Similarity between Orissa & Cambodia

The tragic accident in ‘Water Festival of Cambodia on 22-11-2010 drew my attention to similarity of festivals in Orissa. We are accustomed to think only about Bali dvipa-that was only the capital of vast area called Shunda-dvipa in Ramayana (in shape of elephant trunk). Even now islands of Indonesia are called in 2 groups-greater and smaller Shunda. In fact the whole south east Asia has same tradition as in Orissa. Real name is Kambuja = Shankha in Sanskrit which is anglicized to Cambodia. That is one of weapons of Jagannatha and His dhama is called Shankha-kshetra. Its ruling group is called Khmer = Khamari of Orissa, coming from incarnation of Kurma in about 15800 BC as per Mahabharata, vana parva (230/8-10-Karttikeya calendar).

Water festival is on karttika Purnma-same as balijatra of Orissa. This too is a boat festival. Boat is originated from vahitra = Boita = Boat. Pchum Ben is same as Pitri-paksha of Orissa and all over India.

Khmer’s new year day is same as Chaitra shukla pratipada in Indian calendar.

Royal ploughing day and Ploughing the Holy Furrow (Late May) are same as Akshaya-tritiya of Orissa.

Persian film screened by IFTDA & Film Society

The well acclaimed Persian film PANAAH-Baroye Zinda Mondan (SHELTER-A Reason to Survive), was screened by IFTDA & Film Society on 5 March 2010 at Bhavan’s S P Jain Auditorium. The Chief guest was H.E. Mardan Ali Qasemi, Consul General of Afghanistan. He was accompanied by his family & colleagues. Mr. Chetan Mathur felicitated him with a bouquet of flowers. The film is Directed-edited by an Indian Director, Sundeep K Mohnot.The screening was well attended by the members of IFTDA & Film Society. Everybody applauded the film & its subject. The chief guest showered praises on the film, Bollywood, & wanted more people to come to Afghanistan for their film shooting as in the past for some famous movies like DHARMATAMA, KHUDA GAWAH, KABUL EXPRESS, etc. He appreciated the Director’s understanding of Afghan culture & the theme chosen which is very close to all its citizens. His words had an ever lasting impact on the audience which was spell bound during the film – “For you all it’s a story and a film but for us it’s reality. What has happened in reality was much more which cannot be depicted on the screen but we have experienced it”

SUN-TAN : How to take-off the Sun Tan.

“There are various ways and methods to avoid or take off the newly acquired and much envied SUN TAN.”

1. Apply pure sandalwood paste on face 10-15 minute before shower. Its soothing to the skin. You may add some drops of rose water for fragrance and coolong.
2. Kitchen idea is to apply some Besan (gram flour) and rose water on tanned area. Leave it till it dries. Wash with luke warm water.
3. Make a paste of papaya, cream and sugar. Apply this on tanned area and leave for 15 mins. Wash with luke warm water.
4. For darker tans, mix juices of tomato and cucumber and apply daily
5. Grate cucumber and strain the juice. Add some grated potatoes and spread evenly on face. Leave for some time and wash with luke warm water.
6. Mix sugar with lemon juice. Add little glycerin. Scrub on the affected area and apply in circulated motion. Wash with luke warm water.
7. The other and last best way is to use a sunscreen with spf15 to 35. Also nowadays waterproof lotions are available which should be used before swimming.

SILVER : Household methods for preserving silver

Silver items tend to have a blackish look after some time and thereby losing it's shine. Here are some simple tips to get the gleam back.

Tip 1 : Use toothpaste (white one) to clean the silver. Apply some on brush and scrub

the jewellery with it.

Tip 2 : Clean silver with mild soap. Pat dry with soft cloth. For more stubborn dirt,

use a silver cleaner that you can get at any silver jewellery store.

Tip 3 : Make sure the silver is not dumped together. It may get entangled. Keep every

piece separately in felt cloth or tissue.

Tip 4 : Don’t wear silver when doing your household chores. Chlorinated water can

take away all the luster.

Tip 5 : Clean your silver in vinegar to find it looking brand new.

Tip 6 : Don’t use any abrasive cloth or paper to wipe the jewellery. It can develop

scratches. Use earbuds.

Tip 7 : Body lotions, perfume and cosmetics can ruin the silver jewellery. Always

wear jewellery after you beautify yourself.

