Kitty is good time-pass for women

By Sanjeev Shekhar

Ranchi-
In smaller cities, men are busy with their official assignments. But, what about women? Even they want to socialize and entertain themselves particularly in a place like Ranchi where means of amusement is limited. Kitty parties are essentially a good time pass and the best mode to interact with each other.

“It’s a platform for us to play games, involve in gossips and even exhibit the best clothes or jewellery,” stated Nisha, the member of the Harmu Housing Colony kitty here. In fact, there is a growing trend of kitty parties in this city for reasons galore. A random survey of the different colonies revealed that nearly 60 percent of them are having kitty group, wherein the women are even going out to have things in their own way.

One thing that was common everywhere that the women here generally prefer to enjoy kitty in the noon or afternoon, as they want to ensure that they are home before their hubbies make it from office.

Not only housewives, but working women too keenly join in on lovely afternoons for delicious snacks and lunch. Earlier, kitty parties used to be in-house affair, but nowadays ladies have started enjoying the freedom of not cooking at least once or twice a month.

“It’s a good outing and this way we get a chance to visit different restaurants in town and explore more and more food, places and people. Those women who hardly get a chance to move out of their homes enjoy kitties the most," says Ms Gunjan, an avid kitty member.
Kitty parties are something that makes men frown, as they see it a total wastage of time and energy. For women it’s a best time to drape in the nicest clothes that are locked in the cupboard for months together, devour delicious snacks, have a chit fund that fetch a handsome sum running in several thousands and even in lakhs depending on the amount contributed by each member once a year and go home.

Preparations for kitty are done beforehand. As Ms Anita Shekhar of Rashmirathi Ladies Club Kitty pointed out that, they announce theme and even organize games during their party. These games are interesting like blow the candle in a single minute, fill the bucket with water with the help of sponge, or open the locks etc. “The games are real fun and the teams playing it are fully engrossed to an extent that they forget to see their watch,” said Mrs Y.N.Singh, the chief coordinator of the kitty on Kanke Road.

To keep the kitty party well-organised, the ladies have rules. For example, any member who reaches late than the decided time, must cough-up Rs 10-25 as fine. Also, the menu for lunch is pre-determined. “It might sound strange, but rules are important, even at a kitty party. If we don’t maintain discipline, people will just walk in at their own sweet time & will. That defeats the whole purpose,” says Ms Shikha, a member.

Another young member, Namita says, "At least now, we can have a life that we can call our own apart from family". She describes her kitty group as one where there is "lots of eating and lots of chatting". The chatting is light-hearted, with no heavy duty stuff. " It could be anything else... shopping, movies or recipes, but there's generally no serious talk," she adds.
At times a dress code is decided by the lady who organizes the kitty party and all members have to dress up and join the party. "Women from different backgrounds and age groups who meet every month for their kitty party learn so much from each other regarding socializing, etiquettes, culture etc," said Mrs Anita Mishra.

Sanjeev Shekhar

PR/Media Consultant/Journalist

Raavan impact on child mind

By Sanjeev Shekhar

Ranchi-

Recently when the Press asked the legendary hero Amitabh Bachchan that whom shall he blame for the debacle of Raavan? He sportingly said that he would ask Sidharth Basu to put that question in the KBC-4. Mr. Bachchan was addressing the media persons during the launch of KBC-4 at Mumbai.

Raavan, the much-hyped movie, has Abhishek Bachchan playing a powerful title role. I haven’t seen the film but certainly I saw the promo in the television. To my mind, Abhishek had different make-up portraying some villager or tribal may be.

But his expressions in the promo was apparently horrifying. It was not I, who used to feel it but even my daughter who is hardly two and half year old used to feel the same. She used to jump in my lap initially on seeing Abhishek in the horrifying make-up and hide her face.

It hardly took us time to understand that she is petrified whenever the promo was shown in the TV. Gradually, she started fearing the sight of Abhishek Bachchan, who is otherwise handsome and one of the most sought after star for the movie-makers.

The other day when I was driving in the city with my family, my daughter suddenly started shouting, “Papa, gana bandh karo” (please stop the music). I could not understand till my wife intervened and said the music of Raavan is being played in FM and she is fearing that Raavan might appear. I eventually switched off the music for some time.

