IVAN VERA MATHIRI Reviews

            Based on a real-life incident, M Saravanan has itched a story for his latest movie Ivan Vera Mathiri. It is a commercial movie with a social message. Vikram Prabhu, who had a great debut in Kumki, seems to have made a right choice again as the film has given him a good opportunity to showcase his skills.

Ivan Vera Mathiri stars Vikram Prabhu and newbie Surabhi in the lead roles. Ganesh Venkatraman has played the role of a cop and Vamshi Krishna is the bad man in the film. It has Shakhti's cinematography, C Sathya's music and Sreekar Prasad's editing.

M Saravanan is inspired by an infamous real-life incident. The crisis takes the central stage after the college atmosphere turns violent with the murders of three students.Media focusses the issue and starts debate on the same.

 This is when the hero Gunasekaran, a common man, decides to fight for the cause and to punish the law minister. On the other end, he falls in love with Malini (Surabhi). But baddies kidnap her. How he fights the injustice? Will he be able to save his girlfriend? You should watch the movie to get answers to all the questions. Director Saravanan has tried hard to write a screenplay to churn out a message-oriented movie with commercial ingredients.

BIRIYANI Reviews

          Biriyani is an upcoming Indian Tamil romantic comedy thriller movie written and directed by Venkat Prabhu. Produced by Studio Green, the movie features Karthi and Hansika Motwani in the lead roles alongside Premji Amaren, Ramki, Nithin Sathya, Madhumitha and Mandy Takhar. Yuvan Shankar Raja composed the background and soundtrack for Biriyani, which marks his 100th film, while Sakthi Saravanan and Praveen-Srikanth handled cinematography and editing, respectively.

Karthi plays a play boy character and he has new look in this movie. Hansika Motwani plays a role of a journalist in this movie. Karthi and his friend Premji has a peculiar habit that after having a few drinks, they must have Biryani. During one such Biryani encounter, unexpectedly something happens and that creates changes and it leads to big issues. What are those issues, should be seen onscreen.

Stay tuned to this page for all channels critic reviews & rating..

Govt considering all options to decriminalise homosex!!

 With the Supreme Court order on gay sex creating a major uproar, the government today said it is considering all options to decriminalise homosexuality and filing a curative petition in the apex court could be one of them.   

The Government is considering all options to restore the (Delhi) High Court verdict on (Section) 377 (of IPC). We must decriminalise adult consensual relationships," Law Minister Kapil Sibal said.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the Supreme Court ruling was "wrong" and all options would be looked at to set right the Supreme Court order. Terming the judgement "disappointing", he said the court should have applied "current social and moral values" in the case.

He said the government should file a review or curative petition and that the matter should be heard by a five-bench judge. Chidambaram, the former Home Minister, said the Delhi High Court judgement was a "well-researched one" which the Union government accepted and did not challenge in the Supreme Court. He added that the government's decision of not opposing the High Court judgement in the Supreme Court was also his party's view.

Chidambaram noted that the bench that gave the order, should have referred the matter to a five-judge bench and that the interpretation of law cannot be static

TN announces 5-day state mourning for Mandela

Tamil Nadu government has announced a five-day state mourning for former South African president Nelson Mandela who died on Thursday.

An official statement from the Public (Protocol I) Department of the the state government here said as a mark of respect to the departed leader, "state mourning will be observed" till December 10, starting late on December 6.

"The national flag will be flown at half-mast throughout the state where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment," it said asking officials concerned to take all required action in this matters.

It also expressed "profound regret" over the passing away of the anti-apartheid icon, also a Bharat Ratna recipient.

Nelson Mandela: The Mahatma of our times is forever free

South Africa's first black president and the world's tallest statesman Nelson Mandela has died at his Johannesburg home. He was 95. 

