At 78, workaholic Prime Minister Manmohan Singh puts in 18-hour days

At 78, workaholic PM puts in 18-hour days

NEW DELHI: Invariably polite and punctilious, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's energy levels and intense concentration can give someone in his 20s a run for his money despite two heart surgeries. Disciplined and balanced in his lifestyle, 78-year-old Singh can keep punishing schedules, switching between reviewing Afghanistan and Pacific security with a visiting prime minister and meeting MPs with localized grievances.

Manmohan Singh increasingly works out of his 7 RCR office with its attached residence. He begins his day fairly early with a brisk morning walk on the lawns, a routine he is loath to miss out on. He is ready for work by around 7 am. Occasionally, breakfast is when Singh meets people – old associates like economist Jagdish Bhagwati for example -- he would like to toss an idea around with. This is also when he goes through newspapers.

The PM's appointments typically begin around 9 am when he meets senior staffers and at times receives high-level briefings on matters considered priority in terms of security or political significance. Unlike some of his predecessors, Singh does pay attention to detail and holds regular sectoral reviews instead of leaving matters to top PMO officials.

After his multiple coronary bypass in 2009, Manmohan Singh is more careful about having his meals on time and retires to his residential quarters for lunch around 1 pm. He is back at work at 2.30-3 pm in the afternoon.

Although not exactly a night bird, Manmohan Singh doesn't turn in early. His evenings are usually packed with engagements and there are callers seeking time at short notice like ministers requesting a few minutes after a Cabinet meeting. Singh usually does not refuse and minutes can stretch on a bit longer.

He works right through weekends, unfazed by political storms raging around him. A few months ago, on a Saturday when Delhi's rumour mills were busy speculating about his political future, an unperturbed PM calmly oversaw a meeting on green energy options.

While his ability to scan files and minutiae is legendary, aides insist he doesn't get bogged down in micro-management. He does not breathe down a ministry's neck, expecting ministers to get on with their day to day jobs, something that came across in his suggestion at his meeting with editors on Wednesday that he could not be a class monitor when it came to working with allies.

His focus is on goals and hurdles in the way. As on Friday, when he will take an overview of infrastructure sectors, the PM looks at major roadblocks and calls for solutions to break logjams. Despite seeming a bureaucratic exercise, these sessions keep officialdom on its toes as ministers and bureaucrats are aware that they face an accounting exercise with someone who is not intimidated by details and statistics.

Manmohan Singh's schedule requires him to regularly address academic, industry, government and constitutional bodies. He delivers a couple of speeches a week on an average. Government and party work at the Planning Commission, Congress core group meetings, official functions at Vigyan Bhawan, Cabinet meetings and other business like a meeting to commemorate his mentor P V Narasimha Rao this week are all part of work.

The afternoons often see meetings with chief ministers and senior officials and are 15-20 minute affairs and then there is file work to attend to. Singh often pens a "please examine" on representations that keeps officials busy. Despite the volume of work that awaits him every day, officials say he is a gracious boss ever ready to hand out a generous recommendation to those who have served him. He respects diligent officers and is faintly deprecating about pushy ones.

The PM's evenings stretch on longer than was the case in his first term, partly because of more frequent and prolonged crisis ranging from the Telangana protests to dealing with civil society agitators but also because he is keenly conscious of the need to keep the wheels of policy turning.

A family man, Singh does not step out much for social dos nor does he entertain. He does watch television – some party colleagues feel he can reduce the attention he pays to news channels – and wife Gursharan is not far from his side. Even when he travels long distances within India, his staff try to get him back to Delhi for the night.

Despite the cares of office with UPA's second term honeymoon ending abruptly due to corruption scandals, Singh is not going to give his rivals a walkover. Those who know the PM say he is not a quitter. His critics who forget this are fated to be reminded of their folly as aides point out that Singh can weather storms without losing his cool.

