The Daily Indian

A study has revealed that 79 per cent of women face sexual harassment at workplace and those in casual and contract jobs are more at risk. 79 per cent of women face sexual harassment at workplace.

Anthony LaMontagne, associate professor at the VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Community Wellbeing, examined the likelihood of sexual harassment in different types of employment.

“Our study shows that 79 per cent of those who experience unwanted sexual advances at work are women,” LaMontagne said. “The study is an important new evidence because precarious employment has been associated with a variety of adverse working conditions as well as with poorer mental and physical health,” he added. “People who are employed in casual jobs are about five times more likely to be subjected to unwanted sexual advances. The research also shows that people in contract positions are about 10 times more likely to be sexually harassed at work,” LaMontagne added.

Victorian Health Promotion Foundation CEO Todd Harper observed: “Not only are women more likely to experience sexual harassment but females make up bigger proportions of industries which use more casual and contract labour.”

“There is a strong link between sexual harassment and mental health problems. This behaviour is costly and preventable,” Harper said in a release.

One can’t really start with day one of any trip to Las Vegas. After awhile, it just kinda all blends together. Its amazing how a huge desert can provide such beautiful tropical getaways.

Seeing volcanos exploding, pirate ships sinking and rollercoasters zooming it was truly a great trip. One would have to spend a good 10 days to really see all Sin City has to offer.You’d also have to spend at least 24 hours in one hotel just to see everything in it! But if you’re only going to spend 2 or 3 days, try and see the most popular attractions.
I also recommend arriving at night. There’s truly something cool about a black sea below you and then boom! Vegas lights!

No matter how many times I see the Fountains at Bellagio, I am still completely captured by how relaxing and comforting it is. The Bellagio itself has so many things to see and do such as the gardens, the Chihully works throughout, and of course, for you fellow shopaholics, the shops. I’ve never seen so many top designers all on one floor.The Fine Art museum, which displays several different artists throughout the year, is fantastic.

Las Vegas is truly a mirage because not only do you completely forget your troubles but you also create your own.

The Paris hotel was really nice. All the employees spoke french! Going to the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris is by far the best way to see the Vegas strip. The first 2 days we visited it was too windy so they shut it down, but once we were able to, it was a spectacular view.

Although the Venetian is the most beautiful, the Luxor has to be hands down the coolest. Once indoors, you’re surrounded by pharroahs and water falls and its rather peaceful. I highly recommend checking out the King Tut museum. The rooms are actually in the pyramid! You can even see the slant! Although we couldn’t see one of the rooms, going to the top floor was great!

The excalibur is really cool. Although I do believe its more designed with kids in mind. We were hoping the armored ‘men’ would actually joust or step off the horses for some pictures, but unfortunately, our dreams didn’t come true. There’s a great game room in the ‘dungeon’ too. For the adult women, “Thunder Down Under” is a marvelous show. Men stay away or you just might get jousted.

Ceasers Palace is just simply superb. No matter if it is one of the oldest casinos still left on the strip, it just gets better with age.The Forum shops aren’t only fun because of the stores, but because of the ‘living statues’ that scare ya half to death if you come close the them. Also even if there are several around the country, for some reason this one just happens to be the best Cheesecake Factory ever! Maybe its all that oxygen they pump into the casino! We also had an opportunity to see several of Ceasers guardsmen keeping watch of everything and everyone.No need to really pay the big bucks to see nice fit bodies, just hang out at Ceasers and you’ll see a great show. Rumors has it Ceaser and Cleopatra make frequent visits but we never did get to see them. Pure is a great club. We’d gotten free passes from a timeshare saleman and he wasn’t joking when he said it was one of the best clubs vegas has to offer. We danced off our little booties all night long.

The Venetian was our next stop. Oh how romantic parts of Sin City can actually be.The gondolas are just that. We didn’t ride them, but just listening to the serenades brought a light to our step and a smile to our hearts. If this is truly what Venice looks like, then pack my bags baby, I’m on my way. With the street painters, sidewalk vendors and outdoor cafes, I was totally hooked and ready to travel to Italy to see the real thing. And the ceiling changes from morning, to mid day to dusk etc, etc. Like most of the hotels, theres also several shops to drag the non-shopaholics through too. And remember to always always look up as soon as you step inside. Or do like some of us art buffs, just lay back on the floor and stare. You’ll be amazed at what you see.

