designer first began honing her creative instinct.
Flash forward to 15 years later, before fully completing her education in fashion design at SDPT and merchandising at NIFT, Parashar unveils her self-titled homegrown label, confessing, “The creative soul in me could not wait long to put my designs on the world map.”
Today, in India and across the world, Parashar is recognized for her signature style that encompasses a blend of modern silhouettes with ancient block printing techniques, giving rise to her revivalist reputation. “I draw inspiration from the craftsmanship and age-old techniques, which has kept the richness of Indian culture intact. To every stunning piece I create, it is inspired from the rich heritage we have.” With a deep-seeded connection to her Indian heritage, Parashar saturates every garment and accessory with the richness and luxuriousness of her culture. Though time-consuming and labour-intensive, her prevalent use of the block printing technique is worth every effort. For Parashar, it’s like creating “art on fabric” — each individually crafted wood block stamp evokes a timeless masterpiece.
So who wears Charu Parashar? “My designs are for the women of today. She is strong-willed, sexy and eternally romantic.” Parashar’s Autumn/Winter 09 collection draws inspiration from women of impact and generates new life for the Charu woman of today. The collection speaks to her signature style, using ancient Indian detailing and craftsmanship to add luxury and intrigue to the modern silhouette. It is a medley of block and fine-textile prints on a colour palette dominated by dark green, red, beige and brown earth tones. Her use of luxurious fabrics thrives with a sumptuous assortment of woolen silk, silk velour, satins, chiffons and birla. Whether long and flowing or short and flirty, full-length, form fitting or cropped, Parashar has something for every one of her sexy, strong-willed contemporary women. And as Parashar knows, no woman is complete without her silk-woven scarves, hats and turban headdresses for that extra pièce de résistance.
Appointed the New Generation Designer and Ambassador of Indian Fashion by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), this ambitious fashionista hopes to see Indian fashion evolve beyond bridal and festive wear internationally as “Indian fashion has not been able to make its presence felt in the international scene in spite of having the rich heritage and cultural treasures,” according to Parashar.
In between her regular attendance at Dubai Fashion Week and the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week, Parashar’s luxurious garments are no stranger to the runway. Her Utpala collection has shaken international catwalks in Manhattan, Philadelphia, Toronto, London, Jakarta and will visit Barcelona later this year to encourage Indian fashion worldwide. Continually expanding, the Charu Parashar label is currently available at high fashion boutiques in 54 stores throughout India, Canada, England, UAE, Singapore and Kuwait.
When not immersed in lavish Indian designs, Parashar is busy with other meaningful endeavours. In an effort to restore and revive traditional, but fading Indian techniques, Parashar collaborates with non-profit NGOs to conduct block printing training workshops for women. These efforts generate a two-fold effect, enabling female designers to embrace a part of their heritage and gain financial independence. Parashar is also taking an environmental stance working with a group called Aditya Birla to develop a green label and create international awareness of eco-fashion. Going one step further, Parashar is incorporating eco-friendly material into her own Fall/Winter ‘09 collection.
Not stopping there, this innovative, self-proclaimed Delhi girl is also putting her creative vision to work for a number of design projects for hotel suites and fine dining restaurants in India as well as her own line of home furnishings that will hit the market in September.
A revivalist, an ambassador for Indian fashion, a skills trade teacher, an environmental activist, an interior artist and a renowned fashion designer: Charu Parashar is a name that holds limitless potential.
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF RAHUL DUTTA PHOTOGRAPHY
......................................................................................................................................................................................................Vegan Cosmetics: Animal Awareness For Beauty Companies Is More Than Skin Deep
BY: RITIKA NANDKEOLYAR
Ever wonder what’s in your favourite lipstick? Jessica Martinez, a 22-year-old art student from Ottawa, can rattle off the ingredient list in hers, a pretty impressive feat considering most of them are in Latin. But Jessica doesn’t just have a thing for language and beauty. She also knows her makeup’s recipe because she is one of the growing number of women who puts her beauty dollars where her heart is and buys vegan cosmetics. Twenty-nine-year-old Tachelle Kirkpatrick is also conscious of what she buys. “I don’t want to ingest anything that’s made from animals,” says the federal government employee, “so why should I put it on my face?”
