BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender Express

September 2018: It’s year nine of BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender, and with a vision to take the festival experience to more cities than ever before,  it’s year 3 of BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender Express. 6 cities will host the Weekender Express experience over the course of 3 months, starting with Kolkata and moving on to Lucknow, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Mysore and Hyderabad.  

Featuring a versatile blend of artists and genres, the Express editions will give fans a taste of the BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender experience offering plenty to look forward to with fantastic acts from India and across the world, including Poets of the Fall, Switchfoot, The Raghu Dixit Project, Indian Ocean and Dualist Inquiry.

The main editions of BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender will be held in Meghalaya on 2-3 November  and in its hometown Pune from 7-9 December. Since its inception, BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender has featured over 540 artists from India and around the world, across a variety of genres, to over 500,000 fans. The festival has evolved to become one of the country's most beloved musical weekends as thousands of fans and discerning music lovers converge for an unforgettable experience. The tickets for Express Editions are now on sale on https://insider.in/go/bacardi-weekender-express

Details on the BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender Express editions are here:

KOLKATA		LUCKNOW	CHANDIGARH
Poets of the Fall Tiny Fingers Lakkhichhara Mahesh Raghunandan Date: Saturday, 3 November 2018 Venue: Nicco Park Plaza III	Switchfoot Pentagram aswekeepsearching Ape Echoes Date: Sunday, 4 November 2018 Venue: Nicco Park Plaza III	Parvaz Aswekeepsearching Ankur & The Ghalat Family Mali Samar Mehedi Date: Saturday, 17 November 2018 Venue: The Palms Golf Club & Resort	The Local Train When Chai Met Toast Saby Singh That Boy Roby Shubhank Sharma Date: Saturday, 24 November 2018 Venue: Bhullar Resort

JAIPUR	MYSORE	HYDERABAD
The Local Train Dualist Inquiry Aswekeepsearching Parvaz Dhruv Vishvanath Date: Saturday, 1 December 2018 Venue: Jaipur Exhibition & Convention Centre	Indian Ocean Lagori Ritviz Gurbax Mahesh Raghunandan Date: Saturday, 12 January 2019 Venue: Silent Shores Resort & Spa	The Raghu Dixit Project Anand Bhaskar Collective Dualist Inquiry Aswekeepsearching Cinema of Excess Date: Saturday, 19 January 2019 Venue: GMC Balayogi Stadium

Stay tuned to the BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender website for more information.

ABOUT ONLY MUCH LOUDER

Only Much Louder (OML) is a versatile and wide-ranging media and entertainment firm based in Mumbai which produces and promotes some of India's biggest entertainment properties, cutting-edge content and experiences for fans and consumers. With over a decade's experience in live events, artist management, digital and television properties, OML has been an integral part of the burgeoning music, comedy and alternative culture scene in the country. OML produces one of the country's most exciting live music properties -  BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender (described by The Guardian as "India's answer to Glastonbury"), a diverse comedy-centric festival - Stage42, and the flagship creative entrepreneurial gathering - The Coalition. It has promoted and presented tours in India for David Guetta, Enrique Iglesias, Norah Jones, Russell Peters, The Prodigy, Mumford & Sons, Lady Gaga, Eddie Izzard and a number of other artists. In the comedy space, OML has promoted and produced the Russell Peters Notorious World Tour 2013 in India, and AIB Knockout Roast and Royal Turds by All India Bakchod.

The artist management division of OML manages some of the biggest independent music and comedy acts in the country. OML works closely with brands to create unique properties and events. This includes shows like news comedy show On Air with AIB on Hotstar, YouTube Comedy Hunt and Laughter Games with YouTube, and MTV Sound Trippin',  to name a few.

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Akanksha Foundation for Music and Performing Arts

 A Dance Academy In Our Neighbourhood

Being a south-Indian, I was always drawn towards Bharatanatyam and nurtured a passion since my childhood. Due to several unforeseen circumstances, I could not pursue it during my years in Mumbai. Post my marriage, I moved to New Delhi around 12 years ago and became a resident of C.R.Park. And it is here that I met Nanditha Mazumdar, a well-known Bharatanatyam dancer and Guru.

