Down Memory Lane with Priyanka Chopra

Femina Ms. World 2000 and now a busy actress, Priyanka Chopra describes in her own words about her favourite destination, Maldives. See what this busy actress has to say to Aziz Haider.

If there is one image that the magical Maldivean Islands never fail to conjure, that is the water. Sprinkled across the equator, these islands are every one’s fantasy of an idyllic tropical retreat.
It was this wonderful land that played host to all the beauty contestants for Ms. World 2000 swimwear contest. I was one of the many who was participating. It was early stage of the competition and the thought that I may go on to win the crown itself had not dawned on me till then.
I think Maldives was the perfect choice for swimwear contest. The heavenly beauty of the place made us forget for a while why we had assembled there. I, for one, was so enchanted by the beauty of the place that the next few days that I spent there, I did nothing but enjoyed the fun…just fun.
Even today, I fail to forget those moments. I basked in the sun or lazed on the beach marveling the nature at its best. I watched the capricious changes of mood in the ocean, secretive sapphire to clear aquamarine, with hidden hints of more blues that we’d ever imagined, even in a dream.
Besides the most vivid natural beauties that they present, various islands of Maldives also offer guests the luxuries of the best hotels in an eco-friendly, back-to-nature, ambience. At some places, hotel rooms or villas even have their own private stretch of beach, so you can dive or snorkel in warm, crystal-clear waters, or just lie back and contemplate nature’s wondrous world, as you please.
The gourmet meals too are an epicure’s delight, as delectable in appearance as in taste.
I relished the mouth-watering dishes a lot. Despite whatever the figure-conscious may say, I love to eat anything and everything that’s cooked well and looks good. Except Chinese!
The most unforgettable moment came when dark clouds suddenly covered up the entire island. As the clouds thundered, as lightning crisscrossed the darkened sky till it faded away in the horizons, and as rain lashed down heavily, I bathed in the rain. Several times in India, I have done the same under the cool monsoon showers. Here, it was simply irresistible. With coconut grooves on one side swaying to the breeze, the far-stretching ocean with gently undulating waves, cool breeze from the ocean caressing your body in the most sensuous manner, and soft silver sand under your feet, how could anybody resist this temptation?
I saw the brightest rainbow of my life at Maldives, each colour in the vibgyor glowing distinct and incandescent. I was so excited that I ran behind it, as if I could catch it, while it poised tantalizingly between blue sky and even bluer-ocean.
Even at night, I would sneak out of the hotel room despite the fact that it was forbidden to do so. Some other contestants who had become good friends too came along. We all shared the same view of life. We frolicked and did a lot of masti. I am sure God must have taken so much time making Maldives. It’s simply stunning.
We would go to the beach under the starlit night and gaze at the expanse of the night, listen to the musical murmur of the ocean and the romance that it ignited made me sing all those childhood songs that I would sing to nobody else. I consider myself a good singer. Even though I have not done much riyaz lately, I have sung in a South Indian movie and have recently got offers from Bollywood to sing as well. Due to this, some friends even call me the Jennifer Lopez of India.
But there at the Maldivean beaches, it required no cajoling or temptation. The vocal chords by themselves started meeting the rhythms of the sound that nature created and I sang the most passionate songs of my life.

Daring to be different: Mahesh Bhatt

If there is one man who can be expected to provide the most candid, uncensored views on any subject, it surely has to be Mahesh Bhatt. Aziz Haider spoke exclusively to this famous director-turned-producer, and found him more candid, more fearless and more philosophical than ever.

