Rangoli January 2016 - The Overseas women`s club of Bangalore

R ANGOLI
THE
OVERSEAS
WOMEN’S
CLUB
OF BANGALORE
A Division of the Overseas
Women‘s Foundation
Bangalore
January 2016
for private circulation only
www.owcbangalore.org
A New Year...
A New Beginning
12
OWC Christmas
The Rangoli −Bazaar
January 2016
| 1
2015
THE RANGOLI
(A publication of the
Overseas Women’s Club of Bangalore)
Contents
Editor: HANIFA HAJI
Commissioning Editor: MARY MCAULEY
Photo Editor: KATJA GANESH
Layout: PINK LEMONADE
Advertising: SUMITHRA RAJU
Distribution Team: PETRA BEKKAR AND HEIDI HOJNICKI
OVERSEAS WOMEN’S CLUB
OF BANGALORE
12
(A division of the Overseas Women’s
Foundation, Bangalore)
Acting President: SHERRY WALTER
Secretary: SUSAN BOUVIN
12 FOCUS ON CHARITY
Treasurer: PAMELA MILNE
Vice President, Charities: SHERRY WALTER
Vice President, Events I: NAMRATA DEWAN
16 FESTIVALS
Vice President, Events II: BERTY ELLING
Vice President, Advertising & Communications I:
SUMITHRA RAJU
Vice President, Fundraising: NANHI SINGH
Vice President, Membership: ASHA PREM SHAH
32
Vice President, Publications: HANIFA HAJI
Managing Trustee: SUSHEELA M. THOMAS
Trustees: FRANCES RAO,
ANILA SUBRAHMANYAM and SUSANNE PERIS
ISSUE: JANUARY 2016
Copyright Overseas Women’s Club of
Bangalore (www.owcbangalore.org). All rights
reserved. Reproduction in any manner is prohibited
unless prior approval is granted.
Makar Sankranti
18 EVENTS
Vice President, Advertising & Communications II:
RAJEEB SOOD
OVERSEAS WOMEN’S
FOUNDATION, BANGALORE
OWC Christmas Bazaar 2015
Volunteer with OWC
04 Editor’s Note
08 President’s Note
10
What’s on this month
Benjarong Lunch Bunch
Flower Arranging
Photography Workshop
21 PASSION AND PURPOSE
My Expat Life in India
26 Health AND lifestyle
Walking for Fitness
29 ART REVIEW
Indian Summers
32 FilM ReVIEW
Must Watch Bollywood Movies
Printed in Bengaluru, India, by
W.Q. Judge Press.
Cover Photo Credit: "A New Dawn” by Hema Narayanan (www.hemanarayanan.com)
This magazine is meant for private
circulation only.
Please send your letters and suggestions to [email protected]
Special thanks and appreciation to our members for their contribution of articles and photographs.
The Rangoli − January 2016 | 3
EDITOR’S NOTE
Editor’s Note
Dear members,
Happy New Year! May 2016 be a year of good health, prosperity and friendship for all.
Hanifa Haji
Editor and VP, Publications,
Overseas Women’s Club of Bangalore.
As we enter into any new year, we tend to have a heightened sense of opportunities
and possibilities. There was a time when December would see me diligently at my desk,
pen and paper in hand, ready to write down my many New Year’s resolutions. Not
a month would pass and I would already have broken most of the promises and so I
decided to never write a resolution again. Instead, I have an ongoing set of goals which
seem to be very consistent with almost everyone I talk to:
• Eat healthier and get fit
• Learn something new
• Spend more time with family and friends
• Travel to new places
• Volunteer and make a difference
How fortunate we are that our membership in the OWC gives us the opportunity to
fulfil that last goal and we thank everyone (volunteers, sponsors and shoppers) for
making our annual OWC Christmas Bazaar such a wonderful success. Read more about
the event in Jesse Lindstrom’s article and take a look at Sherry Walter’s article on
volunteering and making a difference in the charities we support.
The month of November was full of wonderful events organized by our Activities and
Events Committee. Workshops, lunch bunches and road trips — these are some of the
social activities that make it so much fun to be part of this organization and you can
read about them in this month’s Rangoli.
You’ll also read about Katja Ganesh’s expat experience in India, the festival of Makar
Sankranti written by Poonam Illuri, and Mary McAuley’s review on a wonderful new
TV show, Indian Summers. Shakera Tarachand has put together her list of must-watch
Bollywood movies and a number of OWC members have written about their experience
in the 2015 OXFAM 100 km Trailwalker event.
And finally, the 2016 Photo Competition is now open to receiving your entries. We have
four categories (Nature, Culture, Places and Faces) and the deadline is March 31, 2016.
You never know ... your entry could be on the cover of a future issue of The Rangoli.
As always, we welcome your articles, comments and photos … please send your
submissions to [email protected].
Have a wonderful month!
[email protected]
[email protected]
4 | The Rangoli − January 2016
Hanifa
OWC MEMBER DISCOUNTS
A number of our local business friends offer generous discounts with a valid OWC Membership Card.
Some other establishments will also provide a discount but don’t advertise, so show your card and ask! Conditions apply.
Hotels, Restaurants and Bars
Alila Bangalore, Whitefield –
15% off on food and beverage in all
of the restaurants everyday
Bliss Chocolate Lounges – 15%
off at UB City, Forum Value Mall,
Mantri Mall, Forum Mall
Caperberry, Fava, UB City –
12.5% off on food/soft drinks & 7%
discount on alcohol beverages
Casa Cottage, Richmond Road –
15% off on room rates
Fishermans Wharf – 10% off on
food and non – alcoholic drinks
Fortune Select Trinity – 15% off
on F&B outlets
Gateway Hotel – 15% off on food
at Northern Gate
Grand Mercure, Bangalore –
15% off on food and soft beverages
at 12th Main and By the Blue
(signature restaurant of Novotel)
on brunch, buffet, a la carte and
soft beverages. Not valid on special
occasions and during events.
Cannot be clubbed with any other
offer
The Oberoi – 15% off on
food/soft drinks at: Polo Club,
Szechuan Court
Rim Nam (does not include Sunday
Brunch)
Services & Shopping
Antel Exports, Hosur Road – 15% to 25% off at factory outlet
Asian Woman’s Spa and Asian Unisex Spa, Koramangala – 20% off
on spa and salon services
B:Blunt Salon – 25% off on initial visit, 10% off thereafter
Bodycraft Spa & Salon – 15% discount on all services at any outlet.