There is a flinty toughness in the way he turned tables on Opposition BJP in Parliament during the debate on a joint parliamentary committee on the 2G scam. The same grittiness is likely to be on display again next month when government tees off with a resurgent Opposition in Parliament.

Tips to reduce double chin

A double chin occurs when the musculus mylohyoideus - the muscle directly underneath the chin, slackens with age. This results in the impression of a second chin, which many people find unattractive and seek to eliminate. Certain vitamins, double chin exercises and neck massage can help treat a double chin.

Double chins tend to come with age but they are not inevitable and one can get rid of them without surgery. There are several reasons behind them - genetic tendency; lack of exercise and fat and fluid build-up.

Though aging and obesity are the two most common causes, double chin can also be genetic and that's the reason some people have double chin right from infancy.

To get rid of a double chin, boost your daily intake of vitamin E. Vitamin E is found naturally in many food sources such as dairy products, brown rice, legumes, nuts, beans, apples, soy beans, peanuts, and liver

Chew a sugar free gum as it moves the jaw constantly and helps you get rid of a double chin.

Massage your neck and double chin area, beginning at the throat and moving slowly upwards. Massage for several minutes every night before bed to reduce your double chin

If you are overweight, try losing weight by following a low-fat, low-carbohydrate diet and also exercise regularly. The more calories you burn, the less double chin you'll have.

Perform double chin exercises like neck rolls. Roll your neck in a clockwise, and then counter clockwise circular motion.

Move your neck forward and then rest your chin against your chest. Hold your neck in this position for at least five seconds. Move the neck as far back as possible, and hold for five seconds. Inhale when your head is upright and exhale when it is in the forward and back position

Move your neck to the side and try to touch your shoulder with your chin. Hold your chin in this position for at least five seconds and repeat on the other side. Repeat the entire exercise three times.

Jennifer Aniston’s fashion and beauty tips

Jen’s fashion and beauty tips

Jennifer Aniston feels “cranky” if she doesn’t drink enough water.

The 41-year-old actress believes the secret to good skin is staying hydrated and she feels an instant impact if she fails to consume enough liquid.

She said: “I don’t really have any beauty tips but drink a s**tload of water. I say, if anything, that’s the one thing I’ve noticed with my skin. If I stop drinking water, I dehydrate badly, and I get cranky. Water really works.”

Downing water isn’t her only obsession, the ‘Break-Up’ star is also fascinated with jeans and amidst she owns hundreds of pairs.

She added: “I have hundreds of pairs of jeans in my closet, it’s slightly embarrassing.

“Lately, I seem to be wearing a lot of Degaine denim. I like their slim boot-cut in the classic blue colour.”

Jennifer likes to match her jeans with a ‘lucky’ necklace which she wears most days.

She admitted: “A friend of mine gave me a gold necklace, which I like to call my ‘lucky’ necklace.

“It has a charm which blends good-luck symbols from all around the world. There’s an elephant on there, a horseshoe and an owl. It’s very special to me.” - Bang Showbiz

Drinking tea can check weight gain

Taking tea may prevent weight gain caused by junk food, according to a new study.

Researchers found regular consumption of tea also suppressed damaging changes in the blood linked to fatty foods that can lead to type-2 diabetes, reports Dailymail.

They said the research on mice could signal another set of health benefits from tea if they are confirmed in trials on humans.

In the study some mice were given a high fat diet and others a normal diet. Each of these two groups was then split into smaller groups and given water, black tea or green tea for 14 weeks.

Both types of tea suppressed body weight gain and the build-up of belly fat linked to a fatty diet.

But black tea, which is used in most ordinary cuppas, also counteracted the harmful effects on the blood normally associated with a high-fat diet.

These included increases in cholesterol, high blood glucose and insulin resistance - a precursor to type-2 diabetes where the body does not efficiently use the insulin it produces.

Rising obesity levels in Western countries have resulted in many more people having insulin resistance.

Taking tea has already been linked to lowering the risk of heart disease, cancer and Parkinson's disease. Other research shows drinking tea on a regular basis for ten or more years may improve bone density.