Even before you begin the conversation, he ‘demystifies’ his profession by comparing it as similar to that of a clown, snake-charmer and prostitute. “Because we are all in the business of entertainment,” says he.
It is such blatant views on the affairs governing our society that has endeared Mahesh Bhatt to many, while at the same time making few his most ardent critics.
“I do not have false views which people hold on to, for their entire life. They are living in a fool’s paradise.”
“I discovered during my childhood how harsh this life could be. The values that are taught in school do not operate in real life. When I say it openly, they call me a shocker.”
Truth is that he minces no words to push forth his view. Not used to such candid, or you may say blatant views on the harsh realities of life, a section of society see him as a shocker. Shocker he definitely is in that aspect but as this correspondent found out after spending several hours with him, his views are based on his own experiences, good or bad. In contrast to most of us who prefer to remain silent on issues and affairs surrounding us, Mahesh Bhatt at least says what’s in his mind.
Otherwise known for making masala films with sex and glamour, Bhatt’s new venture is different because in the midst of all the entertainment, he ahs also incorporated a serious message on HIV/AIDS.
“People stay away from message-oriented films. So in Actress, we will give them oomph, glamour and stardust with a glimpse of the dark reality behind it all,” says Bhatt.
After last year’s Phir Milenge, Actress will be the second film dealing with the issue of HIV/AIDS. The screenplay is ready and the film is expected to release at the end of the year.
Even in his another film, Nazar, Bhatt has given a one-minute clip on HIV/AIDS right after the board of censorship certification. This is part of the film and appears after the censor certificate so that exhibitors can’t take it out even if they want to.
Critics of Bhatt, however, say that he does all this for remaining in limelight and selling his films. Organizations like UNICEF and NACO have joined hands with the government to form a communication consortium with the film and entertainment industry to incorporate the message of HIV/AIDS in popular media and Bhatt’s rediscovery of message-oriented films is an off-shoot of that.
After all, he still continues to favour depiction of smoking on screen and his films have always been pioneers in exploring new horizons for depiction of sex and glamour.
But such is Mahesh Bhatt! A shocker! Or a different man!

Secret of Karim’s Curries

Food at Karim’s is truly world-class! The restaurant chain has a presence in East Delhi through its Take Away outlet located at Sagar Complex on Vikas Marg. Aziz Haider decided to taste this food one more time and, needless to say, came back licking his fingers to file the story. Read on to know more about curries and the rest of food that this restaurant has to offer…

If only there was space to sit! This is the view of innumerable visitors to Karim’s Take Away joint at Sagar Complex, when they are unable to raise an accusing finger at the quality of food and the consequent licking that it inevitably leads to.
Started in 1913, Karim is today a chain of restaurants serving hot and spicy mughlai cuisine to gourmets coming from far and near. Though professionalism has caught on to the extent that there are several franchise outlets available, where it is possible to debate whether the quality remains the same, the East Delhi’s Take Away joint is directly run by the owners.
Says Alimuddin Ahmed of Dastarkhwan-e-Karim Pvt. Ltd., that runs the East Delhi outlet: “Ours is the fifth generation in business. Cooking The Royal Food is the hereditary profession of Karim’s, because wherever the Mughal’s went they took our ancestors along with them right from the times of Babur. The Mughlai food developed under the patronage of the Mughal Kings and Queens using the Indian spices became our hallmark when the Mughals made India their permanent homeland.”
No doubt that Karim’s food is a result of time-tested methods, perfected through several decades. Trick lies in the proportions and not just the ingredients. Even oil or fat is regulated and only put as per necessity. The comfortable level of chillies makes the food more relishing.
“The type of people who come to our restaurant and even care to pen down their views suggest the extent to which the food is relished. And a lot many inevitably returns, again and again, to give Karim a dedicated clientele that perhaps no other restaurant in Delhi can boast of.”
All that’s on offering is up for taste! You will find a distinct taste to every dish. Upon trying the food at Karim’s you would only marvel at the number of taste-buds that are present on your tongue and the level to which they get ignited. Be it the Yakhni soup and Baqar Khani, roti and the Sag Ghost or simply Nahari or Kofta of peppery ground lamb tenderly embracing a boiled egg – your tongue would relish them all. Also, there is a choice of roasted items, including chicken and paneer. Chicken tikka or rumali rotis served with kababs too are hot-selling items and so is Kheer in small earthen plates.
Food is such that Karim should put a warning for the vegetarians. Don’t accompany your non-vegetarian friend to the premises. Or else, just the colour and smell might tempt you into conversion. After all, Karim can easily be blamed for subverting a lot many vegetarians through its exquisite Mughal cuisine.

How prepared are we for another outbreak?

Delhi just witnessed the outbreak of Meningococcemia. In preceding years, it has a history of other communicable diseases like Dengue and Plague. With approaching monsoons and more than 30% population of Delhi living in less than 6% of area, Life Watch tried to explore East Delhi’s preparations against such diseases amidst claims and counter claims by the politicians belonging to two main rival parties.