All services are by appointment only
CLARINS Skin Spa: - Complimentary treatment valued at Rs. 1700 on
booking of any CLARINS Tri active Face or Body Treatment,
on the first visit
Le Jardin (does not include Sunday
Brunch)
Dr. Pawan (Vet), Indiranagar – 10% off on overall treatment fee
Olive Beach – 15% off
Hilton Bangalore – Embassy Golf Links:
Mon-Fri: 15% OFF and Sat – Sun: 20% OFF
(Including alcoholic beverages) on all restaurants and bar. Discount not
valid for special promotions and cannot be clubbed with another offer
Park Plaza, Bengaluru – 15% off
on food at Melange, Shao, Zaffron,
The Gadang Lounge and The Pool
Bar
Portland Steakhouse & Café –
Hamilton Realtors – 10% discount on all real estate transactions
Himalayan Dowry Store, MG road –
30% off on carpets and 10% off on everything else
10% off on food
Jiva Spa, Vivanta by Taj, Whitefield – 15% off
Ritz Carlton – 15% off on food
and soft beverages in all
restaurants for party size of 8 or
less. Discount not valid for special
occasions or festivals
Monopoly Inc – 10% discount on service charges
food at Geoffrey’s Bar and
Limelight Restaurant
Royal Orchid Suites, Whitefield
Oakwood: - Oakleaf, Oakwood Residence Prestige Whitefield: – 15%
Hyatt Bangalore – 20% off at
Pink Poppadom, Lido and Liquid
SBARRO – 10% off (excluding
Habanero – 10% off.
Discount is not applicable with
other discount/promotions
Hotel Royal Orchid – 15% off on
ITC Windsor – 20% off on food
including alcohol at Dublin,
Dakshin, Dum Pukht Jolly, Nabobs,
Royal Afghan, Raj Pavillion, The
Grill. 20% off on Sundowners
Fridays
The Lalit – 15% off at 24/7 Coffee
Shop, Baluchi and OKO
Le Meridian – 20% off on food
and beverages
Leela Palace – 10% flat discount
– 25% off on food
combos & other offers); 15% off
(for group of 10 people or more)
Shiro, UB City – 10% off on regular
menu
Summer Vine, Brookefield –-
discount on total bill
Soul City, Oakwood Premier Prestige Bangalore (UB City): – 15%
discount on total bill
Angsana Spa, Oakwood Premier Prestige Bangalore (UB City): 15%
discount on all spa treatments
Angsana Oasis Spa Prestige Ozone, Bangalore, Whitefield: 15% discount
on all spa treatments
Taj West End –15% off (ex.
alcohol) Mynt (lunch,/dinner, not
brunch) Masala Klub
(lunch/dinner) Blue Ginger (lunch
incl. Sunday) Blue Bar (all drinks,
incl. alcohol)
Rakhi’s Fashion – Discounts of 5% - 15%
Rejuva spa, Lalit Hotel – 25% off on all services
Ritz Carlton Spa – 15% off on all services
daily
Spa Alila Bangalore – 30% off on all treatments starting 1 Nov’14
through 31st Oct’15. This offer cannot be combined with any other
promotional offer existing in the hotel. This offer will not be valid on
special days like all official/public holiday
Via Milano, Koramangala –
Scandal Unisex Salon, Marathalli – 20% off on services over Rs. 100
Marriott, Whitefield – 15% off on
food and beverage, not applicable
to WBC Retail
15% off
Flat 10% discount at The Square
Movenpick Near BEL Circle – 10% off at Sohum Spa
Park Plaza, Bengaluru – 15% off on spa and salon treatments
Toscano, Whitefield – 10% off
Novotel, Bengaluru Techpark –
Market City and Jayanagar
15% off
across all outlets. 10% discount at
Cake Shop with minimum billing of
Rs. 500
Movenpick near BEL Circle,
MyPlace – 15% off, Mezzalune –
15% off, Obsidian Bar – 10%
Montage – 15% discount on all framing services at locations in Phoenix
Vivanta by Taj, Whitefield –
15% off at Graze, Café Mozaic and
Memories of China
Vivanta by Taj, Yeswantpur –
15% discount on food only at
Palette, Azure, Paranda
6 | The Rangoli − January 2016
Swaasthya Wellness – Discount of 15%
Svisti, Cunningham Road – Discount of 5%
S2 Spa by Emma – 20% discount on massages & spas
The Leela, – 10% flat discount on the Leela Moments holiday packages
at Kovalam, Udaipur & Goa, until March 2015
The Palms Spa, Bengaluru – 15% discount
PRESIDENT’S NOTE
President’s Note
Dear OWC Members,
Happy New Year! I am so excited to begin this new adventure with each of you. And
I know that along the journey of the great work we do on behalf of our 22 worthy
charities, we will also become lifelong friends.
I want to first thank Debbie O’Neill on behalf of the entire OWC for everything she
has done and given over the past twelve years. Debbie has begun a new adventure
of her own in Kuala Lumpur, but I suspect she will pop in to check on all of us from
time to time. Debbie, you will be missed and you are always welcome; know that I am
committed to furthering the great work of this organization, its ideals and its spirit.
Sherry Walter
Acting President and
VP, Charities,
Overseas Women’s Club of Bangalore.
My name is Sherry Walter and I moved here with my husband, Steve from Shanghai,
China. While this is our fifth expat assignment, it is our first as empty nesters so we
begin not only a new culture, but a new and exciting relationship.
OWC had a great 2015 and it was all because of you! On behalf the OWC Executive
Committee and our Trustees, I would like to thank the committee chairs for all of their
hard work, creative ideas and compassionate spirit of giving.
OWC is the social arm of OWFB, a non-profit charitable trust. That means that
everything we do is for the benefit of the charities we aid. And it means that we are
an all voluntary organization of intelligent, strong and caring individuals from around
the world. So as a volunteer organization, we need volunteers! And in the process of
us helping others, working together, giving, loving and caring, we become, at our core,
a social organization. And that I believe is the magic – engaging with each other in the
service of others. I strongly encourage each of you to get involved in a project. It’s a
great way to give back to our host community, to meet new friends, to get out of the
house and into the community, and I guarantee you … to smile.
The OWC Executive Committee members are great role models for what can be done
for our organization and for our community and each one has a wealth of knowledge
about our history, our needs and our potential. So grab them at our weekly coffees or
an event and find out more. Their names are listed in the Members Only insert in this
issue of The Rangoli.
OWC website:
www.owcbangalore.org
OWC Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/
overseaswomensclub
I so look forward to getting to know each of you. I am always available to help, to listen,
to encourage, to console, to celebrate, to love. I will cry with you, laugh with you and
wonder with you. I am not perfect and I will make mistakes, but it will always be with
good intentions and a heart that is opened to you.
Learn. Love. Share. Care.
Success,
Sherry
8 | The Rangoli − January 2016
Positions open in
OWC Executive Committee
Due to family and work obligations, a number of Executive
Committee positions have become vacant. As we have
just completed our two major events of the year (India
Night and Christmas Bazaar), this is the perfect time, for
those who would like to be more involved in the OWC, to
ease into a leadership role. We will focus on the VP Events
position this month but should you wish to get involved in
any other roles, specifically, VP Fundraising, VP Advertising
or VP Communications, please contact any of the EC
members or Trustees mentioned in the OWC Members
Only insert.