Anti-baldness drug affects men's sexual health

Some doctors have claimed that young men could be jeopardizing their sexual health by taking the world's best selling anti-baldness drug.

According to researchers, finasteride - sold in UK as Propecia - can cause serious side effects and that the drug's labelling is inadequate.

The prescription pill is extremely effective at stopping hair loss and in clinical trials nine out of 10 men didn't lose any more hair over a five year period.

Drugs' company Merck, which manufactures Propecia, claims on its website that less than 2pc of men could suffer sexual side effects, reports the BBC .

It mentions things like difficulty achieving an erection, but says the problems will go away for men who stop taking the drug.

There are doctors in Ireland and the US who claim that the drug's labelling is inadequate.

Merck said they continually monitor its safety and have recently changed the labelling after reports of sexual side effects continuing after people had stopped taking the drug.

They also claim those cases are extremely rare and could be caused by something other than Propecia itself.

Get rid of your belly fat!

Whether you have a major paunch or a tiny roundness and want to slim down, we have just the answers for you .

Looking for the simplest way to get rid of fat around your tummy? Go for this creative 20-minute fat-blasting workout and you'll begin to see a toned tummy in just three weeks. Do them four times a week, with a day of rest in between.

Work out
Your legs are your scissors: Lie on your back with arms by your sides, legs raised, and toes pointing toward the sky. Flatten your lower back, engaging lower tummy muscles.

Inhale while lowering your right leg, so your toes are in line with your nose. Exhale, switching your legs scissor-like, so your right leg lifts back up and your left comes down. (Don't touch the ground with your foot.) Do 3 sets of 8–10 reps.

Lie flat in front: Get on your knees and forearms with your elbows directly under your shoulders, fingers interlaced. Stretch your legs long, and come up on your toes into plank position. Exhale while twisting slightly to the left from your waist only. Inhale, returning to the starting position, then repeat on the opposite side. Do three sets of 10-12 reps.

A ball-game: Look up at the ceiling, lie down on a stability ball, and drape your abs and hips over it. Place your hands on the ground in front of you, and walk them out until the ball rolls beneath your shins; contract your lower abs and lift your hips slightly, then slowly lower them down. Do three sets of 10-12 reps.

Sleeping Buddha-pose: Lie on your left side with your legs straight and stacked on top of one another and your feet flexed. Rest your head on your straight left arm. Inhale while lifting both legs off the ground, then exhale while slowly lowering them until they're about 1 inch off the ground. Do 10-12 reps, then switch sides and repeat to complete 1 set; do three sets.

Major paunch: Do 3 sets of 15 bicycle crunches 2-3 times a week, plus 30-45 minutes' worth of run-walk intervals (2 minutes each) 4-5 times a week. You'll notice the result in 4 weeks.

Tiny roundness: Do 3 sets of 12-15 crunches on a stability ball 2-3 times a week to sculpt your tummy in 3 weeks.

Eat this
Major paunch: Cut or burn 500 calories and drink 2 cups of green tea daily, as green tea alone helped exercisers drop ab fat in 12 weeks.

Tiny roundness: Eat snacks with belly-busting monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) daily: 23 almonds, 6 olives, or 2 squares dark chocolate. MUFAs can reduce ab fat in a month.

Fake it
Major paunch: Dress in a way that your belly fat is kept hidden. Go for lacy camisoles to pull in and shape your middle, plus give your chest a lift.

Tiny roundness: Get a belt that's at least 3 inches wide and made of a stiff material or leather. A belt that won't bend like a corset helps to hide your tummy.

Lara Dutta Fitness Tips

Learn to shape up with Lara Dutta

Actress Lara Dutta, who is launching her fitness DVD called ?Heal With Lara? gives you some valuable fitness tips.

Leather Clothing and Goods Cleaners

Natural Leather Cleaners

Leather clothing and goods are durable and valuable items that may be ruined when cleaned improperly. Use natural cleaners to clean this natural fabric. Do this at least twice a year to avoid excessive accumulation of dirt and stains. Many household formulas enable natural cleaning of leather without any use of dangerous or artificial chemicals.