Either the TV was put off or the music was turned off at my place on daily basis these days whenever the Raavan promo comes or the music is played. My wife used to frighten her by saying “if you don’t have food, Raavan aa jayega (Raavan will come)”, or “if you don’t sleep, Raavan ko bula denge (will call Raavan).”

It became a tool for my wife to make her eat, sleep or prevent her daughter of any mischievous act. However, I was not liking whatever was happening. The reason is simple my wife and I am a great fan of Amitabh Bachchan and his family. Abhishek Bachchan is an actor who has proved his mettle in the industry. His sight not liked by my daughter was difficult to swallow by us.

I’m helpless. I don’t know how to convince the innocuous brain that Abhishek has only played the role and is not the same in the real life. It was an argument that was beyond the understanding of my daughter.

The love and affection for the Bachchan family perhaps does not allow our conscience to see or hear anything bad about them. We used to pity as why it’s happening with our daughter that she is not enjoying Abhishek.

On the other hand, she enjoys seeing Aamir Khan and Harman Joshi as she loves 3-idiot. The sight of Kareena Kapoor is being loved and adored to the brim. She recognizes Aamir as “doobi-doobi uncle” and Kareena as “doobi-doobi auntie”. She calls Harman as Raju and gets excited on seeing the movie. She has watched it once in the movie hall and I don’t know how many times on the DVD? She remembers the song “doobi-doobi” and simply shakes her hips as like Aamir and Kareena to copy their dancing style.

I still do not know what she understands at this stage and what her young developing brain is observing or thinking. It’s a matter of study or research of child psychology?

Sanjeev Shekhar

(PR, Journalist)

Anemia hits Jharkhand

Sanjeev Shekhar

With nearly 73 percent of the girls & 68 percent of boys in Jharkhand suffering from anemia, the UNICEF is extending its support to the Human Resource Department (HRD) of the state government to effectively implement Iron Deficiency Programme (IDP) here.

Giving this information during the sidelines of the national conference of the Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine, the nationally acclaimed specialist in anemia Dr. P.V.Kotecha pointed out that this state has largest number of anemic patients among the adolescent. Dr. Kotecha and UNICEF Programme officer Deepika Mehrish Sharma made the presentation on pilot project of providing iron tablet once a week instead of everyday.

“The thrust of the conference was pertaining to youth friendly health services. The IDP has been executed in Jharkhand and the “modus operandi” is simple. The HRD department with the help of UNICEF distribute iron tablet among the girls students in schools once a week. On evaluation of this programme, it has come to our knowledge that the number of anemic patients and severity of anemia has declined to a great extent,” the Delhi based specialist Dr. Kotecha & Deepika said.

The National Health Family Survey-3 revealed that Jharkhand has got highest percentage of anemic patients and the programme of IDP has been executed in five districts of the state. Doctors at the convergence meet expressed their happiness over the result and strongly felt that there is a need to lay emphasis on public health.

The Director National Institute of Health & Family Welfare, Dr Devki Nandan stressed the need of introducing public health teaching in medical undergraduates. He said that the country is presently going through “epidemio logical transition,” thereby meaning that the numbers of communicable and non-communicable disease patients are increasing in the country posing challenge before the medical fraternity to develop better understanding of the public health.

“Infectious diseases like diarrhea, cholera, tuberculosis, malaria and non-communicable diseases like cancer, heart, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease & diabetes to name are a few are growing parallel and the medical practitioners need to devise and analyse ways to control the menace in the interest of humanity,” Dr. Nandan said.

According to him there is a need for on-the-job training to for medical practioners and health personnel for combating the newer issues and challenges that arise in day to day life.

Sanjeev Shekhar

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Mutton & Rice can defeat all management norms

By Sanjeev Shekhar

There are certain mode of operation in field that are outside management norms or ethics. For the top brass of SAIL, little bit of encouragement and pat on the shoulder coupled with a promise to treat everybody at the workshop with ‘rice and mutton’ if the machine becomes operational at the earliest following breakdown at the shop floor.