Vice President
Social Events and Activities
• Organize events to encourage sociability among the members of the OWC. These events include major
fundraising events such as OWC India Night and smaller events such as the OWC Photo Competition etc
• Work closely with VP Advertising to secure sponsorship for both large and small events, where needed
• Design advertisements and announcements communicating events through The Rangoli and email
Coordinate with editor of The Rangoli, VP Advertising and VP Communications
• Manage the coordinators for all OWC activities such as the coordinators for the Lunch bunch, Monthly
speaker meetings, Road trips, and special groups
• Coordinate and work with other organizations to arrange tickets for OWC members for their fully
sponsored events and other non-sponsored events
• Manage budgets, negotiate contracts, build and maintain relationships with venues and service providers
• Attend and report to the Executive Committee and Trustees at the monthly EC meetings
The Rangoli − January 2016 | 9
The purpose of the Overseas Women’s Club as outlined
in the Constitution
OVERSEAS
WOMEN’S
CLUB
OF BANGALORE
A Division of the Overseas
Women‘s Foundation
Bangalore
What’s On
This Month
Photography Road Trip
with Katja Ganesh, Photographer
Date: Wednesday January 20, 2016
Venue: City Market
Sign up at Events desk at
Leela Coffee Morning
10 | The Rangoli − January 2016
1. To promote social welfare by aiding needy public charitable projects without
restriction to caste or creed with both funds and personal involvement.
2. To welcome foreign newcomers in Bangalore and help them establish
themselves in the community.
3. To promote sociability among the members and their families.
4. To help members and their families to gain a better understanding of India
through cultural and social activities and programs.
The OWC of Bangalore supports these charities
1. Accept Society
2. Asha Foundation
3. Asha Niketan
4. Ashraya Children’s Home
5. Bangalore Education Trust
6. Bangalore Hospice Trust
7. Belaku Trust
8. Deena Seva Charitable Trust
9. Divine Light Trust for the Blind
10. Dominican Sisters of the
Presentation
11. Freedom Foundation
12. Helpline Charitable Trust­–Project
Vishwas
13. Jagruthi
14. Jeevodaya Childcare India
15. Navachetana
16. New Ark Mission
17. ProVision Asia
18. Sai Shankar Loving Lights Trust
19. Shelia Kothavala Inst. for Deaf
20. Shristi Special Academy
21. Spastic Society of Karnataka
22. Vision Asia
FOCUS ON CHARITY
OWC Christmas
Bazaar 2015
The magic of the season
started bright and early this
year at the annual OWC
Christmas Bazaar.
D
Karin Callin shops at the table of one
of the OWC charities
By
Jesse Lindstrom
Despite the rainy weather, a record
breaking crowd of over 2,100 people
came to St. Mark’s Cathedral to enjoy
the event. Nan Singh, VP, Fundraising,
summed up the feelings shared by
many at the event. “I feel privileged
to be a part of an organization
that devotes itself to bringing the
Bangalore community together and
which, at the same time, raises money
to support the 22 charities that the
OWC helps”, she said.
There were many familiar Bangalore
shops and restaurants in the mix of
the approximately 80 vendors selling
12 | The Rangoli − January 2016
their wares. Most prominently among
them were the 22 charities that the
OWC works to support. The Christmas
Bazaar is important to the charitable
efforts of the OWC. Nan reports that,
behind India Night, the Bazaar is the
OWC’s second largest fundraising event.
Nearly 300 volunteer hours were
donated throughout the course of the
day. OWC members manned admission
tables as well as the bake sale and
publication booths. They assisted
with set up and clean up. Bake sale
and raffle basket items were carefully
curated and donated.
FOCUS ON CHARITY
A children's area was orchestrated
where volunteers and sponsors painted
faces and helped decorate cookies.
Many husbands pitched in as well. There
were men who graciously provided
security the entire day. Steve Walter
tirelessly worked the stage announcing
music groups and raffle winners.
And there was a Santa on stage for
countless photo ops. Five music groups
from Bangalore schools performed
throughout the event as well.
The atmosphere was made even more
festive by those who attended. Many
came dressed for the occasion. Sherry
Walter, VP, Charities, commented that
a big take away for her was “how the
attendees interacted with the charities
and what they brought to the event.”
The success of the bazaar depended
not only on people giving freely of
their time but also people who needed
to show up, open their pocketbooks,
and shop! The joint generosity of the
Hazel Fernandes and Abhishek Khare pose for a quick photo with Santa and his elves
A soloist sings from Trio World School
Sissi Demoulin gets her hand painted in the children’s area
volunteers and the attendees yielded
approximately 7 lakhs.
Whether you were a volunteer or a
holiday shopper, OWC charities and
fundraising would like to thank you
for being part of this year’s Christmas
Bazaar. It was a beautiful start to this
season of giving.
The Rangoli − January 2016 | 13
FOCUS ON CHARITY
Volunteer with the OWC
and its charities
By
Sherry Walter
After five expat assignments, I now find myself in India where there are more
than 23 million abandoned or orphaned children, 22 million individuals with
a disability and a likely very low estimate of some 2.5 million living with HIV,
many of them children. Combine these three together and you have at least
47 million individuals in need; put it more bluntly, this is equivalent to the
entire population of Spain. How can we not be compelled to help?
A
Approximately 85% of all monies
collected through membership fees,
events and fundraising events are
distributed to the 22 worthwhile
charities OWC supports. Of the
Rs. 4,000 membership fee,
approximately Rs. 3,400 goes to charity.
Each year a Grant Funding Application
process is completed by the charities
we support. These charities are
already sustainable in nature and our
funding is meant for special projects
and items that help them “do a little
more”– add on a room, cots, kitchen
equipment, toilets, digging a well. But
even with the grant funding provided
by OWC, it is not enough. The
charities are always in need of items
ranging from pillows, blankets, towels
and school uniforms, to shoes, school
bags, basic toiletries and special
medical treatments.
Below is a list of the OWC Charities, in
alphabetical order, and the population
they serve. If you find one that has
special meaning or interest to you,
please free to contact me at owc.
[email protected] or Marianne at
[email protected]. How you
get involved depends on you; the
best way to help is to get involved,
the best way to meet people in a new
country is to get involved, and the
best way to give something back to
the communities that give so much to
us as our hosts ... is to get involved.
List of OWC Charities
ACCEPT Society — Runs an HIV/AIDS
Care and Support Centre, as well
as a home for HIV+ orphans. Focus
on awareness, care and counseling,
testing and medical help and support.
ASHA Foundation (Action, Service and
Hope for AIDS) — Provides support and
care for the HIV+/AIDS community in
Bangalore. Operates an AIDS hotline
as well as a telephone counseling
service, free clinic, awareness and
education programs in hospitals and the
14 | The Rangoli − January 2016
community, provides support to family
members of patients and research in
the field of HIV/AIDS.
Asha Niketan — A home and
vocational centre for mentally
challenged men and women – both
residential and day care. Committed
to teaching these individuals how
to take care of themselves and each
other while learning new skills such as
gardening, crafts, etc and general
life skills.
