Author: The Metrognome

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Do

Pest proof your home

Pests can make your life miserable and your home inhabitable. Treat the problem before it gets completely out of hand.
by Reyna Mathur

All houses are attacked by pests at some point in time. While some infestations are minor and can be handled swiftly, others remain hidden for some time and quickly become unmanageable.

The problem normally starts with the entry of ants, which are then followed by cockroaches. In houses that are not dusted regularly and which are located in areas of dense traffic and construction activity, there will be an abundance of dust mites on the furniture and clothes. After cockroaches settle in and begin to multiply, they will be followed by lizards. In the meantime, if bed bugs have entered the home, they wreak their own havoc.

Don’t subject yourself to this torture. Once pests make an entry into the home, it takes a lot of effort and money to clean out the house in its entirety. It is not a problem that goes away forever after one bout, you have to be on your vigil. But if you take the right steps on time, you can save yourself a lot of trouble later.

This is what you should do:

Examine all wet areas. The wet areas of the home are the bathroom, toilet, wash basin and kitchen sink. Moisture is omnipresent in these areas, however much you try to keep them clean and dry. However, your cleaning routine in these areas should include a strong disinfectant cleaner. Wipe down all surfaces at least twice a week to discourage fungal growth, and spray all water traps with insect killers thrice a week at night. Cockcroaches tend to come out of these traps from water pipes, so they should be discouraged at the earliest. If there are any places that remain moist even without direct contact with water, have them checked for hidden leakages. Wet areas breed vegetation, mosquitoes, and certain types of bugs and worms, and are most prone to attack.

Enlist the help of a pest control agency. The first line of attack should always be launched by a good pest control system involving sprays, gels and powders. A basic pest control clean-up will comprise three rounds of spraying and powder-treating all vertical and some horizontal surfaces of the home with chemicals to repel ants, bugs, dust mites, cockroaches and lizards. Bed bug infestations will have to checked every 10 days for a month with intensive sprays in the affected areas. Borer infestations are normally controlled by special anti-borer sprays and gels with two spells of treatment. If you have rats in the house, you will require a multi-pronged strategy requiring sprays, foods laced with poison, adhesive surfaces to which the animal will adhere, and also rat traps. Explain the situation in detail to the pest control company, and they will suggest the course of treatment to you.

Bird-proof your windows. Birds are not pests, but when allowed to enter the home, they can cause infestations. Of the birds present in the cities, pigeons are the most prone to enter the homes looking for nesting places. Their droppings contain carbon compounds that cause respiratory disorders in humans and pets, and their feathers contain dust mites. Too often we ignore birds’ feathers that blow into our homes with the breeze, but we must get rid of them at once because they house several bacteria that can cause allergies and pests. A simple remedy is to install a wire mesh on your windows so that birds cannot get in. When you leave water outside the windows for the birds to drink, be sure to examine the area every day, since crows have a tendency to drop hard food like animal bones and tough rotis inside the water to soften them. This gives rise to a column of ants and bugs that are attracted to the carcass and which soon enter the home.

Examine your pets for ticks and mites. Dogs and cats have hidden ticks and mites inside their fur, and these soon multiply if the pet’s skin is not cleaned thoroughly. Chemists and pet shops stock several sprays and dips to clean out mites, and you can also invest in a firm comb to remove the animals hiding in the fur. You must get rid of these animals at the earliest, because over time, they can also infest your furniture and wherever the pet is accustomed to sleeping. They can also pose a danger to very young children who constantly play with the pet.

(Picture courtesy www.in.all.biz. Image is used for representational purpose only)

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grey space

My son doesn’t want me to marry again

Hirendra Sampat is 64, divorced and wants to get married. But his son doesn’t approve. What is to be done?
As told to Vrushali Lad

He says he is ’embarassed’ that I am thinking of ‘such horrible things’ at my age. He says he will leave me and never come back to check on me if I insist on doing what I wish to do. Even my daughter-in-law has been giving me strange looks for a few days now. They think I am being perverted, obscene.

I want to get married.

My wife and I parted ways after 15 years of marriage. We parted amicably – a few months after we were married, she told me that she had been in love with somebody else. I had been, too. My parents had opposed my affair with a girl from college. So in that sense, both my wife and I were in the same boat. We were married to each other because our parents wished it so. But though we were never completely happy with each other, we were never cold or cruel to each other. She managed the home well, I earned enough money for our family. We had a son after two years of marriage.

Then one day she decided to separate from me. I did not stop her. I think my son holds that against me, that I allowed the divorce to go through. Though I got custody of my son, I never stopped my wife from visiting us often, she was even welcome to come and stay whenever she felt like it. She now lives in Bangalore with her sister.