Mandela, who in his lifetime became the symbol of world peace, had spent 27 of his prime years in apartheid South Africa's dingiest prisons, mostly on Robben Island, only to emerge victorious over the country's white rulers. But on Thursday, he lost his battle against a host of complicated lung diseases that saw him going in and out of ICUs for several months. 

"Our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the founding president of our democratic nation has departed," president Jacob Zuma announced. He died at 8.50pm. "Our people have lost a father. Although we knew this day was going to come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss," Zuma said. 

The first reactions were of shock as people wept on the streets. But it gave way to celebrations for a remarkable life. For many here, theAfrican National Congress leader was their only symbol of the fight against oppression. "He had done what he had to do for our country. We should not mourn his death, we should celebrate his achievements," a Mandela follower said. 

No date for the funeral was announced but Mandela would be buried in the village of Qunu, where he grew up. Virtually every world leader, including top leaders from India, are scheduled to attend the funeral. As national flags across the world slid to half-mast, India declared a 5-day state mourning for the man who was inspired by Gandhi and prevented his nation from tipping into a racial convulsion after the end of white rule. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described him as a "giant among men". 

Mandela, who walked out of prison February 11, 1990, became president four years later in an election that saw his predecessor F W de Klerk taking office as his deputy. After his prison term ended, the man, whose prolonged incarceration saw mounting sanctions on trade and sporting links with South Africa, chose a path of reconciliation and promised the white community safety under the new dispensation. 

Mandela's family had revealed a couple of days back that their beloved Madiba's health was sliding in order to prepare the country for the final moment. 

Huddled around a cell-phone tuned into a radio station on the pavement outside Mandela's house, a gathering of 100 was among those around South Africa keeping a vigil when the news broke that Mandela had breathed his last. 

The mood around the house had grown sombre on Thursday when a priest had pulled up outside his house at 10pm. There was a flurry of action as police cordoned off the pavement, following which Zuma's final announcement came. 

"I am glad he doesn't have to suffer...We will all miss him so much. Hopefully South Africa will remain the way it is, the country that he struggled for," said Nisha Chika, an elderly woman waiting outside Mandela's house.

Final GoM meet on Telangana-bill today

               GoM will hold its final meeting on Telangana draft on Wednesday, informed sources. The report is likely to be submitted to Union cabinet on Thursday. The GoM headed by Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde met on Tuesday but the meeting remained inconclusive as the members could not agree on certain subjects. Shinde said they would meet again on Wednesday. Ministers A.K. Antony, P. Chidambaram, Veerappa Moily, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jairam Ramesh and Narayanaswamy besides Shinde attended the GoM meeting. Sources said GoM has decided to recommend formation of Rayala-Telangana state by merging two of the four districts of Rayalaseema with Telangana, the region which comprises 10 districts including Hyderabad. While many leaders have been demanding Union Territory status to Hyderabad, the GoM reportedly hasn't been able to reach on a consensus regarding the Tech city.

  Meanwhile, a meeting of Congress MPs from Telangana held at central minister S. Jaipal Reddy's residence in Delhi on Tuesday night decided that the Rayala-Telangana idea is not acceptable to them.  The law ministry has reportedly prepared a draft bill for Telangana. The bill is being examined by a team of legal experts to plug the loopholes. The draft bill is likely to be given final shape in the light of GoM recommendations. 

Topics: telangana, andhra pradesh, hyderabad, rayalaseema, congress

Yummy Baingan Ka Bharta Recipe

        With the onset of winter, your taste-buds start to crave for a variety of dishes because of the easy availability of the best veggies and the fact that you appetite increases during the cold season. So, how about having a small camp fire with your family and friends in your garden or terrace? Sounds like a great idea, right? For this you also need some good activities and of course a yummy menu. Let us combine the fun with food and prepare the recipe of baingan ka bharta. Baingan ka bharta is a yummy vegetarian dish which is quite famous in North India. Sitting beside the fire people love to roast up the vegetables like brinjal, tomato, potato etc. mash and then cook it up with some of the best spices. There is nothing like having a roasted brinjal curry with hot, fluffy rotis and raw onions to go with it on a winter evening.