Ashraya — Crèches (daycare) at 6
locations in Bangalore (Avalahalli,
Banaswadi, Indiranagar, Shivajinagar,
Siddapura, Nelamangala). A centre
for abused and abandoned women
at Nelamangala (“Tara” Women’s
Centre). A residential school
(“Neelbagh”) for children of migrant
labourers and local, agricultural
workers from neighbouring villages.
A convention centre, proceeds from
which go to support the charity’s
other programs
FOCUS ON CHARITY
Bangalore Education Trust - Running
a free school for poor, rural children
in Yelahanka. Provides balanced meals
to students.
Bangalore Hospice Trust —
Karunashray - Fifty bed facility
improving the quality of life of
Advanced stage cancer patients.
Health care professionals provide
personal care, emotional support,
respite care, symptom control,
appropriate nutrition and bereavement
support. All services are free.
Belaku Trust — Working to improve
health and nutrition of poor women
and children in villages in the
Kanakpura district.
Deena Seva Charitable Trust — Little
Infant Jesus Children’s Home - Runs
a residential home for HIV+ children
and women.
Divine Light Trust for the Blind —
Runs a residential school for blind
children and those with multiple
disabilities. Provides school education
to enable blind children to integrate
into normal schools. Also provides
physiotherapy, computer training, and
horticulture, tailoring and healthcare.
Dominican Sisters of the Presentation
— A crèche (daycare) for children of
domestic workers and construction
workers from the slums around
Indiranagar. Also supports the
Resurrection School for 250 older
children. Provides help with
homework, a place to study after
school and free extra coaching classes
and educational aids. Organises
childrens summer camps and
health camps. Organises Children’s
Parliaments – meetings held once
a week to deal with problems
and issues the children face, and
learn about children’s rights. Self
Help groups for women (similar to
micro credit groups) and promotes
children’s and women’s leadership
and develop talents.
Freedom Foundation — HIV+/AIDS
clinic, small hospital and children’s
home providing care and support to
HIV+ adults and children, many of
whom are orphans.
PMTCT — Prevention of Mother to
Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS.
Helpline Charitable Trust — Project
‘Vishwas’ - A home for orphaned,
abused and abandoned children.
Main objective is to provide
personalized care in a family setting.
AGRUTHI — Operates a crèche
(daycare) and home care centres for
children who are sexually exploited
or whose parents have died of HIV.
Conducts HIV awareness and education
programs, drop-in health clinics,
outreach and service to commercially
and sexually exploited people.
Jeevodaya — Child Care India - Runs
a home for boys who have been
orphaned, abandoned or come from
very disadvantaged backgrounds.
Also runs a school for children from
nursery up to Grade 3. Provides
after-school education for 4000
deprived children across 100 areas of
Bangalore.
Navachetana — Runs a centre for
aged, ill, destitute and mentally
challenged adults. Provides both short
and long term care.
New Ark Mission — Home of Hope Runs a home for destitute and dying
people picked up off the streets
of Bangalore. Provides medical
treatment, long-term rehabilitation
and a dignified place to end their days.
ProVISION ASIA — Works with
physically and intellectually
challenged, blind and deaf people.
Provides specialist equipment to
increase mobility as well as physical
and speech therapy, corrective
surgery, job placement services and
government advocacy. Runs a special
needs school providing English and
computer classes for adults.
Sai Shankar Loving Lights Trust —
Runs a free residential program called
T.R.E.P. (Total Residential Education
Programme) which provides not only
academic education but stresses
Values, Life-Skills and Devotion for
disadvantaged girls and boys.
Sheila Kothavala Institute for the
Deaf (SKID) — Runs a free, Englishmedium educational institute for
hearing-impaired children, mainly from
financially disadvantaged families.
Shristi Special Academy — Enables
self-reliance and improves
the quality of life for mentally
challenged and autistic children.
Runs many programs, including early
intervention, autism awareness,
ADHD, a respite care unit and
vocational training.
Spastics Society of Karnataka — Runs
educational, medical, rehabilitation
and social services for infants,
children and young adults with
neuromuscular and development
disorders.
Vision India — A residential facility for
mentally ill, destitute women. Primary
goal is the psycho-social rehabilitation
of vagrant / wandering women found
on the streets of Bangalore.
The Rangoli − January 2016 | 15
FESTIVALS
in Bengal, Orissa, Maharashtra,
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Pongal – The most important festival
in Tamil Nadu. It is celebrated by
Tamilians worldwide from Singapore
and Malaysia to the US and the UK.
The first rice of the season is offered
to the sun in the form of a sweet. The
celebrations last a few days; Kolams
which are decorations and patterns
drawn with colours and powdered
rice (for the ants to eat) adorn the
entrances to the house, and banana
leaves and sugarcane sticks are used
to signify abundance. Everyone
wears new clothes (old clothes and
belongings are discarded), and people
visit friends and relatives. In every
household a sweet is made with rice
milk and jaggery.
The Festival of
Makar
Sankranti
By
Poonam Illuri
I
Makar Sankranti is one of the
few Indian festivals that follows
the Gregorian instead of the
lunar calendar and is usually
celebrated between the 13th
to 15th of January but usually
on the 14th.
16 | The Rangoli − January 2016
It celebrates the harvest as well as the
coming of spring. It is on the first day of
Uttarayana (northward movement of
the sun) and its transition into Makar
Rashi (constellation of Capricorn).
Makar Sankranti celebrates the end
of winter and the promise of warmer,
longer days, especially in the North
of India. Celebrated all over India,
the festival goes by Pongal in Tamil
Nadu, Uttarayana in Gujarat, Lohri
in Punjab, and Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti – In other parts of
India there are similar celebrations.
In the north, sweets are made out of
jaggery, sesame and peanuts; in the
south, coconut is added. Rangolis,
another name for kolams, are
elaborately created at the entrances.
New clothes, going to temples, and
visits to friends and relatives are
common. In Gujarat and Maharashtra,
flying kites is also an important part of
the festivities.
Lohri – After the cold, long winter in
Punjab, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the
start of the summer is celebrated with
lighting bonfires in every locality. It
is said to be the longest, coldest day
of the year and what can be a better
way to celebrate? Everybody gathers
around the fire, sings songs, throws in
corn and peanuts, and sweets made
FESTIVALS
from jaggery, peanuts and sesame –
all warming foods – are distributed.
Vasant Panchami, or the 5th day of
spring, is celebrated mainly in North
India on the 5th day of the waxing
moon. There are a few festivals
that fall on this day and these are
celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and
Muslims. Saraswati Puja – the
Goddess is worshipped on this
day with prayers for art,
wisdom and knowledge, a
practice encouraged by the
government in the local
schools. Young girls wear
yellow clothes symbolizing
vibrancy.
Also during
this time
mustard
flowers
are in bloom
so everything is
a beautiful, vibrant
and yellow. Kite flying
is also a part of the
celebrations. Sufi Basant
is celebrated in Sufi shrines
on this day, as is Basant by
Sikhs in Gurdwaras. The
birthday of Deo, the
sun god, is celebrated in
Bihar.
So as we can see, a common thread
runs though all these festivals and
celebrations ... sweets with jaggery
and nuts, flying kites, new clothes,
visits to friends relatives, and of
course, a visit to the temple.