Mandalay Bay is very nice. They have a great buffett. There’s also several tropical birds on display inside the lobby. Don’t worry, though, you’ll find them just as soon as your ears hit the inside. Heck, you may even hear them in the next hotel. I also recommend checking out the Shark reef. You’ll be astonished. We also hit the Rumjungle later that night and believe me when I say, you really can have whatever kind of rum you want because there are hundreds to choose from! And for you men out there, several times at night women on trapeez and in cages with hardly any clothes on will shake their booties for ya. The dance floor is huge and theres a different DJ every weekend. Tip: because it is a restraunt, if you go in before 10pm, you will not have to pay a cover. It pays to know locals!

New York New York was a fantastic place to just hang out. I do think this was meant for the late 20’s and mid 30’s kinda crowd. ImageI recommend the irish pub and the italian cafe inside the casino. But most of all, I recommend the rollercoaster. Though not as thrilling as us fellow Cedar Point fanatics are used to, it is fun. And it gives you a different view of Vegas. Even if you are speeding by like a bat out of hell.

The Mirage and TI were nice. the dolphin exhibit is pure entertainment. I suggest you check it out. What was funny the first day we stopped by was a momma duck and her chicks swimming across the pond. Even with Sin City and all its bright lights and glamour, visitors were more interested in how cute the chicks were crossing from one side to the next. There were so many cameras going off you would’ve thought the papparazzi were there! I don’t recommend the new pirate show to any children. But as stated by several people, Vegas wasn’t meant for kids. The outdoor club Tangerine is great and make some fantastic mixed drinks.

Though we stayed on the ‘new strip’ we did catch a cab to Freemont Street tImageo ‘vintage vegas’ and I have to say, it was surprising. More young people were enjoying the outdoor music, the incredible light show and just generally, each other. We’d decided then and there we were staying on the ‘old strip’ next visit to vegas. I’d read somewhere that the Golden Gate hotel was one of the very first hotels/casinos there and has no plans of ever leaving. Apparently, like most of us, experiancing Vegas the way it used to be is kinda cool. We were waiting for Dean or Frank to stop by.

Either way you look at it, Vegas is just plain funtastic. But please, adults only.

India is attracting a growing number of mountaineers from across the globe with as many as 52 foreign expeditions to Indian peaks last year

According to an analysis by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), a national level body regulating mountaineering and adventure sports activities in the Indian mountains, of the 52 foreign expeditions Stok Kangri in Ladakh was the most popular peak.

“Stok Kangri, located at a height of 6,153 metres in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, is a favourite among mountaineers. Of the 52 expeditions, 26 have been to this peak,” Col. H.S. Chauhan, secretary of IMF, said.

“Not just foreigners, Stok Kangri is popular among Indian mountaineers with four expeditions being carried out last year. In addition to that, 95 individuals took permission to scale the peak,” he added. One of the main peaks of the Zansker range, Stok Kangri has always captured the imagination of travellers since it first opened to visitors in 1974. Although straightforward, the route is challenging and interesting, providing stunning views of the Karakoram range.

Other favourite peaks include Kun East at a height of 7,077 metres in Jammu and Kashmir and Kedardome peak in Garhwal at a height of 6,830 metres. The IMF study says mountaineers from Europe, especially Germany, Britain, France and Spain, like climbing Indian peaks. While Germans had undertaken 12 expeditions in 2006-07, British and French mountaineers undertook eight expeditions each. The Japanese and the Koreans undertook four and three expeditions respectively last year. “The number of Indian expeditions have also been increasing steadily with as many as 60 each year over the last five years. Trekking is also becoming very popular. The IMF has granted permission to 600 trekking groups in the last five years,” Chauhan added.

After eco-friendly bulbs and cars, wondering what more you can do to help the planet? Well, go green between the sheets. Intimacy in the bedroom is not only healthy for your relationship but it can be good for the environment, too, if you use the following tips, reports Fox News.

Here are 8 ways to make your sex life a little more eco-friendly:

1] Eco-lingerie: Slippery and stylish, eco-undies and other fine undergarments are now made of hemp silk, organic cotton, bamboo, and other renewable fibers.