Lemon Juice

 Juice from lemons works great for black or tan leather shoes. Do not use an excessive amount of the juice during cleaning and be sure to buff the shoe with a soft cloth right after cleaning.

Vinegar

 Vinegar helps remove water stains from leather. Rub the stained area with a cloth dipped in a solution of vinegar diluted with water. Keep in mind that vinegar may get rid of the stain but it doesn't smell very nice. You may want to add a fragrant oil or herb to the solution to disguise the odor.

Petroleum Jelly

 Leather may dry out and crack during cold or hot weather. A dab of petroleum jelly rubbed into leather will moisturize the material to keep this from happening. However, petroleum jelly may not be a good cleaner for baseball gloves, as it leaves a dirt/dust-catching residue. It also may create conditions that encourage the growth of harmful molds and mildew.

Banana Peels

 Leather shoes can be polished and buffed with the inside of a banana peel. Bear in mind, however, that banana oil will not work as an effective cleaner, though its fragrance may be a good deodorant.

Saddle Soap and Oil

Saddle soap is a mild soap with softening ingredients such as glycerin. It also contains beeswax, which protects leather. As its name implies, the soap is used to clean leather horse saddles. After rinsing off the saddle soap, clean the leather with saddle oil. One vendor ("Bee Natural") sells saddle oil that will kill fungi and bacteria that are harmful to horses such as Streptococcus equi.

Mink Oil

 Mink oil consists of the layer of subcutaneous fat minks have under their fur. It is good for softening and waterproofing top grain leather such as boots or shoes. The only drawback is that it carries a strong odor, so you may want to use a fragrant oil to mask the scent.

Coffee Intake - Too Much Dangerous

Reduce your coffee intake - too much caffeine can kill your nervous system. To keep you awake, try drinking hot water or juice. If caffeine is absolutely necessary as a wake-upper, try sipping slowly to lessen your consumption.

Stylish Hair Style Tips

Hide your bad hair days and twist your locks in an elegant bun for a stylish look,

The humble bun has undergone a makeover. From being a simple and effective way to beat the hot and humid weather, more and more women are finding a more stylish approach to the hairstyle. With Hollywood beauties like Salma Hayek, Sienna Miller, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Alba elegantly teaming the high bun with their red-carpet gowns and dresses, it’s no wonder then that most women are following suit.

The top knot lends itself equally beautifully to the Indian traditional ensemble. Knotting your hair up can help flaunt a sexy backless choli, enhance your cheekbones and facial features and give added height. Like most styles, this can be adapted to the occasion and the wearer, so whether you like yours right on top, tilted to the left or right side, with a plaited touch or the messy bun effect, there’s plenty you can experiment with.
Hairstylist Placid Braganza says the top knot is a classic comeback with a modern feel. “It’s more relaxed and loose than the traditional buns or chignons of the yesteryears. It looks almost accidental but still stylized and finished. It suits almost any woman with some attitude. In Hollywood, I think Angelina Jolie and Julia Roberts rock the look,” he adds. One quick and easy way to ape the look, is to hold all the strands together at the nape of your neck and then secure with a rubberband. Work many tiny sections from the ponytail and secure them with pins to create your desired look.

Women with long hair often complain that it looks very flat and hence this knotted look can add some body and bounce to the wearer, feels stylist Perry Patel. “It can give a very classy sleek look and is perfect for the evening. Since this updo requires the hair to be tied back it emphasizes the face and can make someone with a rounder face look more round. However, it also gives a much needed confidence boost,” he says.
Leaving your hair loose can become boring over a period of time as there is only so much you can do with it, says make-up and hair stylist Ruhee Bindra. Instead, she suggests tying it up to give a more formal and graceful look. “The high bun was very popular with actresses in the 80’s and now has made a stylish comeback. B-town babes like Deepika Padukone, Dia Mirza and Neha Dhupia who have well-defined jawlines can really carry it off well. It accentuates the facial features and makes the face look longer and slimmer,” she says. Ruhee feels the best way to do this look is by creating a messy unkempt bun. Those with straight hair, can use tongs to get the wavy effect.