The Rangoli − January 2016 | 17
EVENTS
Lunch Bunch at
By
Meredith Mehra
Benjarong
It is always a lot of fun going for lunch bunch with the OWC. I have been to a couple before and
the first time was a little nerve-wracking. I didn’t know another soul there and I am a bit of an
introvert. But, it was lovely meeting so many new ladies and sharing our stories.
T
The November lunch bunch just
before the Diwali holiday was no
different. We met at Benjarong
Restaurant on Ulsoor Road. Benjarong
is a wonderful Thai restaurant
in the heart of the city and has
wonderful food. We had quite a large
group on this particular day so the
management split us into two tables
based on our spice preferences.
Like so many restaurants in the city,
Benjarong is able to create mild
flavoured foods for those who don’t
enjoy spicy chillies and such.
We started off with a small amuse
bouche, a bite sized morsel full of
flavour. It was a small piece of lettuce
18 | The Rangoli − January 2016
and we were given condiments
to build a little wrap. There were
peanuts, a sweet sauce, ginger bits,
tiny lemon wedges complete with
skin and a few other items. This was
something I had never tried before
and was not disappointed. The flavour
punch was delightful.
Next came the starters, both vegetarian
and non-veg options. I went for the
non-vegetarian and had my favourite:
juicy, marinated chicken wrapped in a
pandan leaf and cooked. This, by far, is
one of my favourite starters. We also
had spring rolls and veg starters.
The main course came and was also
wonderful. We were treated to a variety
of veg and non-veg curries and stir-fried
vegetables. There was an assortment
of yellow and green curries so nearly
everyone could find something to their
liking. Finally, dessert was either a date
pancake with ice cream, or a water
chestnut dessert. I opted for the water
chestnuts since I had never tried it, and
it was definitely different. In a good way
different.
Needless to say, conversation was lively,
food was great, and I am pretty sure
a good time was had by all. I highly
recommend joining in for a lunch bunch
as a great way to try out some of the
city’s varied restaurants, and also to
meet wonderful ladies.
EVENTS
Flower
Arranging
By
Berty Elling
for the Holidays
Traffic jams and rain did not stop the 35 ladies who came to the flower
arranging workshop hosted by Good Earth at their beautiful location on Walton
Road. It was an interactive demonstration, conducted by Meghaa, that focused
on basic floral care, techniques for preparing and working with flowers and an
opportunity to see the creation of Christmas arrangements.
“I believe flower arranging is a spiritual exercise that connects me to
my inner self. I see flowers as living forms of positive energy
which leave a therapeutic effect on all persons. This
spirituality I like to bring out in all my arrangements
which are exemplary in their simplicity and drama,”
says Meghaa.
The participants learned about common flower
varieties, tips to take care of flowers, how
and when to use local, available flowers, and
including spices such as cloves, star anise and
cinnamon to make beautiful floral arrangements.
There was fantastic interaction between the
participants and Meghaa.
Everyone was happy and delighted after the one
hour demonstration.
The Rangoli − January 2016 | 19
EVENTS
Photography
Workshop
By
Jenika Kaul
On yet another rainy day in November more than a dozen OWC
members gathered, cameras in hand, for the Monthly Speaker
Meeting. Speaker, photographer and OWC member Katja
Ganesh was there to lead a Photography Workshop.
K
Katja’s goal was to teach the
participants how to get out of auto
mode and to learn how to use those
buttons on the camera that often sit
without being touched. She explained
exposure and how photographers
use shutter speed, aperture and light
sensitivity for different effects. She
complemented her explanations of
technical terms with photo examples
and hands-on practice.
When adjusting for aperture,
photographers control for depth of
field and how much the lens is open.
In layman’s terms, aperture is how
to get a portrait photo with a blurred
background (large aperture) or a sharp
landscape photo (small aperture). She
offered lots of practical advice, like what
aperture to use for group pictures and
how to use focus points to make sure
the desired subject is in focus.
When adjusting for shutter speed,
photographers control for motion
blur by setting the length of time that
the lens is open. A fast shutter speed
crisply captures moving objects –
like kids and sporting events. A slow
shutter speed can be used to blur
motion, such as a waterfall, windmill or
moving cars at night. Katja cautioned
that slow shutter speed photos often
require a tripod.
Another photographer’s tool is the
ISO, which controls the noise in a
photo – or the graininess. A high
ISO allows for picture taking in low
light situations, but may make for
noisy photos. A low ISO can be used
outdoors in the day and will create
sharp, clear pictures.
Katja also offered her tips for portrait
photography, based on her years of
experience as a family photographer.
They include: 1. Pay attention to
your background (and blur it if it’s
undesirable); 2. Focus on the eyes of
the subject; 3. Get on the same level
as your subject (especially children!);
and 4. Avoid direct sunlight. At the
end of the session, the participants
were eager to put their newly learned
skills to use and as they needed
some natural light to do so, the hotel
poolside provided the backdrop for
some practice photos.
Katja has offered to lead some OWC
photography tours at sites and
markets around Bangalore. Look for
those in the new year!
20 | The Rangoli − January 2016
My expat life in
By
Katja Ganesh
INDIA
PASSION AND PURPOSE
Read about life as a rock star,
thieves and psychopaths
at home, cobras and
emasculated trees in the
garden, lady fingers for lunch
and scary birthday parties.
A
A year ago I hugged my friends and
family goodbye to start an expat
adventure in India with my husband
and two daughters, 6 months and 2.5
years old. I got that look from people
back home. India? Really? WHY? I
hesitated and remembered my first
trips to Chennai 10 years back when I
felt like a rock star just walking down
the streets with dozens of kids running
behind me, touching me and my hair,
calling the entire neighbourhood
to watch this spectacle: me. Luckily
things have changed a lot in 10 years.
Bangalore especially is a modern,
open minded city that has seen it all.
There are so many expats here that
you hardly get a stare anymore. But it
remains India, with its noise and chaos,
power cuts and crowds, and buzzing
life wherever you go.
I was all excited when I moved
into my new house surrounded by
flowers throughout the year and
coconut palm trees in the garden.
How exotic. How beautiful ... until the
first coconut fell off a tree just half
a meter away from my head. Ever
since then the trees in our garden
are emasculated — we chopped
off all their nuts. My housekeeper
used to mock me when I would run
with the kids while crossing under
a coconut tree. She said that God
would protect us from any accidents
because we are doing our pujas
(prayers). Unfortunately, I'm not
The Rangoli − January 2016 | 21
PASSION AND PURPOSE
Hindu ... I might not be that lucky so
I keep running and occasionally make
my daughter put a helmet on even
though she is only walking. This is the
crazy truth.
India is a great place with kids as
there is so much help at an affordable
price. I definitely do not miss the part
of my life in Paris where I lived in an
apartment on the 4th floor without an
elevator. I used to carry my newborn
on my left hip, my screaming and
flailing toddler clinching to my leg,
and somewhere, 3 bags of groceries
I just bought during a nightmarish
excursion to the supermarket. Today
I have help. We have a driver who
also carries my groceries. There is a
maid that cleans the house, helps with
cutting vegetables and watches the
kids occasionally. Sounds like a perfect
life doesn’t it?