Initially, I was not aware that she was a dancer. We became friends through our children who went to the same play school. But when she disclosed about her dance and the fact that she teaches too, I couldn’t resist myself. I jumped at the opportunity and joined her academy on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashmi Here was a chance for me to fulfill my passion and dream.

I have not regretted my decision even once. My Guru, Nanditha Mazumdar, has been an excellent teacher and a great person to know. She is very good with her disciples, teaching and guiding them beautifully and bringing out the best in each student of the academy. Even though I am the oldest in the academy in terms of age, yet I feel like one of the other younger students. We are like a large family where all the students interact closely with each other and join hands for all celebrations, especially when we have birthdays.

The Academy is 8 years old in this neighbourhood and has a friendly atmosphere. I feel fortunate and blessed to be a student of Guru Nanditha Mazumdar, and so does every student of the academy. My daughter too is now a disciple of this lovely Guru.

With such a good dance academy in the neighbourhood, I feel it is my duty to write and make the residents of C.R.Park and the neighbouring areas aware about it.

Mrs.Usha Devendranath
#88004 43770
ushanat@rediffmail.com

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Living With Diabetes

Living with diabetes does not mean living in deprivation.... it just means living with caution....

DIABETES...the dreaded word... has become almost a common household name nowadays.  The numbers of diabetics are dramatically increasing in our society. Always be on a look out for the following symptoms...

Frequent urination,increased thirst, increased hunger, weight loss,delayed healing of wounds, pain in calves, burning feet, tiredness, itching especially in the genital area ,numbness , blurred vision etc. are some initial symptoms to be noticed.

Lifestyle disease as it is called, so it needs changes in the lifestyle of the diabetic patient ...patient ...ahhhh....no .... the person isn't a patient until he/she thinks so .. In fact diabetes can easily be managed and the person can live a long and healthy life if he wants to.

Some easy and quick lifestyle changes advised to such people are as follows-

1)DO SOME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DAILY-
Two and half hours of moderate intensity physical activity or one and half hours of intense exercise per week is to be done . These can include brisk walking , cycling, jogging , swimming, skipping , any outdoor games etc.

2)MANAGE YOUR STRESS LEVELS-
Be mindful of your stress. Constant stress can elevate your blood sugar levels. Stress management techniques like meditation , yoga , reiki etc should be religiously followed.

If stress levels are reduced to a certain degree then there are less chances of developing diabetes related complications such as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety etc.

3)CATCH UP WITH YOUR ZZZZZZZ-
Sleep deprivation tends to increase blood sugar level. So it is advised to have a sound sleep at least for eight hours in a day.

4)LOOSE THAT EXTRA WEIGHT-
Shed those extra kilos off your body and lo and behold your diabetes will be checked . Join an aerobic class or a zumba group or else dance madly and alone for sometime on a rocking music in the confines of your room.

5)HYDRATE YOURSELF- 
Just quenching your thirst is not enough. You have to stay well hydrated and drink plenty of water and other fluids. Remaining dehydrated is harmful for your kidneys and increases your risk of nerve damage. 

6) FOOD & DRINK-
A big no to ‘Drinks’… And ‘Food’ should be in moderation.... chosen wisely will help you wade off diabetes. Prepare a diet chart for a week and try to stick to it. Simple carbohydrates are not good for you, so stay away from them .Try to have low glycemic index foods with a GI of 55 or less. You can have beans and legumes like chickpeas, kidney-beans, green moong etc to your fill. Use whole grains to make your roti and brown rice is always a better option than its white brethren. Steel cut oats, dalia, ragi are good for you. The market is flooded with low GI Indian veggies like leafy greens, eggplant, cauliflower, drumsticks, cucumber, various gourds, broccoli etc. Also regularly have nuts like almonds, walnut etc. but soak it overnight before consuming them. Some fruits can be had but in moderation. Apples, guavas, oranges are good but grapes , bananas, chikoos, mangoes  etc have much sugar in them. 