Denizens of East Delhi were lucky that Meningococcemia did not strike here. Or else there were no vaccines available in sufficient quantity. As per our knowledge, there were several hospitals, which were not having the vaccine in sufficient quantity. According to Dr. M.C. Nath (Medical Superitendent) of Dr. Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan, 350 vaccines were received at the hospital, out of which 326 were used on their staff. If more patients had landed, where were the vaccines left to treat them?
It is true that the vaccine for meningitis – Nisseria Meningococcus – is scarce. It is also true that doctors and nurses are easy victims. Experts also state that the immune system produced by the intake of the vaccine to fight meningococcemia takes at least 10 days. But if a nurse dies of a disease that is already spreading as an epidemic, you can well imagine the fate of the common man.
Medication, in case of meningitis, cannot be given on clinical symptoms. As Dr. Ranjana Chhabra – Microbiologist at Deepak Memorial Hospital & Research Centre said: “General physicians give antibiotic in case of fever. This, in case of Meningitis, becomes fatal, as detection of Meningitis is difficult if the patient has consumed antibiotic for 3-4 days.” Should we not thank our stars that the disease did not spread much? Or else, our physicians prone to giving antibiotics at small pretexts would have ruined several a cases.”
The pivotal test to confirm meningitis is ‘Cerbero Spinal Fluid Test’. It was found by Life Watch that while some private hospitals were not having the facility for test, others like Shanti Mukund Hospital were charging Rs. 1000 for it. When it comes to Government Hospitals, while Dr. Hedgewar Arogya Sansthan was sending the samples to NICD for free testing, Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital chose to rely on pathology laboratories in the vicinity for reasons best known to them.
Moreover, in cases of Meningitis, sometimes breathing trouble starts. Commenting on the situation, Dr. Anil Mehra said, “If the patient requires ventilation, s/he must be shifted to ICU immediately. It is the duty of the hospital to provide better ventilation.” What we found to our surprise was that several hospitals didn’t even have proper ventilation and artificial respiratory systems. Deepak Memorial Hospital & Research Centre, for example, managed to spare only two beds and a doctor and nurse as its response to the outbreak.
Lessons to be learnt for future
Whether the system was efficient to face an outbreak of greater intensity is debatable. But if we cease to take lessons, we won’t find ourselves prepared.
This is the time when entire East Delhi is witnessing an upsurge in construction. Bridges are coming up, flyovers are being constructed, roads are being made and at places, long stretch of new roads are being laid, over nullahs and unauthorized constructions. With the coming of rains, this work is bound to stop. What would happen then? Won’t all the construction that is being carried for betterment become a greater nuisance than ever? Would it not be an invitation for mosquitoes to breed or water to log on? This is the time to take preventive measures. Are the authorities listening?

Box 1
Ramesh Pandit, MLC and Chairman, Health Committee, MCD on East Delhi’s preparations against monsoon.
Not a single case of meningitis was reported from East Delhi. Even then, we take precautions at the time of changing seasons. This is so because when weather changes, diseases show their face. Administration is fully geared up against Cholera. It puts a ban on sale of cut fruits and sugarcane juice. Chlorine tablets are distributed in all areas. Focus on cleanliness and better sanitation is maintained.
MCD distributes pamphlets and erect hoardings to make the people aware. Even electronic media is used for publicity. Hospitals are given special instructions not to show laxity and even mobile vans are put into service.
We have put in service an additional number of 14 rickshaws for the sake of maintaining cleanliness. 30 such rickshaws were already in operation. Dustbins have been put outside IP Extension societies and attempts are being made that no garbage remains standing.

Box 2
Dr. Harshvardhan, MLA and Ex-Minister – Health
The way this Government tackled Meningococcemia was not efficient. You have to have a super-dynamic approach. I still remember the period when plague hit Delhi in 1994. I was the health minister then. We did great publicity in creating awareness. A phone number was advertised and people with symptoms phoned on the number. Our system used to pick up the patient and take him to isolation area.
Today, basic problems like drainage, flooding of roads, problem of inadequate hospital beds/dispensaries, need to be tackled. Radical schemes should be taken up on immediate basis.
The way things are, as on today, I don’t think we are equipped with enough manpower, expertise, technical resources, etc. to fight an epidemic.