Vegan cosmetics are not just beauty aids that are not tested on animals, they are also products made without animal or animal byproduct ingredients. As an increasing number of women turn vegetarian or vegan, they choose alternatives for their beauty regimes. Even non-vegan consumers often search for animal-free alternatives, sometimes because they’re developing an increased awareness of the world around them and other times because they are looking for alternatives to deal with their skin sensitivities – some allergists say that common skin complaints such as dermatitis can be cured by switching to more natural products and avoiding chemicals and additives.
More and more companies, including some mainstream brands, are responding to the needs of women by making some beauty products within their lines completely vegan. Add Lush to that list, the purveyor of bath bombs, shampoos and lotions. Everything available in the retail outposts of this British-born beauty chain is vegetarian, and an increasing number of products are now vegan, identified with a "V." Lush also prides itself on being mostly natural, and its ingredient list, which include both English and Latin names, has a colour-coded system that singles out non-natural ingredients. The latter is a bonus for those worried about potential toxins because often vegan does not equal chemical or additive-free. A vegan and nearly all-natural bestseller is Lush’s Anti-Dandruff Snake Oil Scalp Massage Bar ($7.95 CDN). Highly fragrant, like most Lush products, the hair remedy contains fair trade cocoa butter, shea butter, alkanett extract, peppermint oil, lavender oil, tea tree oil, geraniol, limonene, linalool and perfume. Only the perfume is a chemical additive; the synthetic-sounding geraniol, limonene and linalool are all naturally found in essential oils.
The biggest name in purely vegan cosmetics is Urban Decay, a 13-year-old California company known for its goth and alternative shades. Fortunately, even conservative cosmetic wearers can find plenty of vegan colour options from the company, which are available at Sephora both in stores and online. Urban Decay even has synthetic-fiber makeup brushes (instead of animal bristles, which are commonly used in high-end brands) for blush and for powder.
Ecco Bella, a young line that has appeared in the pages of Elle and Shape, carries numerous vegan products including its best-selling eye shadows, primer potion and red lipstick. According to the company, Ecco Bella has a regulatory department that works directly with the vendors and their suppliers to obtain signed documentation ensuring all vegan products are compliant with vegan standards and are not tested on animals.
How can you tell if a product is vegan? If it’s not written on the product label, unfortunately, there’s no easy way to tell, and for most drug and department store brands, you’ll have to do some digging. While this may be a time-consuming process, it is relatively easy as most cosmetic companies are happy to send you an ingredient list for any of their products upon request.
 Don’t limit olive oil to your salads. This wonder-oil isn’t just good for your heart, it’s also good for your hair, skin and nails. If waiting for a cosmetic company to mail you an ingredient list sounds like too much work and too much time, making your own vegan beauty products is an easy and low-cost alternative. While some may relegate olive oil to the kitchen cabinets, for centuries women around the world have been using the product for beauty purposes. Here are some things to try: |
- Soak your nails in a small bowl of warm olive oil to make them more resilient and to soften your cuticles, so you can easily push them back. - Soften your hands by smoothing olive oil on them and covering them with cotton gloves before bed. This also works on feet and rough elbows. - Wear a dab of olive oil on your lips as a substitute for lip balm. - Gently wipe a small amount of olive oil over your eyes with a cotton ball for an instant makeup remover that takes off even mascara. - Rub olive oil through the ends of your hair and leave it in overnight for deep conditioning. Shampoo your hair in the morning if necessary. |
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Domestic Abuse: A Cultural Catastrophe?