7) A FEW GRANNY'S TIPS-
*A teaspoon of cinnamon powder with warm water on an empty stomach
*A teaspoon of fenugreek seed powder in the morning 
*A green cup of the tasty karela juice will certainly help you
*Indrajau is also helpful to cure diabetes 

By Dr Suranjana Ghosh (drsuranjanaghosh@gmail.com)

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Let Us Awaken To A Cleaner Environment And Pledge To Reduce Reuse & Recycle

I often indulge in daydreaming to visualize India to be a pollution free clean country. Then I question to myself, is it possible or is it just a mere fantasy? We all are aware of the benefits of keeping our environment clean, but do we stretch ourselves a bit or try to find out ways to make it actually possible. 

Recently I was very much inspired and impressed by my neighbour Gunita Dewan who actually reuses non-biodegradable waste to make beautiful, attractive objects like pots, pen stand, card holder. She is reusing plastic waste to lessen the burden of pollution from the environment. 

Non-biodegradable waste is an environmental concern as it threatens to overwhelm landfills and produce disposal problems, unlike biodegradable waste such as food and other organic waste non-biodegradable waste remains stable indefinitely. It offers items like rubber, plastic, fibre-glass, metals. When Swatch Bharat Abhiyan was launched there was a sensational drive all over the country. Such movement should be strengthened more so that a clean India emerges. 

If we keenly observe we will find some trees on the main road that connect CR park with Kalkaji, plastic packets containing flowers are hung there. It is very important to find out alternative solutions instead of dirtying our motherland. Let us all interrogate ourself and question do we really want to live in an impure, infected, poisonous surrounding? The answer will be no! never. Then let us all strive to change our habit and make our motherland a more beautiful, habitable place to live and to ensure a bright future for our next generation.

By Sumita Hore (K 1/74, CR Park) EcoHabitat.Times@gmail.com

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C.R Park H-Block Plastic Clean-Up Drive

As part of our month-long plastic clean-up drive from South Delhi’s public parks, it was time to extend this initiative closer home. With the support of a few close friends and acquaintances, I created a Facebook event titled ‘C.R Park H-Block Clean Up’ on May 6, Sunday. Through the event, we mobilised a few Chittaranjan Park residents to take part in this community-led plastic clean-up initiative and drive home the point that keeping our neighbourhoods clean is not limited to only sweepers and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC). It was a call to action for C.R Park residents to take collective responsibility for their surroundings and environment.

Most importantly, the central idea behind the clean-up drive was to raise awareness about the hazard of single-use disposable plastics like straws, water bottles, cellophane bags, food packaging etc., which are used for only minutes before being discarded. Due to lack of viable recycling centres in Delhi, this waste then goes into our ever-increasing landfills, which poses serious health and environmental issues. The point of the clean-up drive was to inform and educate people about sustainable ‘alternatives’ to disposable plastic.

It was encouraging to see a 4-year-old and a 70-year-old participating in the drive together, setting an example for many to shed their inhibitions about picking trash. The biggest source of motivation was to hear some residents assure us of their participation next time around. Some also joined us along the way!

Although only a few participated in the event, it was a success right from the moment we decided to organise the clean-up. Going forward, we plan to hold such clean-ups on weekends so more residents can participate and educate others on the problems related to single-use disposable plastic.

Beat Plastic Pollution

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National Museum Delhi, Connecting Indian & World History

Invitation To A Special Walk-through  Of The Exhibition Led By Chitra Sarkar..

We have studied Indian History. We have studied World History. But how many times have we had a chance to connect the two, to discover how India was impacted by its contemporary world in the course of human evolution?

I’m just back from a preview of an amazing exhibition which opens on 5^th May at the National Museum in New Delhi. It is a collaborative effort between the British Museum and Mumbai’s CSVS Museum, featuring artifacts lent by museums all over the world.