In the last two years, I met a lady at the local library where I have been a member for over 20 years. I had never seen her before, though I learnt later that she was also a member for many years. She and I were looking for a copy of the same book that had not yet been returned. We started talking to each other, exchanging notes on the books we had come to return that day. I asked her when she came to the library, she said, ‘Every Monday, if possible’. The next Monday I went to the library again. And every Monday after that.

She is a wonderful person – outgoing, warm, unattached. We share a common love for books and gardening. I want to get married to her, so I proposed and she said yes. But when I told my son this, all hell broke loose at home.

“How can you think of all these things at your age?” he asked. “Everybody will laugh. Are you so young that you think you will get married at this age?” He is disgusted that I am thinking of having sex at my age and bringing a woman into the house.

It has been three months since I told him about my plans. My fiancee says, “Be patient. He will come around.” I worry that he won’t. His life is set with a wife and small child. It does not occur to him that I need a companion, too.

‘Grey Space’ is a weekly column on senior citizen issues. If you have an anecdote or leagl information, or anything you feel is useful to senior citizens, caregives and the society at large, feel free to get it published in this space. Write to editor@themetrognome.in or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Themetrognome.in and we will publish your account.

(Picture courtesy www.oratechsolve.com. Image is used for representational purpose only)

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Beauty

10 reasons to rock those curves

In an age where fat shaming and body image issues prevail, we list 10 reasons why you should celebrate your curves.
by Beverley Lewis

Skinny models have always been featured on catwalks, pages of fashion magazines and coffee table books. The status quo, in fashion, has always been the skinny girl. But, things are now changing for curvy women, thanks to some bloggers, plus-size models, fashionistas and even advertising campaigns, which have been gushing about curvy women. Even popular artists like Meghan Trainor have been pushing the body positive manifesto with songs about embracing one’s curves. So, without further ado, here’s are our top 10 reasons for embracing and flaunting your inner Vidya Balan.

1. You don’t need to spend your hard-earned money on padded bras or implants.

2. If Danish researchers are to be believed, curvy women are more likely to live longer than their skinny counterparts because our hip fat contains anti-inflammatory properties, which may prevent the arteries from getting clogged. So, good news for most Indian women.

3. Curvy women’s bodies are perfect for cuddling and hugging.

4. Some of the sexiest women like Beyonce, Sonakshi Sinha and Salma Hayek have stunning curves, which they are not afraid to flaunt.

5. Most curvy girls enjoy a hearty curry now and again and are not afraid to reach for seconds and then finish off with dessert.

6. Since most curvy girls like eating good food, we do know our way around the kitchen.

7. We still haven’t jumped on the whole gluten-free bandwagon and enjoy a dish full of pasta or a nice big bowl of rajma chawal, guilt-free.

8. According to a study conducted by Oxford University, curvy women with big butts are more likely to have healthy children because their bodies contain high amount of Omega-3 fatty acids. Another reason to celebrate that booty.

9. Just walk into the Louvre or simply visit the temples of Khajuraho and you’ll see that in the past, curvy women have always been associated with beauty and sex appeal.

10. Men can’t resist women with curves. Scientific research proves that men are genetically wired to be sexually attracted to a woman with curves.  So, go ahead ladies, shake what your mama gave you.

(Picture courtesy wallpapers.brothersoft.com)

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Enough said

Saudi Arabia’s not doing so well

…in the news, that is. Three separate and grisly incidents have focussed a harsh spotlight on one of the world’s richest countries.
Humra Quraishiby Humra Quraishi

This month has not been a kind one for Saudi Arabia. The country has been thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

First came the crane tragedy at Mecca that killed hundreds of pilgrims and injured more than 300 people. Such a thing has been unheard of in this country, and it rightly shook Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world when the news first broke. At the moment, an official fact finding mission is on to ascertain the cause of the accident, there are thousands of rumours swirling about the place.

Theories ranging from sabotage to foul play by foreign players are constantly doing the rounds. What really happened out there?

Then the country put its foot firmly in its mouth with its ‘offer’ to build mosques in Germany if the latter takes in Syrian refugees. Not only is this offer bizarre but it borders on the idiotic. Firstly, why would Germany need this country’s intervention to build mosques on its land? Why would it need to build mosques in the first place? And second, what stops Saudi Arabia from taking in the Syrian refugees themselves? This is a country with more money and land than it knows what to do with. It can easily offer help and refuge while it sets up schools, hospitals, food canteens and camps for the Syrian refugees.

But no, it contends itself with making strange proposals to other countries after asking them to help those in need. What is the Government thinking, and why the studied silence on the issue of accepting refugees through its own borders?

And then there was the news of the Saudi diplomat accused of raping and torturing his Nepalese domestic help and her daughter in New Delhi. There is no concrete conclusion in the case yet and the man himself remains out of the public eye owing to his diplomatic immunity. How long does it take to complete such an investigation? Or are there wheels within wheels, due to which the investigation is taking so much time?

