Health, Mind, Beauty and Relations

While most photographers are drawn towards colour, for his current show, Jagdish Thackersey has chosen to convert his images in black and white. Titled Monochrome Moments, the collection features work spanning two decades capturing the travels of the artiste. Jagdish admits that he was inspired by ‘50’s Italian photographer Mario Giacomelli and used his technique of editing to reflect the stark black and white, with little room for grey. “For me, black and white, gives more depth and meaning to an image. The impact is far greater than colour. It’s also something different,” says the photographer who takes his camera with him whereever he goes. The images are taken in the Himalayas, Goa, and places as varied as Bali, Thailand and Austria.
A few of these works are printed on aluminum as well which is quite unusual. “I had an exhibition in Barcelona in 2009 where it was suggested that I print my photographs on aluminum. It acts as a more striking medium. I really liked the effect and so have done the same with a few works here,” says the artist who has avoided portraits but focused on landscapes and architecture this time around. From a pagoda on a cliff in Bali to a beach in California and the interiors of Fatehpur Sikri, he’s captured it all.
What has the artist planned next? “I’m not sure yet but would like to try my hand at street photography or maybe portraits,” he says.

Lucerne in Switzerland is known for its scenic mountains, beautiful architecture and of course the Lucerne Lake or the Swan Lake as it is called by many. Swans are known to be symbols of royalty and elegance. This is the very thought that inspired the makers at Carl F. Bucherer watches for their new Alacria Swan time piece. “As the name suggests, this is named after the swan that inspired them. It is a bird which is very elegant and classy. Just like
our watches,” says Sascha Moeri,CEO, Carl F. Bucherer.
The Alacria Swan is part of the Alacria collection which the founders say is intended to recall the family’s dream of having their own business. “It is a tribute to the family which has been creating time since 124 years now,” says Moeri. The collection aims at women who love to flaunt thier jewels in every way possible adds Moeri. All the watches in the collection are embedded with precious stones like rubies, sapphires not only in the dial, bracelets but also in the cases. Diamonds have always been a woman’s best friend, and Carl F. Bucherer has coupled this love with time, quite literally. “The Alacria Swan has 348 diamonds on the case, 137 diamonds on the dial, one diamond on the crown and 844 on the bracelet,” smiles Moeri. “It took us 22 months to design this collection and there are only very few pieces created,” says Moeri. Having been a part of the watch industry since 18 years, Moeri makes some careful observations. “Watches have become the new fashion statement, which has caused many fashion companies to launch their own watch collection too. This has also set many old brands ticking,” he says. “Few years ago, people wanted to buy huge bulky watches. But now they like sporting classier, detailed watches.” India has been a part of this change and Moeri says it is a very promising market. “Indians have a very good eye for growing trends and an interesting taste when it comes to colours. They also know how to appreciate products and believe in not compromising in quality – just like us.”
The swiss based watch company is owned by the Bucherer family with a rich heritage and who swear by their age old traditions. So how do they balance tradition and modern ideas? “That’s the most difficult part. On one hand we have our heritage , our roots and the experience all of us have and on the other we have the world which is progressing at such a fast rate. We try not to look for a balance between the two, because we believe that both of them are our pillars of success,” he says proudly. “They have to be in sync, walk together and only then can we fight the growing competition to stay at the top.”

Jewellery can be worn in many ways but it’s also important that you carry it with style and elegance. From funky cufflinks to phone accessories, experiment with your look with the right amount of bling!

Bag on!
Let it be your priced leather bag or your uber cool college rucksack, adding the right kind of accessory will only spruce up your personality. You can experiment with some glitter and clip on some studded jewellery pieces to the chains of your bag. These days adding a decorative brooch to your monotone-coloured bag is also in fashion and looks absolutely fab on lengthy messenger bags.
























Pet peeves
Want to shower your pooch with some love? The best way to gift an affectionate token of friendship to your canine is a customised doggy tag that can be proudly and jauntily flaunted at walks and potty breaks! In fact, World for All (WFA) Animal Care and Adoptions in association with a jewellery brand has come together to put up Mutt Mingle, an event where they will put up adoption stalls for stray pups and kittens. The jewellery brand will also showcase some quirky and personalised pet charms with their pet’s name stamped on it. These eccentric charms come with a special diamond polish and are offered in a wide variety of shapes and silhouettes that represent major breeds like German shepherd, Labrador, Pomeranian, Daschund boxer, Doberman and others.