BY: TAMARA BALUJA
"For 10 years, I was married to Deepak. Not one night of happiness. He used to beat me up. He used to have affairs with other women. Sometimes, sometimes, he used to rape me. For 10 years I lived a life of beatings and degradation. I came out of my husband’s jail and entered the jail of the law. It is here that I have found a kind of freedom.” – Provoked (2007)
These words are uttered by Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan in the film Provoked. The actress plays real-life domestic abuse victim Kiranjit Ahluwalia who was given a life sentence for murdering her abusive husband in 1989. She was ultimately freed by the British judicial system in the landmark case, Regina vs. Ahluwalia that redefined the word “provocation” in cases of battered women. She was reunited with her children and subsequently given an award by the wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair for her crusade against domestic violence.
Consider Ahluwalia’s words for a minute. Imagine how terrifying her life with her husband must have been for her to have considered jail as a place of freedom. Domestic violence is a tragedy that many women face, but as many South Asian women’s organizations have found, it is made even harder with the difficulty many people have in acknowledging its presence in the South Asian community.
First we must recognize the obvious: women’s rights are human rights. Like everyone else, women have the right to a safe home, a loving relationship and the freedom to make their own choices.
But there have been many cases of domestic violence in the South Asian community in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. Amandeep Kaur Dhillon was just 22 years old when she was stabbed to death by her father-in-law on New Year’s Day 2009. Dhillon was prevented from seeing her family, her friends and even going to the gurdwara to pray. The Brampton, Ontario woman was to be her Punjabi family’s ticket to a better life in Canada, but demands over dowry ensured that would never happen. Instead, her family had to desperately apply for emergency visas three years after her marriage to attend her funeral in Canada.
She worked at the Dhillon family grocery store with little private time for herself. Whenever she called home to India, someone always listened on the other line. Her aunt claims that conditions for Dhillon worsened after her mother-in-law moved in. The only joy in her life was her little boy, Manmohan, born on March 1, 2007. But even that happiness was stolen from her when he was sent to live with her mother-in-law in India.
Dhillon continued to sacrifice herself. Even after the wedding, she was told her immigration papers would be filed only if her parents gave them another 100,000 rupees or $2,500, which they did. The poor young woman saw no way out. She feared her baby would never be returned to her if she complained and knew the hopes of her own family rested on her beaten shoulders. In the end, time ran out for Dhillon that New Year’s Day. Her father-in-law, 47-year-old Kamikar Singh Dhillon has been charged with first degree murder in her slaying.
Thirty-seven-year-old Aasiya Hassan fared no better. Her murder is a crime rife with brutal irony: a woman decapitated by her estranged husband in the offices of the television network the couple founded with the hope of countering Muslim stereotypes. Muzzammil “Mo” Hassan, the founder and chief executive officer of Bridges TV, a Buffalo, New York based Islamic television Network, admitted to police that he had beheaded his wife after she had served him divorce papers. He was only charged with second-degree murder for this gruesome act.
Honour killings, dowries, misogyny and patriarchal families. What can we do and how can we prevent it from happening to our loved ones — our sisters, daughters, nieces, aunts and mothers? These are tragedies that begin at home with their husbands, fathers, brothers and uncles. Often, when the abused victim does reach out, she is quickly sent back to her husband’s family. The underlying assumption here is that she is beholden to her husband’s family and is better off with them than alone. But these cultural practices can often lead to catastrophes.
Such women often live under constant threat of sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape in their own homes and from men they know. In most South Asian societies, the responsibility of maintaining standards of sexual ‘purity’ and ‘honour’ are imposed upon women. Thus, it is often the victim and not the perpetrator who bears the burden of shame and guilt. Consequently, women are often hesitant to report the crime. Many women are afraid to complain. "Once you come out in society and complain about abuse, police and the neighbours see you differently. You're a victim, but they will victimize you more," says one survivor who does not wish to be named.
Dr. Amritpal Singh Arora conducted a study at the University of British Columbia in Canada examining the barriers surrounding domestic abuse among South Asian women. He approached various women’s agencies and gained their cooperation of 11 South Asian women between the ages of 24 and 54 who were either still in an abusive relationship or who had left. “Although the impact of domestic abuse on a woman’s health has been well documented, the impact on South Asian women has not been thoroughly investigated,” says Arora. "I wanted to find out what more family physicians can do to address this issue in our community.” He found that when victims of abuse approached their family physicians, the tendency was to swiftly prescribe medications without delving into the cause of their chronic complaints. When the participants did confide in their family physicians, the women were frustrated at divorce being presented as the only option. “We need to present realistic options to these women, like counselling and women’s networks who deal with such issues.”