Well there is a down side to
everything ...
This past year, I have had a minimum
of 10 maids: one was surprised we
actually clean the stove every day,
one took my one-year-old on a twohour shopping trip without telling me
(imagine my fear!), and thought it
more important to have an extended
morning chat than give my screaming
baby girl her lunch. And let’s not
forget the psycho who blackmailed
us with suicide. We have worked with
about 15 drivers out of which one
let me stand in the merciless heat in
front of the supermarket with bags
of groceries, a baby and a toddler
in my arms, while he was enjoying
coffee. One told me he wasn’t my
slave. One spread lies about us in the
neighbourhood. One just vanished
for a week without a sign and came
back to work with no excuse as if
22 | The Rangoli − January 2016
nothing had happened. Twice. One
ran off with my professional camera
stolen from my living room and two
fell asleep while they were driving.
Seriously!
Adventurous life? It is.
We’ve hired a snake catcher to
capture a rat snake from our garden.
We were lucky ... our neighbour got
a visit from a 4-meter cobra! I have
laughed about my husband removing
a frog with his bare hand from a sock
he left in his shoe. My friend got
attacked by a bunch of monkeys in her
own apartment and I am sharing my
home with a joint gecko family. I have
washed an elephant and of course
stood in numerous traffic jams caused
by cows lingering on the street.
Driving also is quite an adventure.
Having driven myself long distances
from Paris to Berlin and being used to
the French way of driving and parking,
let me tell you, that was nothing! The
mere fact that you can get a driving
licence within a week, so I have been
told, explains it all. One way streets
are circulated in both directions, noparking signs are only for decoration
and red lights are being ignored most
of the time. I have stopped sitting in
the front seat as it just scares the hell
out of me. So I sit there in the back
PASSION AND PURPOSE
seat checking every now and then
to make sure my driver is still awake
and marvel at entire families finding
place on a scooter, and entire school
classes fitting in an auto rickshaw
while my two girls sit attached in their
huge car seats. I do feel a bit exotic
sometimes like when I try to master
Indian roads with my stroller or when
I get astonished stares at my baby’s
pacifier in her mouth. How the heck
do the locals make their babies sleep
without them?
There are still a few questions I haven’t
quite found answers to. Appointments
for example are so confusing. When
we visited some houses for rent I got a
call from the real estate agent begging
me not to be late. The good German I
am, I was there 10 minutes early while
he showed up one hour later!!! It took
me some time to learn that something
starting at 3 actually starts at 4 but
most people often only show up at 5.
If you want to get some work done in
the house and you are told that it will
be done in an hour, it actually means
that they will show up tomorrow and
tomorrow actually means some time
next week while next week in reality
means that you probably will never get
a replacement for that window that
just shattered out of the blue. Who
needs a window anyway if foil and
some tape can do the same job?
welcoming. I love the huge, warm
smiles I get whenever I enter a temple
or walk with my kids. We have made
a lot of friends, expats and locals,
and I have attended the craziest
birthday parties with bouncy castle,
toy train, magician and up to 200
guests ... for a 3 or 4-year-old! I’m so
anxious whenever my older one asks
me when she will finally get her own
birthday party with all her friends. I
am a very down to earth person who
loves simplicity and I actually only had
30 guests at my wedding so you can
imagine what I’m going through!!
no need for any fancy food as
India offers the freshest and
yummiest fruits and vegetables. Ever
heard of lady fingers or drumsticks?
Mangoes, papayas and watermelon
can be enjoyed throughout the year
and I have my own guava tree in the
garden — I couldn’t ask for more.
So do I like this expat life? Let me
reply by shaking my head in waves
from left to right and right to left as
only a real South Indian does.
YES! I love it!
But adaptation is everything if you
want to make this life work. I had to
learn that there is hardly any ready
made food available and that the
cooling chain can’t be trusted.
I spent 8 euros on an avocado
and 10 euros on blueberries
before realizing that there is
Today I laugh about my experiences
but that hasn’t always been the case.
When you try to get things done,
India can sometimes be a really
difficult country to live in. I have
gotten desperate and laughed about
call centre staff mumbling their Tamil
and Canadian-influenced English, and
complaining they can’t understand my
accent. But people are kind and very
The Rangoli − January 2016 | 23
HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE
OXFAM Trailwalker 100km Challenge
Walking for Fitness
(& for a good cause)
Coming up this month, the OXFAM 2016 Trailwalker event
will be held. Read about the experiences of some of our OWC
members who participated in the 2015 event.
Strolling Spouses
By
Joy Andres Abernethy
F
Finding things to do in Bangalore can
be challenging and there are enough
fitness activities such as Pilates, yoga,
weight training, running or even
Bollywood dancing. But if you are
willing to challenge yourself to an
endurance test, the 100 km walk is
something you can do.
My involvement with OXFAM 2015
Trail walk started with a text from a
friend who was looking for members
to walk 100 km with her. I remember
being flattered and at the same time
wanting to say no! But instead, I
politely told her that I'd get back to her.
I had major flashbacks from my
previous walk – months of training
– and it made me feel queasy. At the
same time, it felt familiar as I had
participated in 2013 as a trail walker
and in 2014, I was part of the support
crew for my husband's team. One of
the most memorable experiences was
walking through the villages. It gives
you a different perspective of the life
the majority of Indians live. It's a very
Strolling Spouses: Gina McFarland, Joy Andres, Kate Sims, Natalie Follet &
Candice Hart.
26 | The Rangoli − January 2016
humbling experience. We were always
being greeted by curious, local school
children. This whole experience has
added value to living in India – being
expats we sometimes forget.
It has given me a sense of purpose
to give something back every year
and doing the trail walker is my
way. OXFAM is a global movement
dedicated to fighting poverty and
injustice throughout India. They're
involved in many programs that
improve education, health and the
livelihood of the individuals that live
below the poverty level in rural areas.
The key is to have a team of four
members who can achieve the aim
of the event which is to finish the
100 km within a 24—48 hour time
limit. There are checkpoints at various
points along the route that provide
rest and fuel stops. My team trained
together for two to four months
prior to the event. We met twice a
week and walked a bit further each
time. Our longest training walk was
over 60 km. We got to know each
other's weaknesses and strengths and
through that, were able to support
each other. Yes, we all experienced
pain, blisters, extreme fatigue, heat
exhaustion, and dehydration ... it was
part of the sacrifice that we were
willing to make for this charity walk.
We raised money by asking our
friends and families to sponsor us
and are thankful for all the donations.
We were especially grateful to our
support crew (mainly spouses, friends
and drivers).
HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE
We did it in just under 23 hours
and my team, STROLLING SPOUSES,
were the fastest all female teams.
We sprinted our last remaining two
kilometers side by side, in pain, as we
headed towards the finish line. This
was it ... 100 km!!!