The oldest object is a hand axe, discovered in 1863 near Chennai and could be one million years old. It comes from one of the first stone age sites discovered anywhere in the world. Next to it lie similar axes, found in Europe and Africa, which demonstrate the common history that all human beings share. All the axes have a similar shape. It is an important marker in the evolution of human thought itself.

Next come the fired pots discovered in the Northwest of India, Egypt, Turkey and Mesopotamia. In this exhibition we get a chance to compare them side by side. Urbanisation is explored next. The most famous object which represents the Harappan Civilization is the Dancing Girl. Now you can meet her contemporaries – a lady from Mesopotamia and a Pharoah from Egypt among others.

By now, you may feel immersed in many philosophical thoughts about the oneness of humankind…and there are still many more stories that will unfold before you. In addition to the displays there will be special programmes and curator walks. It is a collaborative effort between the various museums, to celebrate 70 years of our Independence. Do go see it for yourself.

A Editor’s Note : A walk through of this exhibition has been arranged for the readers of Habitat Times.

Please email us at ecohabitat.times@gmail.com your 'interest to attend' with name and mobile number for receiving your e-invite.

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Hello Summers...

Ahhhh summer !!!..what power you have …to make us suffer and like it …..

A permission slip to be lazy… it’s the summers … the most trying … yet the most entertaining and interesting season …it’s the summers …. the summers  which is approaching  at a galloping speed.. 

Although different people would sum up the summer season and its experiences in myriads of  different manners  for example its fun time, no school - holiday time for children , it’s a pain in the neck for mothers of such fun loving children. The sultry heat takes its toll on the office goers and people tend to fall sick with heat stroke, dehydration etc…but nonetheless everyone would agree that our body needs to be pampered the most in this season. … well..lets have a demo on how we should protect ourselves from the scorching  heat  of the Indian summers.

1)Hydrate yourself-

The most important thing to be done in summers is drink plenty of  liquids to replenish our body fluids. You can choose according to your wish but water is no doubt the best. Apart from water one can gorge on tender coconut water , fresh fruit juices like watermelon, orange etc, lassi (namken or sweet), buttermilk etc… these tend to hydrate the body as well as keep the stomach cool .Sattu ka ghol (a bihari speciality ) which is ground gram flour to be mixed with water , salt , lemon and spices is the biggest hit in the sultry summers for its soothing properties. But please… a big no to processed and packaged juices and a very big no to cold drinks although I do understand that cold drinks tend to catch our eyes only too much .

2)Skin care –

Our face is our identity and warrants a special care routine .During summers  it tends to become  sweaty and dark and oily depending upon the skin type. Face should be kept clean of dust and sweat. Lemon and tomato are good to keep face clean. Too much sun is bad for the skin as more melanin gets produced which often tans the skin . Use a good sun screen before going out into the sun and it must be applied 10 minutes before you step out in the sun. Exfoliate you skin at least once a week to keep away the dust , oil, grime that has accumulated in the skin . Aloe vera gel , curd , rose water etc. works wonders to cool  our skin during the summers .

But you need not fear the sun too much  because it helps to produce more serotonin which is a mood enhancer.

3)Maintain hygiene-

Taking bath twice a day would keep you fresh and help combat lethargy. Make sure you bathe after a swim to take off the chlorine from your body .Soaking  hands and feet in salt water also enhances blood circulation and thereafter apply a vitamin C rich cream.

4)Wear breatheable  clothes –

Light fabrics like cotton should be used more and more . It helps our skin to breathe. Tight and synthetic clothes can cause itching and produce rashes.

5)Eating habits-

With the mercury rising higher and higher we often feel totally drained out . The power packed foods to be eaten in summers to stabilize our energy levels are as follows:

Curd is a delicious coolant. It can be had in various forms.Coconut water, lime water , cucumber , watermelon, mint , green veggies should be included to combat the decreasing energy levels. Mangoes and lichis in limited amount is good for health.Onion provides protection against sunstroke.

