Hoihnu Hauzel
Just a few weeks ago, we read a disturbing racist report in a national paper on how NE girls are accused of being drug peddlers. Yet another racist remark from yet another paper on Sunday. Please refer to an article "Spa with a difference" in page 3, of Times Life, Times of India's Sunday supplement.
"Walk into a spa which has music, scented aroma candles, but you'll meet a professional doctor rather than a Linda from the Northeast."
I am quite unsure why that reference is made. But it is in a bad and derogatory manner. I don't quite see the connection between "a Linda from the Northeast" and the author's story which is attempting to report on a booming medispa in the city. If you recall, a couple of months ago, a nurse from Manipur by name Linda did made it to the news for her supposed role in being a party to the kidney-scam. I am not quite sure whether the writer, Nona, is trying to make a mockery of people from the region by loosely making such a stark racist remark. I don't see the link between an illegal kidney transplant story and her medispa story.
But whatever she has in mind, it is disturbing and upsetting that a media house like Times of India, be allowing its vigilant eye to miss out this racist and uncalled for line against a particular section of our diverse country's community. It's such an uneducated piece which only reflects the limited sensitivity and knowledge of the writer.
It is certainly not in a positive light that the reference is made. I appeal to all readers to refer to the article and understand the depth of disrespect that is shown towards NE in particular. We cannot allow just any journalist to pick up his or her pen and start penning against any community in the country least of all NE.
At the same time, we must understand that we are a soft target in everything that we do. And this, calls for utmost responsibility to all individuals to be extra careful of our actions.
While we may condemn any anti-social acts like nurse Linda's supposedly role in the kidney scam, we also know that she definitely isn't the only nurse doing what she is doing. Perhaps, there are lots of unnamed nurses from other regions of the country playing the same or even more significant role in the scam. It is unfortunate that just because Linda looks different and stands out in the crowd, she has been an easy and soft target. Hence, the punishment while others are scot free.
The point am trying to make here is, we ought to be so careful of what we do and why we do what we do. We are fighting a silent battle of prejudice and that's quite difficult battle. We can win the battle by proving people wrong by dint of our honesty, hard work and sincerity. We are all responsible to a great extend in projecting the right image of our fellow brothers and sisters from the Northeast.
As for the report in TOI, may I request each of you to pick up your pen and shoot your mails at:
nona.walia@timesgroup.com
Just a few weeks ago, we read a disturbing racist report in a national paper on how NE girls are accused of being drug peddlers. Yet another racist remark from yet another paper on Sunday. Please refer to an article "Spa with a difference" in page 3, of Times Life, Times of India's Sunday supplement.
"Walk into a spa which has music, scented aroma candles, but you'll meet a professional doctor rather than a Linda from the Northeast."
I am quite unsure why that reference is made. But it is in a bad and derogatory manner. I don't quite see the connection between "a Linda from the Northeast" and the author's story which is attempting to report on a booming medispa in the city. If you recall, a couple of months ago, a nurse from Manipur by name Linda did made it to the news for her supposed role in being a party to the kidney-scam. I am not quite sure whether the writer, Nona, is trying to make a mockery of people from the region by loosely making such a stark racist remark. I don't see the link between an illegal kidney transplant story and her medispa story.
But whatever she has in mind, it is disturbing and upsetting that a media house like Times of India, be allowing its vigilant eye to miss out this racist and uncalled for line against a particular section of our diverse country's community. It's such an uneducated piece which only reflects the limited sensitivity and knowledge of the writer.
It is certainly not in a positive light that the reference is made. I appeal to all readers to refer to the article and understand the depth of disrespect that is shown towards NE in particular. We cannot allow just any journalist to pick up his or her pen and start penning against any community in the country least of all NE.
At the same time, we must understand that we are a soft target in everything that we do. And this, calls for utmost responsibility to all individuals to be extra careful of our actions.
While we may condemn any anti-social acts like nurse Linda's supposedly role in the kidney scam, we also know that she definitely isn't the only nurse doing what she is doing. Perhaps, there are lots of unnamed nurses from other regions of the country playing the same or even more significant role in the scam. It is unfortunate that just because Linda looks different and stands out in the crowd, she has been an easy and soft target. Hence, the punishment while others are scot free.