Together we shared the same purpose
and we gave it all to those who
needed it most. I was very proud
to be part of my team — what an
incredible journey and friendship!
countryside and my team, "Team Keep
Walking", completed the event in less
than 30 hours. It was a tremendous
effort by all and an outstanding workout
made possible by great preparation and
a fantastic support team.
All the teams were recognized at an
OXFAM Awards night, April 25th, for
their achievements. Well done to the
teams and a big thank you to all of
our supporters!
Team Keep Walking
By
Bill McDowell
In January 2015, I participated in the
annual OXFAM 100 km Walk event
supporting the OXFAM India vision of
"right to life with dignity for all".
A total of 164 teams competed in the
48-hour event across the Bangalore
Team GS: Are we nearly
there yet?
By
Anuraj Bismal
Team ‘GS — Are we nearly there yet?’
managed to complete the 100 km
walk for OXFAM Trailwalker on
Jan 23/24th, 2015 – phew!
The walk started at 6am about 2 hours
from Bangalore in the countryside –
think coconut trees and banana plants.
Many of the villages participated in
silk worm cultivation and on occasion
we were followed by a drone of bees
which was quite a contrast amongst
rural villages.
It got super hot during the day time
[300C / 900F] and the trail itself was
much more arduous than any of us
had envisioned … not a walk in the
park at all! Some of us wore sneakers
which were good for a bit but after
about 50 km, each and every pebble
made itself known – ouch! There
were quite a few blisters and chafing
in those … ummmm … special areas.
No injuries that stopped us though …
thankfully.
We managed to only get about one
hour's sleep during the whole walk and
woke freezing, covered in dew, and a
bit delusional from exhaustion.
Team Keep Walking: Bill McDowell and Jason Lucas
During our night walk part of our
route near Bannerghatta National Park
was diverted due to a herd of wild
elephants – yikes! … one of the more
unusual diversions I have come across.
The Rangoli − January 2016 | 27
HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE
A couple of friends, Ann and Kaie,
joined us during the last 20 km of
the walk, were warmly received, and
proved to be a real pick up to our
spirits which were running on fumes
by that point. All in all, we took an
epic 39 hours and came 138th out of
178 teams that participated. Not fast
... but at least we finished!
We had super help from our support
team, comprised of three of our
drivers and one pantry boy (yes, I
never knew there was such a title but
there you go … pantry boy). Great
food was on offer including Ann's
treacle flapjacks, Kaie's cashew nut
flour pancakes and Siobhan's amazing
chocolate biscuits.
28 | The Rangoli − January 2016
All in all we had jolly good fun and
celebrated afterwards with lashings
of champagne and Kingfisher and a
brunch at the Oberoi.
Thanks again … as for next
year??????…..
Team GS: Piyush Agarwal, Jacqueline Vargas, Chris Gregory and Anuraj Bismal
Indian
Summers
By
Mary McAuley
An everyday story of colonial folk
ART REVIEW
This show is (UK) Channel 4's most ambitious venture into big
budget, peak time, period drama. It has been compared, by some,
to a rival channel's big hitter Downton Abbey (heard of it?).
I
Indian Summers refers to the
Summers family in the India of the
Raj when the Imperial machinery
of government relocated from the
hot steamy plains to the cool hill
station of Shimla. As it happens
modern Shimla was considered
too developed, difficult to access,
and monsoon prone by the show's
producers so filming took place in
Penang. The real Baronial Viceregal
lodge is conspicuous by its absence
otherwise the setting is spot on.
The cinematography is fabulous
with all the heat and colours that
we residents know and love which
transports the viewer into India in an
instant. The 10-part show finished
earlier in the year on TV but is now
available to download or on DVD.
The many plotted saga has it all. There
is murder, betrayal, forbidden love,
treachery, and even a dog. There are
a number of main characters and it
takes a while for the multilayered and
interwoven storylines to develop.
The centrepiece is the exclusively
European Shimla club in 1932. The
doyenne of this den of intrigue is the
wonderfully named Cynthia Coffin.
She is played to the hilt by Julie
(national treasure) Walters who is,
The Rangoli − January 2016 | 29
ART REVIEW
clearly, thoroughly enjoying herself.
She is a true ‘boo-hiss-panto’ baddie
who manipulates and schemes.
Naturally she is a racist who is
determined to keep the 'natives' (and
dogs) out of her beloved club.
Her weakness, apart from the booze,
is her loyalty to Ralph Whelan, the
scion of an old Raj family. When we
meet him he is first secretary to the
Viceroy and is clearly being groomed
for greatness.
Ralph has a past that comes back to
bite him and Cynth is there to do her
worst to protect her dear Ralphie. She
is ably supported in her shenanigans
by her crafty factotum Kaiser (one has
to love the names in this drama). He is
the all knowing side kick, fixer and the
'go-to' man when Cynthia needs some
dirt to dish.
The action takes place against
a background of the growing
independence movement. There are
many references to this … namely,
Gandhi's fast, and this element is
highlighted when the action shifts to
the Indian part of town. The home of
the hapless Aafrin, another character,
is the pivot here. Aafrin gets rapidly
promoted by Ralph who, of course,
has an agenda in raising the earnest
young parsee. Aafrin's family are the
face of the changing relationship
between the colonials and the locals
- his sister is a firebrand supporter
of the independence movement and
his father, the loyal anglophile, exserviceman symbolises another era.
Aafrin too, has his secrets and lies.
His love life is a mess and he ends
up in the arms of Ralph's sister Alice
whose own love life is also a mess.
Actually every relationship on view is
a disaster waiting to happen.
A number of wild coincidences
knit the somewhat stereotypical
characters and storylines. There is
the missionary couple whose lowly
position on the rigid social pecking
order makes them almost outcasts in
the eyes of the club members. This,
Congratulations
to our very own Heidi Hojnicki, part of The Rangoli
distribution team, who gave birth to a beautiful
baby girl right here in Bangalore. Eleanor "Nora"
Magdalena Hojnicki Shah was born November 18th
at 3:57 pm, weighing 2.9kg. As Heidi says, “Birth was
normal and painful.” Mother, father and brother are
all doing well, doting on the new baby girl.
30 | The Rangoli − January 2016
together with a less than devoted
husband, piles on the misery for
Mrs. Missionary and it is only when
she is able to blackmail Alice into
befriending her that she is accorded
some respect.
Another thread is Ian, the noble
young Scot. His problems come in
the shape of a bottle and a bankrupt
legacy from his similarly sozzled uncle.
His employment by, and friendship
with, an enterprising local only serves
to underline the race divide and to
alienate him from the rest of the
European community who see him as
a traitor to his race. His boss becomes
a sacrificial lamb literally and
metaphorically as his fate reveals the
callous depths to which the nasty elite
will plunge to serve their own ends.
This only gives a brief overview of the
plots and characters. There are some
unbelievable aspects to the various
storylines that the viewer has to
swallow but in spite of this the show
has been popular and a second series
is in the pipeline.