Such promises used to create wonders and normalcy was restored much in advance, stated A.S.Mathur, the executive director (in-charge) of Research & Development Centre of Iron and Steel (RDCIS), SAIL. Mathur held a sentimental point in high priority to get the work done from the colleagues & subordinates, and advocated that it’s pertinent to touch the heart of people. “If you touch the heart you get the results but at the same time it’s necessary to have trustful transparency,” said Mathur.

He was speaking at a function recently wherein there was an elitist conglomeration of the corporate leaders discussing on managing of human resources.

Mathur on his felicitation recalled his days when he was heading the cold rolling mill of the company. He said that whenever there was a breakdown, the managers used to give the time limit of nearly 5-6 hours to overcome the problem. “I used to go to the ground level technicians and ask them as to how much time will they take to make the machine functional. Even they used to set time on the higher side. At this, I used to give them little bit of allurement by saying, if you repair it at the earliest, I’ll treat you with mutton and rice. This used to make the work done before time,” he said.

“Next day we all used to enjoy mutton and rice praising the efforts of the staff members,” Mathur said leaving the gathering in guffaw. According to the top brass of the SAIL human should not be condemned. It’s the respect for individual and power to influence that takes the leaders ahead, Mathur believed.

Corporate leaders of public and private sectors have their own though pattern of achieving success. While competitiveness and enhancement of ability remains the fulcrum of accomplishment for all, a section of them believe that it could be possible due to transparency and trust on colleagues while others believed it’s possible only through integrity, honesty & management of human resources judiciously.

For senior Vice-President (works), Usha Martin, Rajesh Sharma it’s the hard work, passion & dream translated with vision that makes puts you at the higher pedestal. “It’s a random believe that whatever good has happened has happened on its own, whatever bad has happened has happened due to human mistake. This needs to be changed. If you can see bad, you should have the decency and appreciate the good as well,” Sharma said.

Revealing his own mantra of success, Sharma said that he never forget the three-Ts while working thereby meaning trust, teachings of seniors and transparency at the work place is necessary ingredients to achieve a goal.

However, the Executive Director (Safety), Centre for Engineering and Techinical (CET), SAIL, H.K.Jain considered the democratic process of doing the work in achieving the common goal. Recalling the days at Rourkela Steel plant he said that it’s pertinent to seek suggestions from all for enhancing the productivity and smooth functioning of the plant. “I used to seek suggestions from all employees in writing and the best of it were implemented in a phase-wise manner for the betterment of all,” he stated.

He agreed that management by values, transparency and clarity in decision making are the important tools in any organization but practically the involvement of all in democratic manner could bring wonders to the organization. He stressed the need of automation to keep pace with the developed nations.

The Executive Director of the Management Training Institute (MTI), SAIL, S.P.Patnaik, who is also the chairman of the National (HRD) Network, Ranchi chapter strongly felt that commitment to human development through education, training, research and sharing of experience helps each other to give their best to the society.

Sanjeev Shekhar

Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

Prevention is better than cure-say doctors

By Sanjeev Shekhar

With dipping mercury costing human lives in the state, well acclaimed medical practitioners have advised that precautionary and preventive measures should be the ‘mantra’ to combat cold wave. The doctors believe that elderly people and children are the worst affected in the given situation and thus should be protected by remaining indoors.

The sudden dip in temperature or excessive cold can cause human ailments ranging from brain hemorrhage or brain attack to heart attack and even viral infection commonly known as influenza. “Those suffering blood pressure or are borderline cases they are more prone to Infarc (i.e brainstroke or brain attack) and heart attack. Despite the fact they appear healthy but sudden change in the temperature might prove fatal for such patients,” said the neuro-surgeon Dr. Sanjay Kumar of Apollo Hospital.

Dr Sanjay has recently won accolades at the national forum for recognition of his outstanding contribution in up-liftment of Neuro-surgery facilities in poor states like Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa. He firmly held that instead of experimenting, which is common among elders it’s better to take precaution in order to remain safe. “Elders in the village-side take cold water bath in order to prove they are healthy. This is wrong because such type of experiments might prove danger to life. Also, they should avoid morning walk and wait for the sunrise before setting out,” he asserted.

However, the noted cardio-physician and top-notch specialist Dr. Rai Chandi Nath Sahay strongly believed that chances of getting chest infection including Pneumonia and fear of getting paralyses are much higher at this time. “My advice is to keep the face & ears well covered, keep the room temperature warm and always cover the head during such excessive cold,” said Dr. Sahay.