The point am trying to make here is, we ought to be so careful of what we do and why we do what we do. We are fighting a silent battle of prejudice and that's quite difficult battle. We can win the battle by proving people wrong by dint of our honesty, hard work and sincerity. We are all responsible to a great extend in projecting the right image of our fellow brothers and sisters from the Northeast.
As for the report in TOI, may I request each of you to pick up your pen and shoot your mails at:
nona.walia@timesgroup.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's Hoihnu's mail to Nona Walia
Dear Nona,
Just a few weeks ago, we read a disturbing racist report in a national paper on how NE girls are accused of being drug peddlers. Your Sunday story "Spa with a Difference" is yet another example of how media is so callous in its approach to loosely make stark racist remark against a particular community. Quite unmindful of the fact that we live in a country which is so colourful and diverse like no other country in the world.
"Walk into a spa which has music, scented aroma candles, but you'll meet a professional doctor rather than a Linda from the Northeast."
I don't quite see the connection between "a Linda from the Northeast" and your attempt at telling a story on a booming trend on medispa. In fact, I will be quite happy if you can enlighten me with the link between the two.
If I am correct, it seems you were trying to refer to Linda, the nurse from Manipur, who was recently held for her supposed role in the kidney scam. Anyway, you must understand that there is a black sheep in every society and we, as supposed members of the media, cannot effort to be prejudice and racist.
In fact, it may be worthwhile for you to know that of the service industry in the country and particularly in the Capital city is employing people from the Northeast like never before. This is simply because people from the Northeast are considered assets to the organization. First of all, because they are non-political, hard working, do not shamelessly market themselves and are silent workers, among many other qualities.
The two smiling ladies who usher you in each time you walk into The Imperial (hotel) are from the Northeast. The ladies, who serve you your pasta at Flavors, Big Chilled, among others, are from the Northeast. Similarly, the oriental looking sensitive masseurs in all the spas around the city are actually from Northeast and not quite from Thailand or Indonesia. We ought to look at the positive side of every community. And especially in the case of Northeast, which has a perpetual grudge that they are being given a step-motherly treatment in their own country, we ought to be responsible and sensitive.
While am trying hard to figure out why you have made that reference, I would like to let you know that as responsible people form the media, we ought to be sensitive about sentiments of other communities. After all, India is a diverse country. It would be incorrect, if the media loosely make such remarks.
Your reference to NE is in your story is ugly and cruel. It is hurtful and negative to the community. To me and many members of the civil society, your reference reflects ignorance and insensitivity.
Warn regards,
Hoihnu Hauzel
Gurgaon
---------------------
THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE
They are a one-stop beauty and health shop — a perfect blend
between a spa and a hospital. Nona Walia on medispas
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Aspa-break used to mean lying wrapped up in seaweed paste, being massaged with lavender oil, and being scrubbed for that perfect body shine. And as you got massaged, scented aroma candles lit the room to open energy blocks and relieve stress. Not anymore. Welcome to the world of medispas.
It seems, spas with doctors is the next big thing. Walk into a spa which has music, scented aroma candles, but here you'll meet a professional doctor rather than a Linda from the North-East. And order for yourself a quick botox, lunchtime peel, nip-and-tuck liposuction or a nose surgery.
The rise of medispas is the latest hot trend in India. They're emerging as one-stop beauty and health shops for those who want to look younger. There are already three in Delhi. And within the next two years, 20 medispas will be opening all over India, predict spa industry experts.
A spa isn't a place for massages anymore; you can even get a perfect designer smile here. Yes, A+ medispa in Delhi have a separate cosmetic dentistry department. Meet Rahana Mathew, 44. She's here from London on a holiday but also hopes to return with a new face, skin and perfect body parts. She's enrolled herself into a medispa for the last two months in Delhi. Says Rahana, “For me, it was about having the perfect relaxation period. And I wanted to look great when I returned home. So, I got a nip-and-tuck on my thighs, tummy tuck and facial peels. Along with relaxation massages post-surgery, it's been worth it.”