2] Bamboo sheets: Make over your bed with silky bamboo fabric. These eco-friendly, luxury sheets come from a renewable source and are usually grown without pesticides and harsh chemicals.

3] Sustainable wooden paddles: Coco de Mer makes top of the line sustainable wooden paddles complimented with fair-trade leather wrist cuffs.

4] Local flowers: Try to use locally grown or seasonal flowers when wooing your lover. They’re right there and don’t require using as many fossil fuels by coming from miles away.

5] Organic wine: When wining and dining each other, go for wines made from certified organically grown grapes. These are grown without any chemical fertilizers, insecticides, weed killers and other synthetic chemicals.

6] Organic lubricants, vibrators: Companies are starting to make lubricants free of parabens and petro-chemicals, like Babeland Naturals Organic Lube. Sex toy industry has also started to make vibrators out of elastomer, a latex-free material that doesn’t contain phthalate – which can cause birth defects.

7] Environmentally friendly condoms: Consider using the sheepskin condom, for it is biodegradable.

Sex is not always on the mind when one’s travelling, unless the destination happens to be Thailand or Amsterdam – the sex capitals of the world. And it definitely is not on your mind when work is the agenda! But that cold winter morning gave way to a boyish excitement in me… What the heck, I thought! Khajuraho is where I’m headed… So there I was, my mind pregnant with thought of the place that provided the settings for Mira Nair’s Kama Sutra – A Tale of Love, ready to hop onto the early morning Shatabdi to Jhansi – there isn’t a direct train to Khajuraho – for my date with the world famous temples of Khajuraho, the erotic art capital of the world.

Getting down at Jhansi, we met our man Friday for all things Khajuraho, who also happened to be a taxi driver! And then on started the fun(ny) bit! What do you do when you have a taxi driver who resembles Paresh Rawal equipped with a near perfect comic timing but ordinary skills behind the wheel, add to that very BAAD roads? Nervous bouts of laughter, giggling one moment and shaken the other! Shaken alright but not stirred, we made it to Khajuraho and without waiting to check into a hotel found ourselves at the gates of the western group of temples.

When dining in Khajuraho, restrict yourself to the three Five star hotels because eating anywhere else can make you feel that the hotels are conniving to ensure that no visitor ever returns to Khajuraho. At least that’s the impression one gets when something as elementary as fried Dal tastes nothing like one, enough to turn even the not-so-fussy-about-food kinds like myself into serious food critics. Ironically, one will come across restaurants (almost every second one) that claim to be specialists in Chinese, Continental, Italian, Japanese, Korean Israeli et al. It’s almost as though in trying to perfect their skills in all these cuisines, they’ve forgotten to prepare Indian food. Maybe I should’ve tried Israeli food instead!

If research suggests that the three letter word is on a man’s mind every seven seconds, in Khajuraho there are reasons enough in stone that never let you get your mind of it… And, women too join in the part! Actually, the thoughts are not as much about sex but the feeling of awe! To think that our society in the 10th century looked at sex in a way alien even to the sexually uninhibited westerners was making me proud; at the same time wonder what had we lost all that to… But, for the German couple we met at the breakfast table in one of the restaurants that served decent breakfast, Khajuraho comes second in their list of things they love about India “Nothing beats Rajasthan! It’s where Arabia meets India.” is what they had to say. Though all the temples within this most prominent group of temples depict nudity and sex, it’s the Lakshmana Temple where little is left to the imagination. Sculpted in stone are fine figures of nymphs in provocative postures with their smouldering looks gesturing almost for real, depicting the act of making love, even orgies at times.

Packing my bags the next morning while driving past the temples I had one last look at the beauty of the temples of Khajuraho. The morning sun kissing them, almost as if blessing them… And to think that this remnant of the Chandelas would have but remained lost somewhere in the sands of time thanks to the exploits of invasions that India had seen I sighed in relief and thanked God and T S Burt, the British officer who chanced upon them while halting here in 1838 and was instrumental in their preservance. Long live Khajuraho!

Researchers at the University of Utah studied more than 300 middle-aged and older couples who had been married more than 20 years. Each couple answered questionnaires about their relationship and mental state and took lab tests.