         So, try out this yummy baingan ka bharta recipe and give it a try. Serves: 3 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Ingredients Brinjal- 1 (large, whole) Onion- 1 (finely chopped) Garlic- 8 cloves (chopped) Ginger paste- 1tsp Tomato- 1 (chopped) Green chillies- 3 (chopped) Salt- as per taste Cumin powder- 1tsp Turmeric powder- ½ tsp Red chilli powder- ½ tsp Garam masala powder- ½ tsp Coriander leaves- 2tbsp (chopped) Oil- 1tbsp Procedure Wash the brinjal with water and make small slits on it with a knife. Smear the brinjal with a little oil on all the sides. Switch on the gas and put the brinjal directly on the heat. Roast the brinjal on flame for about 4-5 minutes. Once the brinjal turns blackish from one side and gets perfectly roasted, use tongs to turn the brinjal on the other side. Roast for another 4-5 minutes. Once the brinjal gets completely roasted on all sides, switch the flame off and put the roasted brinjal in a bowl of cold water. Doing this can help to peel the skin off the brinjal easily. Let the brinjal cool down completely, then peel off the skin from the brinjal. Transfer it to a bowl and mash the brinjal with your hands. Heat oil in a pan and fry the chopped onions and garlic for 3-4 minutes on a medium flame. Add in the ginger paste, green chillies, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder and saute for 2-3 minutes. Then mix in the tomatoes, salt and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Now add the roasted and mashed brinjal to it and fry for 2-3 minutes. Once done, switch off the flame and garnish with chopped coriander leaves. Delicious baingan ka bharta is ready to be served. Enjoy this special Desi delight with rotis or steamed rice.

HISTORY OF VISHWABRAHMINS......

Chari belong to Panchal Brahmans which is also known as Viswakarma Brahmans viswakarma created "sathyaloka", to reside brahma "vykuntha" for vishnu,"swarna lanka" to shiva,"swarga" for indra, "alakapuri" for kubera "dwaraka" for krishna likewise somany creations. all these gods are very powerful according to our puranas and they can create any thing just with a manthra, then why dont they create all these worlds without the viswakarma. viswakarma degraded surya's rays and then made "sudarshana chakra" for vishnu,"thrishul" for shiva,"vajrayudha" for indra "axe" for kalika.

They were also called as ‘Shivabrahman’. ‘Saiyadri Khanda’ of ‘Scanda Puran’ says that artist of ancient Goa is called as ‘Shaivagayatri Brahmans’. Those Chari who fled Goa during Portuguese time to prevent them being converted to Christianity & settled in Solapur district are still known as ‘Shiva Brahma Sutar’ . Chari has their origin from Manu & Maya two of the sons of Lord Vishwakarma, the Divine Architect and craftsman in ancient India. In ancient India Panchal were called as ‘Missionary of civilization, culture & religion’ since Panchal spread Vedic religion in other part of world

According to traditional belief, Vishwabrahmins are descended from five sons of lord Vishwakarma. They are Manu (blacksmith), Maya(carpenter), Thwastha (metal craftsman), Silpi (stone-carver) Vishvajnya (goldsmith). The community is spread widely throughout India and played a vital role in the village economy. Their socio-economic status varied from a very high level to the low level in different parts of India as they earned high wages in towns because of their factory employment and low in villages.