Medispas are innovating beauty, health and wellness experience. After surgery, Dr Ajaya Kashyap's medspa in Delhi offers special recovery travel packages. And if you've been travelling, there's a jet lag package for your face. They even have a post-partum package. But there are some questions that emerge: just how medical are medispas? Says Dr Tejinder Bhatti, cosmetic surgeon, “The concept is new to India, but Europe and the US have quite a few of them. But you have to be very careful if you wish to admit yourself to a medispa. Cosmetic surgeries at spas throw open lots of questions. There has to be a high degree of professionalism. A spa provides anonymity. You can tell people you went there for relaxation.”
The medispa is a ‘modish’ space to heal and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. Meet Nitu Arora, 45 who recently met with a major accident. Instead of going to the hospital, she's got herself admitted in a medispa. As her face has got deformed, she is undergoing a major facial surgery. Also, she needs care to heal. “That's why I wanted to be at a medispa rather than a hospital,” says Arora. “I checked their credibility and their inner and outer healing model. But mostly, I opted for a medispa because I needed empathy.”
Massage magazine reports medispas are one of the fastest growing segments in the wellness industry. entrepreneur.com recently calculated their growth at 23 per cent a year. People love onestop health and beauty shopping. Says Abhit Sud, executive director, A+ medispa, “The time was just right to open a medispa in India. In Europe and the US, they're very popular. A medispa is a much enhanced version of a regular spa. Spas are modern beauty parlours, but medispas are much more than that. They also provide medical health specialties. We try to heal our client's skin problems forever. We've tied up with hospitals and provide pre and post-surgery care. Our treatments are also focused on being anti-stress and anti-anxiety. We combine medical health services with spa treatments. This is for optimal healing and well-being.”
In fact, TIME magazine reports how spas with a twist are in vogue. According to them, medispas are the fastest-growing segment of the spa industry with an estimated annual revenue of $450 million for doctor-run medispas. According to Eric Light, president of the International Medical Spa Association, they have an annual growth rate of 11 per cent to 14 per cent.
But it's crucial to be informed about the competence and experience of the surgeon. Says Poonam Bali of Bliss Medispa, “There's a certain intimacy and care we offer at a medispa. We're much more than a spa which offers just well-being. It's total healthcare. For instance, if you have hairfall, we'll treat you accordingly. Not just give you random massages.”
But there's one thing certain with the arrival of posh-nosh medispas in India — looking young isn't going to be a distant dream for average Indians.
SOURCE: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=CAP&login=default&AW=1204525204687
Here's Hoihnu's mail to Nona Walia
Dear Nona,
Just a few weeks ago, we read a disturbing racist report in a national paper on how NE girls are accused of being drug peddlers. Your Sunday story "Spa with a Difference" is yet another example of how media is so callous in its approach to loosely make stark racist remark against a particular community. Quite unmindful of the fact that we live in a country which is so colourful and diverse like no other country in the world.
"Walk into a spa which has music, scented aroma candles, but you'll meet a professional doctor rather than a Linda from the Northeast."
I don't quite see the connection between "a Linda from the Northeast" and your attempt at telling a story on a booming trend on medispa. In fact, I will be quite happy if you can enlighten me with the link between the two.
If I am correct, it seems you were trying to refer to Linda, the nurse from Manipur, who was recently held for her supposed role in the kidney scam. Anyway, you must understand that there is a black sheep in every society and we, as supposed members of the media, cannot effort to be prejudice and racist.
In fact, it may be worthwhile for you to know that of the service industry in the country and particularly in the Capital city is employing people from the Northeast like never before. This is simply because people from the Northeast are considered assets to the organization. First of all, because they are non-political, hard working, do not shamelessly market themselves and are silent workers, among many other qualities.
The two smiling ladies who usher you in each time you walk into The Imperial (hotel) are from the Northeast. The ladies, who serve you your pasta at Flavors, Big Chilled, among others, are from the Northeast. Similarly, the oriental looking sensitive masseurs in all the spas around the city are actually from Northeast and not quite from Thailand or Indonesia. We ought to look at the positive side of every community. And especially in the case of Northeast, which has a perpetual grudge that they are being given a step-motherly treatment in their own country, we ought to be responsible and sensitive.
While am trying hard to figure out why you have made that reference, I would like to let you know that as responsible people form the media, we ought to be sensitive about sentiments of other communities. After all, India is a diverse country. It would be incorrect, if the media loosely make such remarks.