They found women in marriages with high levels of strife were more prone to depression and metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms such a thick waist, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and abnormal blood sugar that significantly raise the risk of heart disease.

“What we found is that negative aspects of the marriage – a high level of conflict and discord were associated with increased levels of metabolic syndrome for women and not for men,” said Tim Smith of the University of Utah, who is studying marriage quality and heart disease.

“That seemed to be explained by the fact that women in strained marriages also reported more levels of depression,” a known risk factor for heart disease, Smith said in a telephone interview. The study is being presented at a meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society in Chicago. Smith, who worked on the study with doctoral student Nancy Henry, said a bad marriage was roughly equivalent to leading a sedentary life in terms of raising the risk of metabolic syndrome.

He said the findings represent one of many factors a woman should address to reduce her risk of heart attack. But he said women should tackle other potentially more serious issues first. “It’s silly if someone is a smoker to talk to them about difficulties with their spouse,” he said. “You have to start with the stuff that is most dangerous.”

Using data gathered from a 25-year study of health and development in New Zealand, David M. Fergusson, Ph.D., and colleagues at the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand, examined the associations between alcohol abuse and depression.

A sample of 1,055 participants born in 1977 were assessed for both conditions at ages 17 to 18, 20 to 21 and 24 to 25 years and also asked questions about lifestyle and demographic factors. At ages 17 to 18, 19.4 per cent of the participants met criteria for alcohol problems and 18.2 per cent for major depression; at ages 20 to 21, 22.4 per cent had alcohol disorders and 18.2 per cent major depression; and at age 24 to 25, 13.6 per cent met alcohol disorder criteria and 13.8 per cent had major depression.

At all ages, alcohol abuse or dependence was associated with an increased risk of major depression-those who fulfilled criteria for alcohol abuse or dependence were 1.9 times more likely to also fulfill criteria for major depression. Three models were tested to fit the data-one in which major depression and alcohol abuse disorders had a reciprocal association within time, a second in which alcohol disorders caused major depression and a third in which major depression caused alcohol disorders.

“This analysis suggested that the best-fitting model was one in which there was a unidirectional association from alcohol abuse or dependence to major depression but no reverse effect from major depression to alcohol abuse or dependence,” the authors said.
“The underlying mechanisms that give rise to such an association are unclear; however, it has been proposed that this link may arise from genetic processes in which the use of alcohol acts to trigger genetic markers that increase the risk of major depression. “In addition, further research suggests that alcohol’s depressant characteristics may lead to periods of depressed affect among those with alcohol abuse or dependence,” they added. The causal links also may include an increased risk of depression due to stressful life circumstances brought by alcohol problems, including social, financial and legal issues.
“However, further research is required to elucidate the nature of the possible links between alcohol use and major depression,” the authors said.

Seated in the Northern Island of New Zealand, Taupo, a small urban area and the legendary Lake Taupo lie in the Waikato region capturing the imagination since time immemorial. Lake Taupo came into being not before 186 AD with a volcanic eruption that left a 660 sqm of hole in the earth! Legend has it that the stream of lava and ash that this hole spit into the skies was so high that even the Roman and the Chinese history have a mention of it! And there dawned a civilization, the genesis of which can largely be attributed to the Tuwharetoa Maoris (the descendents of Arawa, the canoes from the great migration) who arrived here in the 13th century. And later towards the 19th century, with the arrival of the Europeans, and Christianity, settlers, traders and geologists subsequently the dust swept land transformed into a flourishing and expanding business town and eventually with better infrastructure and sprawling natural splendour into a tourism hot spot!

Mildly put, this land is hot. Very hot! And before your imagination runs amok, we’re only referring to the geothermal activity that’s always at work! Of course, you don’t expect any better in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, do you? Once you witness the jets of steam whistling out of the ground at one place, or a hot water spring bubbling at another, all that has remained dormant, suddenly erupts – the goose bumps! Another one to give you that rush is the Tapo Bungy at the Hell’s Gate section of the Waikato River that must not go unexplored.