Last but not the least you can have icecreams to combat the heat . To make it less sinful add some fresh fruits or dry fruits to the icecream so that you do not feel guilty after having it.

Happy summers …one and all….

by  Dr Suranjana Ghosh

EcoHabitat.times@gmail.com

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The Season Of Mangoes Is Here

We bring to you 2 easy recipes from 'Aromas Of My Kitchen' by Anuradha Haldar Mukherjee, a home cook par excellence ...

1. Mango Mastani

This is a pure Maharashtrian delight, known for its vibrant colour, creamy texture and its amazing taste. This is usually made with Alphonso mangoes which is summer’s bounty in Maharashtra. People travel all the way to Pune to taste this drink. The name Mastani is coined to remember Peshwa Baji Rao’s beautiful second wife, Mastani.


Serves 4

Ingredients

1. 4 good quality ripe alphonso mangoes
2. 250 ml of saffron infused milk
3. 100 ml of fresh cream
4. 4 scoops of good quality mango ice cream
5. Sugar to taste
6. Finely chopped dry fruits and tutti frutti

Procedure

• Peel the mangoes, chop them into chunks and put in the blender.
• Add milk and cream and blend well to get a creamy texture.
• Add mango ice-cream and sugar( if required).
• Blend well.
• Keep it in the fridge to cool for at least an hour.
• To serve, take tall glasses and put two scoops of mango ice-cream in the glass.
• Pour the blended mango over it and decorate with cut dry fruits.
• This is a drink but is usually eaten with a spoon.

2.

Eggless Mango Mousse

This was a request for an Eggless Easter recipe by one of my readers.

This dessert has only two ingredients and can be made in a jiffy. 

Makes 12 shot glasses

Ingredients

200 ml of whipping cream

200 ml of pureed alphonso mangoes

1 tsp of lemon juice

Few mint leaves and mango slices for garnish.

Procedure

• Beat the whipping cream with an electric  hand blender till it forms soft peaks. Keep it the fridge.
• Puree the mangoes after removing the skin and seed.
• Combine the cream and mango puree and mix gently with a spatula.
• Add lemon juice and mix gently .
• Spoon out the mix into your serving glasses.
• Allow them to sit in the fridge for at least six hours.
• Take out just before serving and garnish with sliced mangoes and mint leaves.
• I love the light and fluffy texture of this mousse and that’s why I did not add gelatin.
• You can add 4 tsps of icing sugar to the mango puree if you like it sweeter. I did not add it though.

For more recipes please visit https://aromasofmykitchen.wordpress.com/ 

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Shubho Nobo Barsho!

In the pre-dawn darkness, long before the sun was scheduled to rise – at 5:56 am – devotees had started gathering on the lawns of Chittaranjan Park Kali Mandir. Everyone stood in orderly lines facing east. It was Nabo Barsho – 15^th April, Bengali New Year’s Day. We were waiting to catch the first auspicious glimpse of the Sun God, the giver of Life and ruling deity of our oldest scripture, the Rig Veda. We held palm leaf bowls with rose petals, til and Ganga jal, which we would offer the God as soon as he made his appearance through the verdant tree tops that surround the temple. Since there remained a good half hour before sun rise, we listened to a rendition of Tagore’s “Aguner Parashmani”, about the light that touches  our vision and dispels the darkness. 

The Chief functionaries welcomed all devotees who numbered in the hundreds by now. A priest recited verses from the Rig Veda, in praise of that most ancient of worshiped beings – the Sun, who was about to appear before us in its everyday , glorious form. Is there anything more breath-taking than that first sight of the newly risen sun? We raised our flowers to him and prayed for a serene, peaceful and happy New Year.

At the end of the prayers, the palm-leaf bowls were collected for orderly disposal – the lawn remained pristine, except for the thousand or so devotees embracing each other with New Year greetings.

And the Bengali year 1425 had begun.

May it bring happiness, good health and peace to all our neighbours.

By Chitra Sarkar ,J Block CR Park, New Delhi

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