Your reference to NE is in your story is ugly and cruel. It is hurtful and negative to the community. To me and many members of the civil society, your reference reflects ignorance and insensitivity.
Warn regards,
Hoihnu Hauzel
Gurgaon
---------------------
THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE
They are a one-stop beauty and health shop — a perfect blend
between a spa and a hospital. Nona Walia on medispas
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Aspa-break used to mean lying wrapped up in seaweed paste, being massaged with lavender oil, and being scrubbed for that perfect body shine. And as you got massaged, scented aroma candles lit the room to open energy blocks and relieve stress. Not anymore. Welcome to the world of medispas.It seems, spas with doctors is the next big thing. Walk into a spa which has music, scented aroma candles, but here you'll meet a professional doctor rather than a Linda from the North-East. And order for yourself a quick botox, lunchtime peel, nip-and-tuck liposuction or a nose surgery.
The rise of medispas is the latest hot trend in India. They're emerging as one-stop beauty and health shops for those who want to look younger. There are already three in Delhi. And within the next two years, 20 medispas will be opening all over India, predict spa industry experts.
A spa isn't a place for massages anymore; you can even get a perfect designer smile here. Yes, A+ medispa in Delhi have a separate cosmetic dentistry department. Meet Rahana Mathew, 44. She's here from London on a holiday but also hopes to return with a new face, skin and perfect body parts. She's enrolled herself into a medispa for the last two months in Delhi. Says Rahana, “For me, it was about having the perfect relaxation period. And I wanted to look great when I returned home. So, I got a nip-and-tuck on my thighs, tummy tuck and facial peels. Along with relaxation massages post-surgery, it's been worth it.”
Medispas are innovating beauty, health and wellness experience. After surgery, Dr Ajaya Kashyap's medspa in Delhi offers special recovery travel packages. And if you've been travelling, there's a jet lag package for your face. They even have a post-partum package. But there are some questions that emerge: just how medical are medispas? Says Dr Tejinder Bhatti, cosmetic surgeon, “The concept is new to India, but Europe and the US have quite a few of them. But you have to be very careful if you wish to admit yourself to a medispa. Cosmetic surgeries at spas throw open lots of questions. There has to be a high degree of professionalism. A spa provides anonymity. You can tell people you went there for relaxation.”
The medispa is a ‘modish’ space to heal and rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. Meet Nitu Arora, 45 who recently met with a major accident. Instead of going to the hospital, she's got herself admitted in a medispa. As her face has got deformed, she is undergoing a major facial surgery. Also, she needs care to heal. “That's why I wanted to be at a medispa rather than a hospital,” says Arora. “I checked their credibility and their inner and outer healing model. But mostly, I opted for a medispa because I needed empathy.”
Massage magazine reports medispas are one of the fastest growing segments in the wellness industry. entrepreneur.com recently calculated their growth at 23 per cent a year. People love onestop health and beauty shopping. Says Abhit Sud, executive director, A+ medispa, “The time was just right to open a medispa in India. In Europe and the US, they're very popular. A medispa is a much enhanced version of a regular spa. Spas are modern beauty parlours, but medispas are much more than that. They also provide medical health specialties. We try to heal our client's skin problems forever. We've tied up with hospitals and provide pre and post-surgery care. Our treatments are also focused on being anti-stress and anti-anxiety. We combine medical health services with spa treatments. This is for optimal healing and well-being.”
In fact, TIME magazine reports how spas with a twist are in vogue. According to them, medispas are the fastest-growing segment of the spa industry with an estimated annual revenue of $450 million for doctor-run medispas. According to Eric Light, president of the International Medical Spa Association, they have an annual growth rate of 11 per cent to 14 per cent.
But it's crucial to be informed about the competence and experience of the surgeon. Says Poonam Bali of Bliss Medispa, “There's a certain intimacy and care we offer at a medispa. We're much more than a spa which offers just well-being. It's total healthcare. For instance, if you have hairfall, we'll treat you accordingly. Not just give you random massages.”
But there's one thing certain with the arrival of posh-nosh medispas in India — looking young isn't going to be a distant dream for average Indians.
SOURCE: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=CAP&login=default&AW=1204525204687
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