FLU : Simple home remedies as prevention tips

Flu spreads like wildfire. So what can you do to protect yourself? Stay calm and practice these simple home remedies as prevention tips :

Consume amla regularly. Amla is the highest source of vitamin C and is used to prevent many diseases. It is available in many forms like powder, juice, candy & churan (tablets). Make ginger & garlic a regular part of your diet. They are powerful antibiotics & antibacterials. Onions is also a good antiseptic. Meat can be disinfected by coating it with a paste of garlic and salt.

Clean the atmosphere of the house by burning NEEM, INCENSE (Lohbaan) & Camphor. Neem is a very powerful antiviral and antibiotic. Also use Alum in water. Bathing with neem-infused water was common in India before we got modern filtration & clean water.

Drink an infusuion of Tulsi water daily. Boil 25 leaves of Tulsi in 4 cups of water and let it cool. Adults can have half cup and give babies no more than 10 drops.

Half cup of cinnamon water in morning is a good antiviral drink. Boil an inch of cinnamon in 2 cups of water.

Eucalyptus oil prevents the nasal tract from harbouring dangerous viruses. Carry a few drops of it in your handkerchief. Also use eucalyptus oil during steam inhalation.

Black pepper in meals or a combo of black pepper, honey & ginger is a good antiviral.

Haldi (Turmeric) in meals and as a decoction is very effective in controlling viral infections.

Use the antibacterial soaps to cleanse your hands. Wash them often, at least 15 seconds and rinse with running water.

Apart from being a mood depressant, alcohol is an immune suppressant that can actually decrease your resistance to viral infections like swine flu. So stay away from alcoholic drinks so that your immune system may be strong.

Moderate exercise can support the immune system by increasing circulation and oxygenating the body. For example brisk walking for 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week will significantly perk up your immunity.

All these are preventive measures and apart from these you need to maintain a standard hygiene and a positive frame of mind.

FLU : Hype, Truth & Precautions.

Every year millions of people die of influenza in this world unnoticed and uncovered by our holy media. May be the virus has mutated a bit this time round. These are very small germs that might, under some circumstances, produce diseases. Mutation, in simple language, means that these viruses are like chameleons. They change their genetic make up sometimes very fast. This is our bane of controlling them. It only takes a few days for a virus to mutate and when it does that all our efforts to identify them drugs against the virus as also the vaccine lose their meaning. Mask will not protect healthy people against the disease in society. If one is attending to the infected, one needs to have the mask to avoid direct droplets from the patient falling into the nose or eyes etc. This virus does not float in the air all by itself for the mask to stop it. The virus is carried in small droplets from the patients' mucus secretions. Mask is a must for every patient to avoid spraying the droplets in his/her surroundings, especially if one is in a crowd or a closed aircraft cabin etc. Over crowding helps the virus to spread easily. Shaking hands is a deadly exercise in this setting. Door knobs, railings, utensils used by an infected person, kissing someone with the virus, close contact with infected people who are incubating the virus, table tops etc carry the virus even up to 48 long hours. Indian system of “Namaste” (greeting with hands folded, palms touching each other) is very healthy practice. Your best bet is to meticulously clean your hands with simple soap and water (not chemical detergent soaps) as frequently as is possible or, at least, before touching your nose, eyes and mouth. During travel or hospital visits one does well to carry a bottle of alcohol hand cleaners for use where soap and water are scarce. They are very effective. Plenty of rest, adequate sleep, nourishing but, simple foods like fruits and vegetables, not too much spoiled by over cooking and frying, avoiding cooked meat to the extent possible; plenty of water to keep the mucus membranes wet; regular non-strenuous exercise that boosts the immune system, avoiding smoking and alcohol, happy disposition with Yoga and adequate oxygenation of all the cells including those in the immune system by Praanaayaama should help to prevent this dread. Try to do proper Yoga under a professional teacher. Do not pay heed to rumours and baseless advices OR crowd talks.

Indian Director-Editor of persian film meets Afghanistan Consul General

I was invited by the Consul general for appreciation for my debut direction film PANAAH - Baroye Zinda Mondan which has been widely accepted by the Afghans worldwide. We did talk about Films, shooting probabilities in afghanistan and also exchanged anecdotes about our lives. He was very happy that I, an Indian, had made a film highlighting the plights of Afghans. The film can be seen online on www.sundeepmohnot.com or also on http://www.cultureunplugged.com/play/1155/Panaah-Baroye-Zinda-Mondan
Do check the photograph on Facebook on http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photo.php?pid=2178201&id=703343470&ref=nf

It was surely a great meeting. mr Asad Sikander, Producer of the film, is very happy with the meeting and hopes the meeting will lead to more bollywood films being shot in Afghanistan. He hopes to strengthen the ties between the two countries.