 About Vishwabrahmins Anand K. Coomaraswamy says ‘the Kammalar (i.e. Panchal) were known as Vishwa or Dev Brahman or Dev Kammalar. They spread gradually towards the south and then reached Ceylon, Burma & Java. The Kammalar claim to have been the spiritual guides and priests and their position in the society survives in the saying The Kammalar is guru to the world. They still have their own priests & do not relay on Brahman. They also perform priestly rites in connection with consecration of images. They both claim and possess various special privileges, which they always upheld with much vigour, in some cases they claim a rank equal to that of Brahmans.” He also mentions “throughout the rest of ceremony all priest officers had been performed by the craftsman themselves acting as Brahman priest”

Dr. Krishna Rao says “The most highly organized & efficient of the industrial classes was Virpanchal comprising of Goldsmith, coiner blacksmith, carpenter and mason. In finest period of Indian art particularly between eighth and ninth century, they claimed and enjoyed a social status in the community, equal to Brahmans. The art of engraving & sculpture had attained a high stage of development. It was exclusively cultivated by Panchals who wore sacred thread & considered themselves as Vishwakarma Brahmans. The craftsman being deeply versed in national epic literature always figured in the history of India as missionaries of civilization, culture & religion. The intellectual influence being creative & not merely assimilative was at least as great as that of the priest and the author”

Panchal are called as Missionaries of civilization, culture & religion because they spread Hindu Religion to the whole world through their art. Ernest B. Havell says “The northern quarter of (Patliputra) was assigned to Brahmans & certain of the higher craftsman such as armor, ironsmiths & workers in precious stones. The association of skilled craftsmen with Brahmans & Kshatriya is additional evidence that craftsmanship did not hold inferior status in Indo Aryan society.

The Stapathy or master builder is described in the Shilpa Shastra as officiating at religious ceremonies which preceded the laying out of the Indo Aryan town or village and some of the metal worker& carpenter of the south of India still retains as their caste indication the name Acharya which denotes a teacher of religion”. In ancient India Vishwabrahmins had great importance. Only Vishwabrahmins could hold the degree Jagatgur i.e. Guru to whole world which can be seen in the saying ‘Kammalar is guru to the world’.

Best Dressed Celebrities At AMAs 2013

Alicia Silverstone 

Alicia looked pretty in a short metallic black and golden Nicole Miller cocktail dress. Black Stella McCartney pumps look chic.

Ariana Grande 

Wearing a sequin red Dolce and Gabbana, Ariana looked mesmerising. However, we are quite bored of the same hairdo that Ariana is carrying off lately!

Christina Aguilera 

Christina flaunted her svelte figure in a white side thigh high slit Maria Lucia Hohan gown which had cut-out details on the waist. The silver Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo bag completed her red carpet look at AMAs 2013.

Heidi Klum 

Heidi looked gorgeous in a black lace and frilly Marchesa gown from the Spring 2014 collection.

Katy Perry 

She was one of the best dressed celebrities at the AMAs 2013 red carpet. Katy is wearing an Oscar de la Renta ball gown. The floral motifs in pink and red looked classy.

Kendall Jenner 

Kendall also decided to go all white. She wore a short Keepsake top and skirt with Manolo Blahnik white pumps. The layered Dylanex necklace looked sexy for the red carpet look.

Taylor Swift 

Taylor Swift glittered in gold and she showed off her well toned slim figure. Taylor wore a very short Julien Macdonald mini-dress which had a frilly hemline. The golden Jimmy Choo heels looked gorgeous.

Kesha 

Kesha looked pretty and classy in a black Michael Costello thigh high slit gown that featured a flower on the slit end. Just love her T-shaped black Giuseppe Zanotti heels.

Lady Gaga Lady 

Gaga entered the AMAs 2013 red carpet on a fake white horse. She was wearing a lavender Versace dress from Spring 2014 collection. The ditto dress was worn by Lady gaga in one of the pictures during the photoshoot of Versace as the new face.

Lady Gaga 

Later Lady Gaga was seen wearing a silver strapless slit gown by Versace again!

Miley Cyrus 

Miley looked classy in an all white Versus Versace suit which featured golden pins on the side of the jacket. She wore it with Saint Laurent black pumps.

Zendaya Coleman 

Zendaya also wore a plain white dress and was one of the best dressed at AMAs 2013 red carpet. She wore a white Donna Karan high low hemline dress with Christian Louboutin shoes.