Diamond calling?
No, we aren’t suggesting that you string a few diamonds to your phone (although there’s no stopping you!). After all, who doesn’t like a little bit of bling on their most treasured possession — their cellphone! You could tie a charm with some icy stones to your phone or even get customised jewellery pouches to keep your phone in.

Rising gold prices and the demand for everyday-wear jewellery has led to customers opt for light weight jewellery instead of heavy jewellery. “Nobody likes to wear anything heavy and clunky. Women now want to wear something that is light and easy to wear,” says Sapna Singhania, a jewellery designer and connoisseur.
With the cost of gold reaching new highs, these jewellery pieces which use less amount of gold but don’t lose their shine, are easily the perfect alternative. “Gold prices have gone up, but people still want to buy it. So they choose this option, where you have necklaces and earrings that weigh seven grams or one and a half grams but look like they are 18-40 gms,” says Amit Gulabani, director, Mangatram Jewellers, who have to their credit the world’s lightest necklace showcased at the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2012. “The necklace is designed in 18 k gold and is embellished with precious stones and it weighs just 3.5 grams,”he says proudly. While gold is the most sought after in light weight jewellery, precious stones like rubies and sapphires have also found their place in shelves. “Necklaces and earrings that have precious stones with a hint of gold, are loved by many. They look heavy but are infact very light in weight,” says Singhania
There are two types of light weight jewellery explains Kiran Dixit, marketing head, Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri jewellers, “Though generally women want simple designs, there are also others who want bulky traditional designs that weigh less. These pieces are easy to wear during weddings too.” He adds that mostly it is working women and young professionals who buy these pieces. “Light weight jewellery is easy to wear and also safe to be worn anytime and anywhere. They are modern designs which look good during a puja as well as an office meeting,” he says. “These pieces are trendy and are new age designs. They are easy to gift to!,”he adds. The Surprises collection launched by TBZ include light weight jewellery in gold, silver and also diamond. “While gold rules, other metals are in demand — anything that does not look bulky,” he adds.
The most alluring aspect about light weight jewellery pieces is their cost. “The making charges of these pieces are less as the labour involved and the metal used is reduced,” adds Dixit, “They are generally available in the range of `1000 to `60,000.”

Let us take a look at our lives. Let us say we live for 50-70 years. Of these, we spend about seven years eating and drinking, seven in the bathroom, and if we live in metros, about 15 years in traffic. Another 25 to 30 years are spent sleeping.
What does that leave us with? If you try calculating, you will find that we spend only about three to four years being happy and truly living life. The rest of the time is spent just preparing to live life. We spend our entire lives preparing to be happy and comfortable, but we are never happy.
Our whole lives were spent in earning money for the coming four generations, and in our lives, there was neither happiness nor any connection with God. Is this what life should be like? We save money and then we die, only to have our children start fighting over it. This is not life. How much fulfillment we have achieved in life is what we need to think about.
When we were children, whenever we experienced any suffering, we would go crying to our mothers or fathers. We knew they could take away our sorrows. Beyond this is the faith in divinity — there is a God, and we are very dear to it. If we trust in this fact, the work is done! Have confidence in God — that God is your very own, that He loves you, that He has created this whole world for you.
When will you express this feeling? After ten years of sadhana? At the end of life? Do it from today, from this very moment! What do you need to do to attain this? Go to the Ganges or perform tapasya (penance) in the Himalayas? No! Think of how much time it takes to form a connection with someone. It just happens. A connection is not time-dependent. To establish a link takes no time. If there are no feelings, then you do not feel the connectivity even if you are sitting next to the person. The same is true with God.
If you establish a connection with God and remember that He loves you, perfection, prosperity, power, devotion, liberation, peace, all will become available to you.
Visit www.artofliving.org.