Women with natural curls just need to use some mousse and scrunch, then lift strands together and secure them with a pretty diamonte clip or pin. With your hair secured back, this is the ideal time to play around with heavier make-up. “Go for eyeshadow in shades of gold, peacock green or purple and bright fuchsia pink or red lips,” adds Ruhee.

How can I increase my height?

Question :     MAY I KNOW TILL WHAT AGE DOES THE HEIGHT GROW?AND BY PERFORMING YOGA WILL THE HEIGHT INCREASE?PLS SUGGEST ME SOME HOME REMEDY ONLY...

Answer : Height grows till the age of 28 - 32 years. Practicing Tad Asan and Surya Namaskar is beneficial.

Priyanka Chopra has the Perfect Skin and Hair

Priyanka Chopra has the perfect skin and hair: Blossom Kochhar Interview

Blossom Kochhar is a pioneer in the field of aromatherapy for long. The lady has been a stalwart in promoting healthy lifestyle with her indigenous products, the beneficiaries of which include top-class national and international clientele. Mrs Kocchar turned her belief in the therapeutic properties of essential oils and natural fragrances into a lifestyle concept and industry with great success.
The beauty expert had a chit chat with Bikas Bhagat of Spicezee.com and gave some valuable information on the benefits of aromatherapy and tips to enhance beauty. Following are the excerpts:

Q: What inspires you to create natural products?

Blossom: Your skin inspires me to create natural products. Your skin is breathing…living and is a part of you. What you eat should have the property that it can be put on your face and whatever you put on your face should be edible. My products go through many-many years of testing before they are introduced.

Q: How does aromatherapy help in enhancing beauty?

Blossom: Aromatherapy is excellent for the body, mind and soul. You can use essential oils for massage, for instance, you can use them in your bathwater, after shower, and for any stress related ailments like body ache, hormonal problems, sinus, headache and migraine. Or you can try lavender for stress and ache. Then there is ‘ylang ylang’ to pep you up and Jasmine to lift you from depression. Sandal wood is also excellent oil.

Q: With monsoons coming what are the special things that one should keep in mind for perfectly healthy hair and skin?
Blossom: During the monsoons, cleanse your skin regularly with a good face wash. Don’t use any heavy moisturizer or creams; exfoliate twice a week with a good scrub. Cleaning hair is very important. Shampoo often as hair tends to get dirty, and dry your hair before braiding to avoid fungal infections.

Q: How would you define beauty?

Blossom: Beauty is holistic, it has to deal with your body, mind and soul and when everything is in harmony the person is beautiful.

Q. What’s your take on cosmetic surgery and Botox treatment? Are there any side effects?

Blossom: Well, they are basically beauty enhancement treatments and in most cases, they are adopted only if there is dire need for it. I mean if you are in a line of work which demands you to look glamorous, say like in showbiz, then there is no harm. However, these operations should only be done after a certain age and youngsters should refrain from such procedures instead they should rejuvenate themselves with aromatherapy.

Q: What can people do to reduce stress? Please suggest.

Blossom: We would recommend you to go for aromatherapy. Get yourself a diffuser, add a little water on the top of the diffuser, light a candle and add a few drops of Peach or Lavender oil. The oils can also be used in bath water, on the pillow and you can also use it in a potpourri.

Q: Can you tell us something about yourself? What all do you do - only aromatherapy or regular beauty treatment and makeup also?

Blossom: I also do make up, beauty and hair as well as skin care and spa therapy. I teach Reiki and play golf.

Q: Which celebrity do you think has the perfect skin tone and hair?

Blossom: Priyanka Chopra and…yes this pretty girl Katrina Kaif.