Naya Rivera 

OMG! Is it Naya? She is looking smoking hot in this body con floor sweeping Michael Kors gown. It featured a keyhole neck plunging neckline which flaunted her curvy cleavage.

Rihanna 

Rihanna flaunted her skin in a sequin black bra and a lace skirt. Later we saw Rihanna wearing a black and silk gown. Both these black outfits were from Jean Paul Gaultier Couture.

Mahabalipuram Temples

History of Mahabalipuram Temples

Situated at a distance of 58-km from Chennai, Mahabalipuram has everything that creates a site memorable; tradition, history, piety, western annals, and current importance as a centre of tourism.

Mahabalipuram is situated near to Chennai (Madras) on the shoreline of the Bay of Bengal, along the Indian eastern coast. Known for its stones designs and monolithic statues it has the popular shore temple, the only one to have live through the problems of characteristics. Also known as the Seven Pagodas (temples), six now lie engrossed in the sea. Mahabalipuram temples whose structure was motivated by the Pallava Art were designed during the interval 830 - 1100 AD.

Mahabalipuram contains nearly 40 monuments of different kinds such as an "open air bas relief" which is the biggest in the world. For hundreds of years it has been a center of pilgrimage, and even today it attracts devotees and foreigners in large numbers.

There are two low mountains in Mahabalipuram, about 400m from the sea whose both factors have 11 excavated temples, known as Mandapas. Out of a big stone status no cost close by there is a "cut out" temple, known as a "Ratha". This type is unique to Mahabalipuram.

Out of the other mountain, much smaller and status about 200m to the south, are created five more rathas, and three big statues of a Nandi, a Loin and an Elephant. On the top of the larger mountain there is a architectural temple, and a little distance the spectacular origins of a Vijayanagar Gopura and also survivals of what is believed to be a palace.

The Five Rathas

The five Rathas consist of The Dharmaraja, The Bhima, The Arjuna, The Draupadi and The Sahadeva. The Five Rathas, about 200 m south of the primary mountain, were created out of less sized mountain sloping down from the southern. From the greatest aspect was created the biggest of the five rathas, the Dharmaraja. Then followed onwards north, in the descending order of height, the Bhima, the Arjuna and the Draupadi.

A little to the west of Draupadi there was a comparatively large rock and out of it the Sahadeva Ratha was made. Instantly at the front side of the Draupadi again two small stones were created into an elephant and a lion. Behind the Draupadi and the Arjuna, which stand on a common base, there is a Nandi.

The Shore Temple :

The Shore Temple occupies a most outstanding site at the very edge of the Bay of Bengal so that at high tide the waves sweep into it and the walls. Because of this their statues, have been eroded by the winds and waves of thirteen centuries.

The Shrines In The Shore Temple :

There are 3 shrines in the Shore Temple. Two of them are of Saiva and the third is of Vaishnava, with an picture of Lord Anantasayi created of live rock. There are Vimanas over the Saiva (also spelt as Shaiv or Shaiva) shrines, but none over the third; it seems to have disappeared with time. Designed by Narasimha Varman II Rajasimha, the maker of the Kailasanatha temple in Kanchipuram in the 8th century, this is one of the first architectural temples in Tamil Nadu.

Temple Of Sthalasayana Perumal :

To the north of the bigger hill there is the temple of Sthalasayana Perumal. To the west of the five Rathas there are three more rathas, two side by side. About 600 m north of Mahabalipuram, along the shore, is Saluvankuppam, where there are spectacular excavated temples and, near it, a stone Mandapa with competition leads along its outside, known as the "Tigers Cave". Between Saluvankuppam and Mahabalipuram, less than 200m from the sea, appears another architectural temple, the Mukunda Nayanar.