Questions that nobody is willing to answer…

Humra Quraishi is a senior political journalist based in Gurgaon. She is the author of Kashmir: The Untold Story and co-author of Simply Khushwant. Her latest book Dagars and Dhrupad is out now.

(Picture courtesy www.ndtv.com)

Categories
Film

Review: Pawn Sacrifice

A fine piece of work on chess, battling a mental illness and becoming a champion, this one is a must-watch.
by Ravi Shet

Rating: 4 out of 5

Director Edward Zwick’s Pawn Sacrifice is a film based on rise and fall of American chess legend, Bobby Fischer. Young Bobby (Aiden Lovekamp) stays with his mother sister in Brooklyn. Bobby becomes a chess champion at the age of 12, but his home life is in turmoil owing to his mother’s relationship with another man. He even orders her out of the home because he needs complete peace and quiet to focus on chess.

In 1962, the adult Bobby (Tobey Maguire) goes to Bulgaria for a chess championship event, but he leaves mid-way after accusing the Russians of cheating. Vowing never to play chess again, he lives in ignominy for three years before lawyer Paul Marshall (Michael Stuhlbarg) approaches Bobby and asks him to represent his country in a chess tournament. Paul even arranges a meeting of Bobby with William Lombardy (Peter Sarsgaard), an American grandmaster and a priest.

 

Bobby agrees to participate in the match as part of a US and Soviet Union diplomacy initiative. Soviet Union gives star treatment to Boris Spassky (Liev Schreiber), Soviet Grandmaster and world champion while Fischer has to depend on donations and cheap lodgings. In the match, however, Boris loses to Bobby badly and leaves the venue. This sets the stage for a classic rivalry between the two players, culminating in the legendary Game 6 match that still enjoys cult status in the chess world.

Tobey Maguire is top notch in portraying’s Bobby’s many insecurities and frustration. The film is paced well, focussing on Bobby’s genius and a mind hard at work thinking up chess moves and also battling its own demons. This is a must-watch for lovers of great acting and excellent storytelling.

(Picture courtesy hypebeast.com)

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Kharcha paani

Cheaper to buy space in city malls?

ASSOCHAM report finds that mall space in Mumbai and other metros has dropped by 30% rental value with lower footfalls.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Rising inflation and higher living costs have taken a toll on our favourite pastime: shopping. Tighter budgets are prompting many Indians to stay away from shopping malls. This has resulted in lower footfalls and high losses for retailers. On the other hand, if you are looking to buy shop space in a mall, now might be a good time to do it.

As per a new study published by ASSOCHAM (Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India), a “slowdown in consumer footfalls, coupled with online shopping that provides convenience of delivery at door steps, have led to troubles for the shopping malls which are suffering 20 to 25% vacancy rates and 30% drop in rentals in the last one year.” The study finds that this trend runs parallel to a global one, where declining footfalls in retail space in over 200 shopping malls across the US, UK and other countries has lowered commercial space rentals. In the US, the malls are facing 46% vacancy rates whereas malls in UK are impacted by 32%.

“On the other hand, the  Indian e-commerce industry appears to be unaffected by the demand slowdown and is likely to clock a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35% and cross the $100-billion mark in value over the next five years,” the study finds, pegging the e-commerce industry in India presently at $17 billion.

Continuing on the strong growth momentum of 2015, the e-commerce industry is estimated to see a 72% increase in the average annual spending on online purchases per individual in 2016 from the current level of 65%, the study said. Online shopping mainly focusses on purchasing electronics, books, music, apparel, sporting and outdoor goods.

“It is true that the online shopping has shown handsome growth while the brick and mortar malls are witnessing slowdown. It looks that the growth in e-commerce looks impressive because of quite a low base and increasing penetration of internet,” ASSOCHAM Secretary General DS Rawat said. “The brick and mortar outlets on high streets and inside malls are trying to hold on through lower prices and deals. In India, sales in shopping malls have dipped by 25 to 30% and footfalls by 15 to 20% compared to the same period last year.”

There were around 50 operational malls in 2005, a number that rose to 610 in 2015 in top 10 cities. Additionally, with improvement in infrastructure such as logistics, broadband and Internet-ready devices, there is likely to be a significant increase in the number of consumers making purchases online, the study said. It estimates around 65 million consumers in India to buy online in 2015, as against around 40 million in 2014.

“The challenges of suburban sprawl, worsening automotive traffic, rising fuel prices and the increased difficulty of time management in modern families have made going to the mall a planned activity,” adds the paper.

Mobile technology is also having a huge impact on brick and mortar retail. Amazon recently reported that roughly 8 to 10% percent of their total sales are being generated by mobile devices, and expect this trend to continue upwards.

(Picture courtesy www.indiantravels.com. Image is used for representational purpose only)

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