Diseases like influenza and hypothermia (sudden fall in body temperature) are likely to hit the patients badly. “If it’s raining outside during winter, one should avoid going out in any case,” informed Dr. Sahay.

Though the district administration has issued notice to change the school timing for the safety of kids, it’s also necessary that parents should take utmost care and keep them properly covered when they are going out. The doctors believe that kids should avoid going out early morning or late evening, as they are more prone to respiratory tract infection.

Two types of infection are commonly observed among the children. According to the noted pediatric of the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Dr Rajiv Kumar children are commonly affected with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) that causes high fever, vomiting and loose motion. “Broncho-pneumonia is very common among children and there is a rise in such cases during winter. Elders sneeze out the cough through nose but the children are unable to do so. Hence, the cough is driven through intestine during their defecation,” stated Dr. Rajiv.

He pointed out that there are certain side effects as there is connectivity of mouth with ears. “Generally children complain of ear pain and at times fluid flows from ear due to acute infection. This can only be avoided by covering them properly,” said the child specialist.

Five-point precautions to be taken during cold wave/winter-
For old people/elders
1. Keep the room temperature warm/use heater
2. Always cover yourself fully.Wear caps for covering head, hand-gloves and socks
3. Avoid as much as possible to set out when it’s raining during winter
4. Old people must avoid morning walk, must avoid exercise in the open & must take adequate rest
5. Regular check-up of blood pressure those suffering from the disease
For children/kids-
1. Must avoid going out early morning and late evening
2. Must cover fully particularly head and ears
3. Should not take cold water bath
4. Should not drink cold water, avoid fruits and curd (dahi)
5. Always give warm milk and warm food to children

Warm Regards---Sanjeev Shekhar (Journalist & Media Consultant)

Barbecue-partying time in December

By Sanjeev Shekhar
Amid state assembly elections hullabaloo coupled with chilling cold that has lashed the state capital of Jharkhand, denizens here are already celebrating party and get-together, much-much away from such interventions in their personal life. Simultaneously, they do not forget to discuss politics after gulping few pegs with their favourite chicken leg, chicken chest or pompret fish cooked on the grill of barbecue.
Yes, the Barbecue culture is in to beat the cold of Ranchi. The barbecue culture or idea of hosting parties in the open during the chilling winter with charcoal heater by the side has gradually pervaded the elite section of society in this state capital of Jharkhand. Such parties and get together are on the rise and the changing trend is a healthy sign of adoption of variety of food habits among the people residing here, said Rakesh Kumar, proprietor and owner of the guesthouse at Doranda.“In fact with onset of December, such parties witness increase in the number of the get-together of officials, office-party or ladies get-together”, informs Rakesh. Ranchi is colder and the people here love to drape themselves in their best of outfit to suit their requirement. “The season demands consumption of non-vegetarian like chicken and mutton to beat the cold,” he justifies adding a few pegs of hot drinks only adds flavor to the partying spirit & merriment.
A defence officer of the Colonel rank is fond of partying; particularly the barbecue preparation in which he takes pride in managing solely the entire affair from hosting to serving. He loves select gathering at his sprawling lawn with marigolds and Lillis surrounding the entire space spotted with lights that enlivens the heart of every individual present there to enjoy the party. “The exciting thing about the classic garden barbecue is that they can be as simple or as complicated as you wish to make them. A barbecue for two with a couple of bottles of your favourite drink, on the terrace or in the garden can be an enjoyable and relaxing time while you sit back & relax talking to your friends and enjoying your Barbecue food,” said the Colonel, a teetotaler.
Colonel marinates the chicken and paneer in ginger-garlic paste with perfect mixing of salt for nearly one-two hours. He does everything in advance so that he can act a perfect host on such occasion of get-together. “Colonel Sahaab is a perfect host and a cook. The chicken cooked by him on the grill is rare of its type and is mouth-watering delicacy that tickles the taste buds with green ‘chutney’ personally prepared by him,” claims his colleague.
The charcoal beneath the grill provides heat soothing to those who sits around to enjoy the food.Chill at the grill every winter apparently seems to be the punch-line of Chadrashekhar, the chief-engineer with the shipping company. He is adventurous, innovative & full of energy to prepare variety of food, out of which barbecue is one of them. He loves food and has a strong penchant for cooking. Chandrashekhar has his own thought pattern of celebrating barbecue. He reveals, “A variety of food and drink should be available to suit your guests tastes, and do use unbreakable plates and glasses, if you don't want any injuries that would end up spoiling your garden barbecue.”He suggests safety and hygiene should be the main priorities, and as tempting as it may be to cut corners. “Sensible precautions to ensure you and your guests safety are the best way to enjoy barbecue,” he justifies.
The increasing number of garden barbecue with decorations also includes brightly coloured banners, balloons, outdoor lighting and a selection of music, as does the army personnel. “Keep it varied so there is something for everyone,” an official in a party held.“You can liven up your barbecue party with a party game, a few decorations, balloons and banners. Adding a party theme is extremely popular, and adds to the fun and excitement for you and your guests. We have a great selection of party themes to choose from as well as a fantastic range of barbecue party costumes,” said a high-level official of the corporate house P. Ghosh.