Suhasini Parekh recoils in fear each time someone around her fails to sneeze into a handkerchief. “I had one of my worst experiences with common cold last year and it all started with a sneeze,” explains the 24-year-old resident of Borivli. “I was first treated for common cold. But within a few days, I developed chest congestion, whooping cough and wheezing. It was a viral infection.”
Although she recovered in two weeks, the symptoms have resurfaced every month since then. “Doctors blame my low immunity [against viral infections], but I have observed an increasing number of colleagues and relatives with similar symptoms.”
No more seasonal
Parekh’s fear of letting down her guard is justified. A sneeze is no longer regarded as a mere defence mechanism of the body. Doctors blame the rising number of cases of respiratory infections/diseases on the declining quality of air.
The latest environment status report of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation states that Borivli is one of the six areas in the city which have seen a sharp rise in the number of air pollutants, like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, suspended particulate matter and ammonia.
“The poor air quality is affecting everyone. Upper respiratory tract infections, which used to be seasonal, now crop up regularly throughout the year. Two out of every 10 Mumbaikars suffer from some form of a respiratory infection or disease,” says Dr Jalil Parker, renowned chest physician from the Lilavati Hospital. Upper respiratory infections include rhinitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, epiglottitis, otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear) and croup (a respiratory condition usually triggered by an acute viral infection).
Sinusitis — an infection caused by a pathogenic microorganism (virus, bacterium or fungus) growing within the sinus (the hollow, air-filled cavity that leads to the mouth) — has become the most common and fastest-growing upper respiratory infection, says Dr Asha Pherwani, a specialist in asthma and allergic treatment at PD Hinduja Hospital. “Sinusitis is a co-morbid condition for asthma and many people who suffer from sinusitis and allergic cold are now being diagnosed with asthma.”
She projects that there are over a million Mumbaikars in various stages of asthma today. “The number of people complaining of respiratory problems has been increasing every year. Earlier, we used to ask such patients if they had a history of allergies. But now, we first check whether they stay near a massive construction site. Interstitial lung diseases, which were earlier found only in factory workers who inhaled a lot of dust, are also becoming common.”
Conducive environs
The Association of Otolaryngologists of India says Mumbai alone has 1.5 million people suffering from chronic sinusitis. Till about five years ago, say doctors, only seven to eight people out of 100 upper respiratory infection cases suffered from sinusitis. Today, at least half of those with respiratory problems are diagnosed with sinusitis.
Patients with an upper respiratory infection cannot afford to treat it lightly since it may lead to a lower respiratory infection like bronchitis or pneumonia.
“Airborne infections thrive in Mumbai’s climatic conditions. The city is crowded and is very humid, which help bacteria and viruses grow. Also, people have a poor sense of hygiene, their lives are stressful and their immunity is low. This makes airborne infections resurface throughout the year,” explains Dr Om Shrivastav, infectious disease expert at Jaslok Hospital.
He warns that poor air quality can lead to the development of serious infections, which may even turn fatal. He adds that with the exception of tuberculosis, airborne infections influenzas A and B as well as swine flu pose the biggest threat to Mumbaikars. Statistics show that the mortality rates of influenzas A and B are 4% and 1%, respectively.
“Influenza, combined with upper respiratory infections, is getting more and common,” says Dr Pratit Samdhani, consulting physician at Jaslok Hospital and Breach Candy Hospital. He points fingers at the ‘mall culture’ in the city, which encourages people to gather around in big numbers in air-conditioned environments, which aid the spread of infections, for such a trend.
Dr Khusrav Bajan, consulting intensivist at PD Hinduja Hospital, agrees. “Infections spread in public places. Many people lack a basic sense of hygiene. Sneezing and coughing without a handkerchief or spitting on the road is still common. Ninety per cent of airborne infections are related to upper respiratory problems and they spread through such a conducive atmosphere. Quite a few people with an upper respiratory infection end up needing intensive care unit treatment if their condition is not addressed at its onset.”
Dr Parker says the frequency, the severity of cough and cold and the duration of an infection have gone up. “Now, even after completing an antibiotic course, along with cough syrups, symptoms persist for 10-15 days. Population explosion, migration, low immunity and associated illnesses like diabetes and hypertension has changed the dynamics of upper respiratory diseases, which used to be seen only at the beginning of winter and monsoon.”
Price to pay
Although cases of airborne diseases in Mumbai have been increasing through the year, not much research has been done to find their causes. Studies conducted abroad show that vehicular and industrial sectors are the main sources of air pollution. The problem of urban air pollution is nearing a crisis of sorts at many cities in developing countries.
Dr Vijay Yewale, convenor of an immunisation committee, says, “We are paying the price of urbanisation and industrialisation. Respiratory ailments recur when temperatures fluctuate and pollution levels soar. Almost 20-25% of patients who have been treated [for respiratory infections] come back with the same symptoms.”
Children, pregnant women, senior citizens, diabetics, those suffering from hypertension and ones who take immunosuppressants are more vulnerable to airborne infections. “A long-term exposure to air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and suspended particulate matter can cause reduced lung growth in children. The effects are more pronounced in areas with higher air pollution. “Most of the children have hypersensitive airways. This makes them prone to developing a respiratory ailment,” warns Dr Yewale.
The good news is that people with even the mildest of symptoms of flu have now begun to come forward to get themselves tested, thanks to awareness created following endemic diseases, like the swine flu outbreak in the city in 2009, says Dr Bajan.