Each and every one of these monuments of different kinds, architectural temple, excavated temple "cut out" temple, "open air bas relief", in addition to statues and Mandapas to be found here and there, is important and exciting. The Coast temple, the famous "open air bas relief" known as "Arjuna's Penance", the Mahishamardhani and the Adivaraha "Cave" temples and the Five Rathas are the especial rewards of the visitor. All the monuments are Pallava except that the unique Sthalasayana Perumal temple was extended in Vijayanagar periods. To the Chola periods connected a Mandapa at the entrance to the township.

Mahabalipuram is one of the beautiful places in south India. It has dream world of tamil arts.Mahabalipuram was a 7th century port city of the South Indian dynasty of the Pallavas, 60 km south from Chennai in Tamil Nadu.

Home Remedies To Remove Skin Tags

1. Ginger

Take raw ginger and make it into pieces and rub it on skin tags daily up to 2-weeks automatically tags will fall down slowly.

2.Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a best preferable remedy for removing skin tags.Apply a dab of cider vinegar on cotton ball and apply it on the affected area it cause some pain for few minutes.Repeat this process 25 to 45 days to vanish your skin tags permanently.

3.pineapple

Take pineapple juice and apply it on affected area 3-times in a day.do this 7 to 10 days without rinse it off .

4.Onion juice

Take onion and make it into slices keep it in a container with added salt 8-10 hours.morning make juice with that mixture and in the evening apply this juice on tags leave it overnight and wash it in the morning.do this process every night for 10 days.

5.banana peel

Take banana peel and apply it on affected area and cover up with bandages overnight, in the morning remove the bandage and rinse it off with water and repeat this every night until the skin tag will cut off from skin.

Dhanush to work with Big B and R Balki

Tamil actor Dhanush, who scored a hit with Bollywood debut "Raanjhanaa", has joined hands with filmmaker R. Balki for a yet-untitled Hindi project, which will also feature megastar Amitabh Bachchan in an important role. He couldn't be happier.

"Yes guys, my next Hindi film is with Balki sir. (I'm) very excited and eagerly looking forward to it. (I'm) privileged to share screen space with Big B himself and ecstatic to be part of Raja sir's musical again," posted Dhanush on his Twitter page.
This is the third time Balki has teamed up with Big B and composer Illayaraja after "Paa" and "Cheeni Kum".

Reportedly, actor Kamal Haasan's younger daughter Akshara will make her cinematic debut with the film.

Dhanush is currently busy shooting for Tamil projects "Velaiyilla Pattathari" and "Anegan".

Animation film Mahabharat's movie trailer out

Producer Jayantilal Gada recently released the trailer of his ambitious 3D animation project: Mahabharat.

The grand epic that has seen countless versions over the years, has got its first ever animation makeover. This also marks the epic tale's first move towards the big cinema screen. 
The high budget film reportedly comes with an enviable cast of actors - Amitabh Bachchan has lend his voice to Bhishma, while Sunny Deol does the same for Bheem, Draupadi owes her voice to Vidya Balan, and Yudhistir to Manoj Bajpai. Actor Ajay Devgan too has lend his voice to Arjun, Anil Kapoor voices Karna, Jackie Shroff voices Duryodhan and Anupam Kher will be heard playing Shakuni. 

The other interesting bit about the film is the fact that the characters bear a strong resembalnce to the actors lending them their voices. This, of course, was a planned effort on the makers' side.

Considering this is Mahabharat we're talking about, it should come as no surprise that people are already unhappy. Why? Because reportredly Sita has been portrayed as a little on the plus side, and for generations who are only used to a slimmer version of the poster child for Indian brides, this bit has been hard to digest.

That aside, chew on this thought for a while. The film is reportedly the most expensive animated film made here.

Cautious Anna says he didn't speak to Kejriwal as his phone is being tapped

Arvind Kejriwal and Anna Hazare

Veteran anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday launched a veiled attack on the UPA government alleging that his phone was under surveillance.

Talking to Headlines Today, the Gandhian said he refrained from speaking to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal and wrote him a letter instead to avoid the tapping of his phone.