FILM REVIEW
My
Must-watch
list of 21st century Bollywood movies!
By
Shakera Tarachand
The following list of Bollywood
movies will appeal to most
discerning viewers. These
movies have English subtitles
and are widely available on
Netflix or DVDs.
Lagaan
Set in Victorian India, the
people of a small village stake their
future on a game of cricket against
their ruthless British rulers. A fun
movie for cricket lovers.
Starring: Aamir Khan & Gracy Singh
ai
ta H
h
a
h
C
il
D
A story of three
inseparable childhood friends who
find that once they fall in love their
old relationship and friendship is hard
to sustain.
Starring: Aamir Khan & Preity Zinta
d of
n
e
g
e
L
The t Singh
Bhaga
The story of a young revolutionary
who raised an armed resistance
against the British rule in India. A
remake of a historical hero.
Starring: Ajay Devghan
32 | The Rangoli − January 2016
hai
B
a
n
Mun S
MBB
A gangster sets out to
fulfill his father's dream of becoming
a doctor. A light fun movie show͛ s the
main character͛s love for his family.
Starring: Sanjay Dutt & Gracy Singh
nti
Ra
Basa
e
D
g
n
The story of six young Indians who assist an English woman
to film a documentary on extremist freedom fighters from their past, and the
events that lead them to relive the long forgotten saga of freedom.
Starring: Aamir Khan & Soha Ali Khan
FILM REVIEW
SwadesAn scientist returns to
gi Na ra
a
d
n
i
Z
Doba
i
g
e
l
i
M Three friends decide to
his village in India for a visit and
rediscovers his roots. A very realistic
low budget movie.
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan & Gayatri
Joshi
turn their fantasy vacation into reality
after one becomes engaged. Light
hearted movie of friendship with a
Spanish touch. Movie was filmed in
Spain.
Starring: Hrithik Roshan & Katrina Kaif
meen
a
Z
e
r
Taa
Par
An eight-year-old boy
is thought to be lazy and a troublemaker, until the new art teacher has the
patience and compassion to discover
the real problem behind his struggles in
school. A light movie with a message.
Starring: Aamir Khan & Darsheel
Safary
kbar
Jodha A
A sixteenth century love
story about a marriage of alliance that
gave birth to true love between a great
Mughal emperor — Akbar, and a Rajput
princess — Jodha. A love story with
elaborate sets and costumes. A Muslim
and Hindu marriage, showing love has
no religion.
Starring: Hrithik Roshan & Aishwarya
Rai Bachchan
ndia
I
ChakDe
A disgraced hockey
coach agrees to take on an all
-women͛ s national team to regain his
honor and dignity. Shows team spirit
and sportsmanship.
Starring: Shah Rukh Khan.
Barfi
Three young people learn
that love can neither be defined nor
contained by society's ideas of normal
and abnormal. Movie shows how love
overcomes physical shortcomings.
Starring: Ranbir kapoor & Priyanka
Chopra
a
ilkh
M
g
a
a
h
B
Bhaag
The story of an unknown
who could run like the wind. He
was scarred by the India-Pakistan
partition, became a legend and
was called the “The Flying Sikh".
Perseverance is the key to success.
Starring: Farhan Akhtar & Sonam
Kapoor
3 Idiots Two friends, searching for their long lost companion, revisit their
college days and recall memories of their friend who inspired them to think
differently, even as the rest of the world called them "idiots". Shows strong ties of
friendship.
Starring: Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi & Madhavan
The Rangoli − January 2016 | 33
Notice
Pro-rated rates for new members joining from
December 2015 up to March 31st 2016 are as follows:• Membership fees from December 2015 up until 31st March 2017 is Rs. 5600
• Membership fees from January 2016 up until 31st March 2017 is Rs. 5200
• Membership fees from February 2016 up until 31st March 2017 is Rs. 4800
• Membership fees from March 2016 up until 31st March 2017 is Rs. 4400
• Membership fees from April 2016 up until 31st March 2017 is Rs. 4000
Change of
address?
Leaving
Bangalore?
It is important that you let us know if you have
moved or will be moving. When preparing to move
please add “Notify OWC membership of change/
departure” to your list of things to do.
Please give the following information to the
Membership desk at Thursdays Coffee Mornings or
email [email protected] with the
following information.
Name
Membership Number
Old Address
New Address
(if moving within Bangalore)
Mobile phone number
The Rangoli − January 2016 | 37
Advertise with the OWC
With expat and NRI members from over 59 countries, the OWC is great for advertising your goods and services.
The Rangoli Magazine
Premium position ads
Back Cover
IFC (Inside Front Cover)
IBC (Inside Back Cover)
Page 5
Page 7
Request Page
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
15,000 + ST
12,000 + ST
12,000 + ST
12,000 + ST
12,000 + ST
12,000 + ST
Regular Ads
Full Page
Half Page
Quarter Page
Rs. 10,000 + ST
Rs. 5,000 + ST
Rs. 2,500 + ST
• Payment and artwork must
be received by the 1st of
the month.
• Ads must be colour only.
• Prices listed are per issue,
Service Tax (ST) extra
OWC Website: www.owcbangalore.org
Home Page Banner
Home Page Sidebar
Inner Page Side bar
Rs. 8,000 + ST
Rs. 6,000 + ST
Rs. 3,000 + ST
• Prices listed are per month,
Service Tax (ST) extra
Emailers
Rs. 4,500 + ST per booking
Ads will be sent out as an email to our members within 72 hours of
payment receipt.
New Member
Insertions:
Rs. 6,000 + ST per month
Gift voucher or promotional material is placed in the New Member
Packets given to all new members for a period of 30 days from date of
booking. An average of 50 members are accepted each month.
Should you wish to offer our members a discount/benefit/membership upon
presentation of a valid OWC Membership Card, there are two options available.
Member Benefits I: minimum spend of Rs. 40,000 + ST in Rangoli Advertising
Your business is listed in our member discounts page in The Rangoli and on the OWC Bangalore website.
Member Benefits II: minimum spend of Rs. 15,000 + ST on the OWC website and/or Emailers
Your business is listed in our member discounts page on the OWC Bangalore website only.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available:
OWC India Night
OWC Live & Silent Auction
OWC Photo Competition OWC Greeting Cards & Calendar
OWC Guidebook – In & Out of Bangalore
OWC Christmas Bazaar
OWC Pink Elephant Sale
Custom Sponsored Events
Notes:
• 10% discount on annual contract if paid in full at the time of booking
• When applicable, TDS should be deducted at 2% only and TDS form 16A must be submitted.
For any TDS related queries, please contact [email protected]
• Payments by cash or cheque payable to OVERSEAS WOMEN’S FOUNDATION BANGALORE
• Prices subject to change without notice
• The OWC does not necessarily endorse any advertisement nor accept responsibility in
connection with services advertised or rendered
• 80G REG NO: DIT(E)BLR/80G/298/AAATO1367N/ITO(E)-2/VOL.2010-11
CONTACT [email protected] FOR MORE INFORMATION
38 | The Rangoli − January 2016