Sanjeev Shekhar
Journalist/Media Consultant/PR

TATA STEEL CONTINUES TO BRING A ‘SMILE’ ON MANY MORE PINKYS

By Sanjeev Shekhar

Ranchi-
While the Indians celebrate the winner of Oscar of the noted documentary film ‘Smile Pinky’, I’m immediately reminded of the yeoman service of the corporate house, Tata Steel that has been successfully carrying out the ‘cleft lip’ operations for nearly a decade now.

The film nominated along with four others stood victorious in the short documentary category. Smile Pinky revolves around a six year old girl with a lip deformity living in Dabai village of Uttar Pradesh directed by the American director Megan Mylan. It won Oscar in Los Angeles.

Scores of social organizations as well as the corporate houses are carrying out the cleft lip operation for years together but the attention of the international media never came to an extent that could be recorded either in India or abroad. Even I, as a journalist, have personally covered the event organized by Tata Steel. The company stationed ‘hospital on wheels’ with the support of the Railways wherein the mobile train went from one place to another and successfully treated cleft lip operation of several boys and girls. The mobile hospital also conducted surgery of various diseases and the team of doctors from the Tata Main Hospital personally monitored such cases; thereby bringing about smiles in innumerable faces. Such developments should form the part of integral journalism practice.

The recent was the company’s endeavour with the Operation Smile Mission, a worldwide children’s medical charity conducted a camp at Tata Main Hospital in the last week of February. This was an effort by Tata Steel to bring smiles to faces of children born with facial deformities through cleft lip and palate operations. Tata Steel is the first corporate house to collaborate with this mission for a project of this nature.

The purpose of penning this on record is to make people aware about the noble task & give due recognition to such activity that is done for social upliftment and for the benefit of the society.

This was Operation Smile’s first international medical mission in Jamshedpur. Cleft lip operations were conducted in Jamshedpur from February 22 – February 27, 2009. The screening of patients had begun on February 19, 2009. After screening 240 cases in Jamshedpur, a total of 182 cleft lip operations were carried out at the camp from February 22 to February 27, 2009. On an average 25-30 cases were handled everyday in TMH and the patients were mainly children in the age group of 6 months to 15 years and a few adults.

The entire funding for this project has been done by Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. All the medication to patients during their stay in hospital has been taken care by the group. In addition to this, medicine packets with instruction in their local language have been given to patients when they were discharged from the hospital. Speech therapy also organised for the patents as a part of the mission. A follow up check up for these patients has been arranged in TMH on March 7, 2009.

This is the first time that Tata Steel has collaborated with Operation Smile Mission which started in India in 2002. Tata Steel had entered into a MoU with another international organisation called Smile Train in 2002 and along with Smile Train more than 3000 children have been operated till date. The MoU with Smile Train is valid till December 2009. In the year 2000 and 2001, Tata Steel was able to bring smiles to 63 cleft lip cases with the voluntary effort of Dr R Bharat (the then plastic surgeon of TMH who has recently retired from TMH) and the Indian Red Cross Society of Jamshedpur. Kudos to all such bodies for their inavluable service...

Sanjeev Shekhar
Media Consultant/Journalist/PR