"I did not speak with Arvind Kejriwal on phone because my phone is being tapped. I am very cautious, so I wrote letter to Arvind," Hazare said, adding, "There is no one stopping Arvind from meeting me."

He, however, said that he expected Kejriwal to directly communicate with him through letter rather than addressing his concerns before media or social media. "Arvind should not have gone open with the letter I had written to him," Hazare said.

He also questioned AAP's claims to ensure a strong Lokpal, saying, "How can Arvind bring Lokpal in Vidhan Sabha? He brought out pamphlets saying they will bring Lokpal."

Hazare feigned ignorance about protester Nachiketa, who had heckled Kejriwal at a press conference in Delhi on Monday claiming to be a BJP worker and supporter of the Gandhian. "I don't know who this Nachiketa is... I have never met him. I don't know him," he said.

"If I try to bring down Arvind or defame him then other parties will benefit. I am not doing any such thing... Kumar Vishwas (AAP leader) wanted me to give in writing that Arvind is good, but I refused," he said.

"I am against political parties. There is no provision in constitution also. I will never support any party or individual... There is no democracy in the country," Hazare said.

"Change can be brought only through andolan and not by political parties. Movement is the future of this country," he said.

Hazare, however, said, "I have no opposition to Arvind forming a party... What difference does it make with one more party when there are so many others?"

"Arvind is a nice person and honest... There are no differences between us, but my doubts should be cleared," he said.

Is your handbag going to give you arthritis (Inflammation of a joint or joints)?

Stuffed full with a purse, mobile phone, umbrella, diary, make-up bag, book and water bottle, it’s no surprise the average handbag weighs nearly half a stone.

Studies show half of women suffer pain from carrying heavy handbags — and now men are also suffering, according to new research by the British Chiropractic Association.

‘Heavy man-bags — weighing, on average, 6.2 kg — put unbalanced strain and stress on the body, which can lead to pain, poor posture and health problems,’ says Rishi Loatey, of the British Chiropractic Association.

‘I’ve noticed a spike in patients experiencing pain in the neck and upper back due to carrying around heavy loads more frequently,’ he adds.

To see exactly how our bodies change when carrying a bag, I went along to Bupa’s Centre for Sports Medicine Excellence in Barbican, London.

There, my movements while walking were recorded and analysed — both with and without my weighty 9 lb-plus handbag — to see the effects. The results were startling.

‘Carrying a bag has a huge impact on posture and movement,’ says Bupa physiotherapist Russell Stocker. ‘Though you might not notice it, your body dramatically adapts and compensates. This was even more pronounced when wearing high heels.’

NECK

When you carry a bag, your neck naturally leans away from the load to help carry and balance the weight.

This causes tension on the carrying side of the neck and compression on the opposite side.

‘Craning your neck means increasing the distance between the neck and the shoulder,’ says Russell.

The problem is that this is just where a bundle of nerves come together (forming the brachial plexus) before running into the arm; the strain can lead to neck pain and muscle inflammation.

Over time, this could trigger an ‘acute episode’, he says — the muscles can spasm, restricting movement and causing pain.

SHOULDERS AND BACK

The shoulder bearing the load is rotated backwards and raised all the time, explains Russell.

This affects the muscles running down the upper back, the shoulder blades and those supporting the spine — they tire and spasm.

As Bupa orthopaedic physician Dr Leon Creaney, explains: ‘Fatigued muscles won’t hold the spine correctly, so it will slip into poor posture — slumped with curved back and shoulders.’

Long term, this can lead to painful arthritis in the facet joints. These are tiny joints running all the way along the spine on either side The vertebrae and the discs — the ‘cushions’ of cartilage that sit between the vertebrae — could also be affected.

‘The side of the body not carrying the bag leans away from it, crunching the lower back on this side, while extending it further on the other,’ adds Russell.
This compresses the vertebrae, wearing them down.