One such organization that specifically helps South Asian women in need is Sakhi for South Asian Women, a community-based organization in the New York metropolitan area committed to ending violence against women of South Asian origin. They handle requests and arrange counseling for women who come to them for help. They also run national advocacy and research programs to expand awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence.
Over the past seven years, Sakhi’s call volume has more than tripled. In 2001, it received 201 new requests for support, compared to 731 requests in 2008. Purvi Shah, executive director of Sakhi says, “This data does not mean that the prevalence of domestic violence is increasing. Rather, it shows that people are realizing that they do have options when it comes to domestic violence, and thus, accessing information and seeking support. In fact, we know Sakhi’s community-based approach has been successful because we have noticed a marked trend of more men reaching out not only for information for themselves but also to marshal resources for women in their lives including sisters, nieces and aunts.”
The most important step in combating domestic violence is recognizing that violence is not acceptable, irrespective of religion or cultural expectations. “Many of the women at first blamed themselves. They felt that they were somehow at fault for provoking abusive responses by their partners. As the abuse continued however, most of them realized that they were not to blame and that they did not deserve to suffer. This realization was important as it allowed them to begin to take action,” says Dr. Arora.
Even though leaving their partner may eventually be the answer, it may take time for a woman to come to this realization. Women in abusive relationships need to feel that they can survive on their own. Many want to try to work on their relationship and resolve the issues. A man who is physically or emotionally abusive may be willing to find ways to change his abusive behaviour. Amandeep Kaur, who is a survivor of domestic abuse and now works as a Manager at Punjabi Community Health Services in Brampton says, “We have to take a holistic approach. If the woman cannot leave her abusive home, then we need to find an alternative plan for her.” Kaur goes on to add that in such cases, the PCHS encourages the whole family to come to the gurdwara for services such as senior and youth programs where the abusive partner is not directly confronted. Rather, the focus of these services is to explicate the negative influence of domestic violence on children and how it damages their personal growth. “This method has been quite successful because then the whole family is involved,” says Kaur. “It’s never too late to seek help, and it’s only the woman in the situation who says when it’s time to call in the police. That happens when her safety and the safety of her children is on the line.”
There is a growing demand for resources to support the victims of domestic violence and Shah believes this is a huge step for the South Asian community as a whole. Twenty years ago, it was a challenge for the community to even acknowledge that domestic violence was an issue in the community. What’s more, 8 per cent of Sakhi’s new requests in 2006 came from men compared to nearly 13 per cent last year. “This is truly amazing. Given that Sakhi is working for a day when we no longer need to exist because there is no violence, to see men seeking help to make a difference in their families is a positive step towards our community working together to end violence,” says Shah. “And this makes the point clearly that domestic violence is not a women’s issue, but a community issue.”
RESOURCES FOR WOMEN IN NEED:
Mississauga: Punjabi Community Health
Services, www.pchealthcentre.com
Toronto: South Asian Women’s Centre
www.sawc.org
New York City: Sakhi for South Asian Women,
www.sakhi.org
London: Southall Black Sisters
www.southallblacksisters.org.uk
SOME STATISTICS:
Around the world, at least 1 in 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime.
Researchers Anita Raj and Jay Silverman discovered that more than 40 per cent of the 160 South Asian women living in Greater Boston they surveyed indicated that they were victims of intimate partner violence, and only 50 per cent of women who experienced intimate partner violence were aware of services available to help. – sakhi.org
On average, more than 3 women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the US every day.
An estimated 250,000 Canadian women per year are physically or sexually abused by their spouses or common-law partners. These figures present only a tip of the iceberg considering that only a fraction of all cases are ever reported.