Q: We have heard that there are some international stars visiting your store for beauty and essential oils…

Blossom: It was only some time back that at our Qutub Colonnade store, we had a surprise visitor one day - Richard Gere. He walked into the store once and picked up ‘Dreams` (an essential oil). Ever since, whenever he’s in Delhi on his way to Dharamshala, he drops by at the store.

Kingfisher Calendar Girls Photos, Stills, Pictures

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Home Remedies For Treating Dandruff

To have healthy hair, you need to take proper care. For a woman , having healthy hair is a “Crowning Glory” and to keep it this way is not at all simple and easy. To attain lovely hair , you have to care for it with proper nourishment and you also need to follow a good diet.

There are a number of hair problems that arise due to pollution and hygienic conditions. The most common problem is “Dandruff”. It is the shedding of dead cells from the scalp which sometimes leads to boils and pimples.

Now to get rid of dandruff there are five simple home remedy ways :-
1.You have to keep the scalp clean. Oil your hair on alternate days and shampoo it well.

2.In a cup of water, mix 2 tablespoon of Brandy . Apply it to the roots of your hair with the help of your fingertips and wash after half an hour with shampoo.

3.With one cup of yogurt ( curd) , add an egg to it and beat it well. Apply the mixture on your scalp and wash the hair after half an hour.

4.Olive oil also help to remove dandruff. Mix one tablespoon of olive oil along with a dab of lime juice. Apply evenly on the scalp and cover the head using a scarf. Keep it overnight and shampoo well the next morning.

5.Grind a beetroot in the mixer. Take 2 tablespoon of the juice with one beaten egg and a little lime juice added to the mixture. Apply and leave it on the scalp for at least half an hour before washing.

Take good care of your hair and it will add to your charm. A balanced diet with high protein and rich calcium food helps you to keep your hair healthy , strong and beautiful.

Ills of a very tight bra

When it comes to dressing even the bra you wear is important. Many women think that the tighter the bra, the better it is. Tight bras give you a fuller and more enhanced bust and more importantly, gives support and shape. Some woman are so used to wearing bras that they even wear one when they sleep! However, a recent study conducted at the Harvard university, has linked wearing tight bras to breast cancer. This is because wearing a very tight bra can restrict blood circulation and can also impair the lymph tissues.

According to the study, less oxygen and fewer nutrients are delivered to the cells, while waste products are not flushed away. This is especially the case with women who wear bras for more than 12 hours a day and even sleep in them. The study also discovered that middle-class women are at a higher rick of breast cancer since they work for longer hours.

Since lymphatic vessels are very thin, they are extremely sensitive to pressure and are easily compressed. General Physician Dr M D Mody agrees. “The main reason why extremely tight bras are bad for breast health is because they restrict the lymph flow in your breasts. Normally the lymph fluid washes out waste materials and other toxins away from the breasts but bras inhibit this action, so toxins can start to accumulate in the breast, and that can help cancer to develop.”

Many experts say that a lot of women believe that if they follow a regular diet and exercise daily, their chances of developing breast cancer are reduced. According to gynaecologist, Dr Smiti Kamath, “A lot of the women who come to me are very health conscious people, who exercise regularly. They get surprised when they’re told that the lymphatic circulation in many tissues (especially the primary lymphatics) is highly dependent on movement. Wearing a bra, especially a constricting one with underwires, and especially to bed, prevents normal lymphatic flow and is likely lead to anoxia (lower than normal oxygen content), which has been related to fibrosis, which in turn has been linked to increased cancer risk,” she says.

Oncologist Dr M V Shah says that women who have a history of breast cancer in their families should be especially careful. “Bras inhibit the way our bodies normally cleanse themselves and get rid of cancer cells and toxins like dioxin, benzene and other carcinogenic chemicals that cling to the body's fatty tissues like breast. In fact, if you find a lump in your breast, it may very well be filled with lymph fluid that was not able to move away from the breast tissue,” says Dr Shah.