Carrying a heavy bag can, over time, also cause disc degeneration and prolapse, says Dr Creaney. This is when the soft tissue inside the disc ruptures out of it, pressing on the nerves.

‘This can be agonising, and even require surgery’ he explains — ‘and carrying a heavy bag could lead to faster disc degeneration.

‘Bearing a heavy load on one side could also cause the spinal nerves to become irritated or compressed — possibly leading to sciatica (pain in the buttock and thigh), which is also very painful.’

ARMS

Shoulder_Pain

The arm carrying the bag remains very static while walking to keep the load still and balanced.

‘This is quite different to the natural swinging movement we make when walking,’ says Russell.

‘Without the normal arm swing used as a balance mechanism, this can make you slightly unsteady and actually mean you need greater effort to move forwards.’
The nerves in the arms can also become irritated by the pressure of the bag, leading to chronic pain.

HIPS AND LEGS

In the long term, women can develop arthritis from increased pressure. ‘Carrying a bag makes you walk differently, and that changes the way forces act through the skeletal system, which could cause problems and pain,’ says Russell.

The greater the load of the bag, the more pressure on the leg joints. Over a long period, force on the knees can cause wear and tear and joint problems.
‘With a heavy bag you also take shorter steps — an adaptation your body probably makes to control the load better and remain upright,’ he adds.

THE BEST WAY TO SHOULDER THAT LOAD

Limit loads and try to distribute the weight you’re carrying, says Dr Creaney. ‘If you don’t want to wear a rucksack, then consider separating your possessions into two bags.

Slimline_Backpack

‘When carrying one bag, do so for the shortest time possible and switch sides at regular intervals, giving muscles on either side a chance to rest.’

A bag with wide straps will better distribute the pressure across the shoulder.

‘The weight should be as close as possible to your centre of mass, which is around the pelvis area,’ Dr Creaney adds. So a bumbag would be ideal, physically, if not fashionably.

Tim Hutchful, a chiropractor from the British Chiropractic Association, recommends a satchel-style bag with a strap that crosses the body diagonally, balancing the weight.

‘And straps should be as short as possible, so the bag is close to your body and doesn’t swing,’ he says. ‘Long straps would let it move with momentum as you walk, and bump into your hips, back or knees.

‘If you carry a laptop, use a case with a rucksack design.’

Carrying a bag in the crook of your arm is no better than on the shoulder, however.

‘Overloading the bicep for a prolonged period — especially when the arm is at a 90-degree angle — can lead to pain in the arms,’ says Hutchful.

‘And when hung on one arm the bag is further away from the body’s point of balance. Imbalance is bad for posture and can lead to discomfort.’

Ultimately bags must be kept as light as possible; a recent study found that even female hikers, who wear proper backpacks and footwear, need to limit loads to prevent musculoskeletal problems.

‘The best advice,’ says Russell, ‘would be using a small suitcase instead of a bag, putting your possessions in that and pulling it along behind you.’

So what did this experiment teach me? That the wear and tear from my handbag is making my body old before my time. While I’m not about to clip on a bumbag, I will now carry the real necessities only, and start looking for fashionable rucksacks.

CHOGM for equitible economic development

The 23rd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) ended here on Sunday with the release of a communiqué which said that the right to equitable economic development and political rights could not be seen in isolation from each other.  

The Heads of Government recognised the right to equitable development as an “integral part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.” The right to sustainable development, protection of the environment, access to health, education, food, jobs, shelter, freedom of migration, and international peace and security were portrayed as being inseparable from the more generally accepted human rights such as the right to democracy, tolerance, freedom of expression, and the rule of law. “The Heads emphasised that these values were inter-related and mutually reinforcing,” the communiqué said.

The South African President, Jacob Zuma, told the media that ways to reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 claimed the attention of the Heads, most of the time.

The problems of the developing countries, especially the smaller among them, and terms of international trade, were the predominant concern of the 51 countries in attendance.

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