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Raj Girn’s Open Chest Interview With Pussycat Dolls’ NICOLE SCHERZINGER
PHOTO BY GAVIN BOND
Nicole Scherzinger a.k.a. ‘Queen Doll’ of the hot burlesque all-girl band, the Pussycat Dolls, first came on to the North American scene in the girl pop band, Eden’s Crush. Little did she know that her fate was sealed when the band dismembered a short time later and an audition for the Pussycat Dolls’ lead singer came her way. Bagging the top honour, she stepped both feet into the ring and put all of her hard earned years of dance, vocal training and song writing to good use, catapulting herself and the Dolls into the world-wide arena with two super hit albums, PCD (2005) and Doll Domination (2008), and a string of consecutive top ten hits spanning the entire globe.
Her exotic looks, borne of her Filipino, Russian and Hawaiian heritage, as well as her svelte physique, dynamic voice and dominating presence, all contribute to her personal strength. In addition, Nicole’s outlook on life is indicative of her steadfast belief system borne from a strict Catholic upbringing. Like Queen Boadicea, Rani Jhansi and (in my opinion) ‘Queen’ Hilary Clinton before her, she has used her attributes to fight tooth and nail towards achieving her goals. MORE
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FREIDA PINTO Cast In Canadian Singer, Dal Hothi’s Newest Music Video
By Mishal Cazmi
One year ago, Dal Hothi cast aspiring model Freida Pinto in his music video, “I Promise You.” He did so without knowing that months later, she would skyrocket from indie-film darling to a much sought after actress in Hollywood. After all, Slumdog Millionaire was then just a small project by director Danny Boyle who similarly had no idea about the numerous Oscars that awaited him down the road.
DilVog aka Dal Hothi spent three months in Mumbai, India shooting his new music video "I Promise You” from his latest album, Indian Groove. He did not realize the leading lady of his video was also the leading lady of the film until he was told by one of his co-workers a few months later. Not that Hothi is complaining. Fans of Pinto scouring the web for Pinto-related information have also helped expose him to a wider audience. Check for instance the video for “I Promise You” on YouTube.com and you’ll find the numerous hits it has received. “Being associated with that movie in any way is a huge thrill, and the opportunities I think it'll open up down the road should be fantastic,” Hothi told his hometown newspaper, Surrey Now in February 2009. MORE
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I conjure up an image of a herd of aunties gathered at their next kitty party. While one Delhi-born 50-something boasts about her daughter being accepted into medical school, the other is not so tactfully flaunts her brand new daughter-in-law’s picture, bragging about her culinary abilities and her respectable family blood line. And then there’s that’s one auntie, her head bent and cheeks slightly red. When would be the best time for her to announce her daughter’s brand new career aspiration? “My daughter always wanted to be a veterinarian. But now she’s a porn star.” MORE
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TOP DESIGNERS Are Clamouring To Get Into Bangalore’s High End Shopping Mall
BY: PAULOMI PATEL
Bangalore’s recent tryst with luxury with the opening of a high-end shopping mall suggests that the South Indian metropolis is more than just the land of techies and geeks. As the world reels under recession, the global media is busy reporting closures, layoffs and brand-deaths. During such gloomy times, it almost feels insolent to discuss luxury. But then, we are referring to a high-end shopping destination that is standing strong, despite the depressing economic climate. Not just that, The Collection Mall—based in the city of Bangalore—is attracting more and more top-notch retail labels to open their doors in its premises, as the luxury market throughout the rest of the country begins to feel the effects of the global meltdown. MORE
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CHICAGO TRAVEL GUIDE: The City Of Social Culture - A Must See!
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF AJAY LAD
Chicago, Illinois is a city bustling, bursting and bubbling with life. With its nightlife, food and music, Chicago—a city of around 3 million—is large and diverse enough to appeal to just about everyone. A flight into Chicago will bring you to the O’Hare International Airport, said to be one of the busiest airports in the world and one of the best. From there you would find yourself at the northwest corner of the “Chicago Loop” aka downtown Chicago, nicknamed after the public transit that circles the area. Downtown Chicago consists of all the fundamentals: shopping, food, theatre and parties. MORE
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