Apart from the spectacular views on a water ride, it opens up a world of hidden bays and the Maori rock carvings that can only be accessed by water. Thanks to it’s geographical wonders, the place is an adventure sportsperson’s Mecca. Right from the high peaks of adrenaline, to the low-lying lap of natural flamboyance… Taupo has on offer everything you can imagine… everything!
Huka Lodge in New Zealand

Listed number one by Travel + Leisure among 25 best hotels in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific region put together, the Huka Lodge is famed for it’s inimitability and distinctiveness of it’s environs and services as much as it’s illustrious list of guests.
The View: Encased in the lush natural environs of the serene Taupo lake, the hotel offers such a stunning view it’s difficult to get your eyes off it! Looking down the windows from inside the lodge one can find the most sought after Rainbow Trout in the crystal clear waters below-a divine spectacle!

Archi Type: Built simply yet classily, the hotel has an uncomplicated accommodation menu. Though it doesn’t boast of hundreds of rooms, the hotel has room s of all kinds – right from single rooms to private cottages! The décor too, is not too opulent but blends perfectly well with the purpose of stay – an escape from the all too material flamboyance!

Bon Appetit: Dining is all about lip-smacking delicacies, fine wine and easy conversation… A lavish dining room, outdoors besides the fire or a table under the stars for just the two of you – choice is entirely yours!

Around the Corner: Extensive options for activities here… just take a walk to the nearby Huka Falls whilst you also walk past the flower borders and gardens on your way. Go for some hot-pool soaking, fishing or water sports in the Taupo Lake and set your spirit free!
From Under the Carpet: Planning a getaway with a gargantuan gang? Trash your plans. All that it has are 20 lodges and some of very expensive suites and cottages!

In Essence: Be there if you want to be virtually hidden from the world…

Baby, sweetie, honey …” And that’s just the soundtrack. Hand-holding, arms over the shoulder, palms in the back pocket, pecks on the cheek, lingering embraces, lip-locking, parkland fumbling: when it comes to public displays of affection (PDAs), what’s acceptable and what’s not?

“PDA alert,” says a friend as we walk through a shopping centre food court. She points to a couple more interested in each other’s lips than their kebabs. “Get a room,” she mumbles.

My friend has probably behaved in a similar way but it’s no use reminding her of that: I am talking to a PDA cynic in a moment of repulsion. Dr Jan Hall, a Melbourne clinical psychologist, says taboos around PDAs are a legacy from the 19th century “when focus was placed on respecting others and being dignified”.

“But these days, public displays of affection are much more acceptable,” Hall says. “It is now fine to hug and kiss in public as long as it doesn’t last more than 30 seconds.
“For some, it’s about being lost in the moment of pleasure and like a trance, they forget others are there. For others it is definitely a form of exhibitionism — they get turned on by knowing others are watching.”

Whatever the circumstances, Hall says the public have the right to protest if the PDA “causes discomfort in others”.

Acceptability of public affection depends on the environment, Hall says. “Heavy groping and sexual rubbing might look OK in a dark bar but would be inappropriate on a bus.” Andrew Mahony, director of Etiquette Training Australia, agrees. Mahony says people need to show discretion and consider those around them. “What might be acceptable in front of adults will not be acceptable in front of a family,” he says. “People overstep the line, in any situation, when they don’t take the time to consider their environment.”
Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens is one environment prone to PDAs. Bernard Carlon, acting executive director of the Botanic Gardens Trust, is not surprised that the backdrop of the bridge, Opera House and harbour makes visitors feel romantic. “The gorgeous trees, shrubs, flowers and soft grass make it all very appealing for a romantic stroll or picnic.”

Carlon says that people of all ages and nationalities might kiss and cuddle or hold hands but “it’s usually the younger generation who get carried away” and cross the line. While the garden authorities haven’t received any formal complaints about offensive displays of public affection, Carlon says that over the years the rangers have been told informally by visitors about people going too far. “When this happens, the rangers caution offenders tactfully,” he says. “Usually they’re asked to leave and find a more suitable private location.”

As a matter of the law, inappropriate displays of affection can also get you more than a polite invitation to leave. A duty manager at Kings Cross police station, who did not want to be named, says that if people are engaged in indecent or offensive behaviour, the police will take appropriate action.

Down the road at the Bourbon Bar, the management has to maintain vigilance against inappropriate displays. Operations manager Phil Cooke steps in when people are “making out” for an extended period of time with no regard for others around them. “If it’s getting outrageous at the bar, I’ll tell people to get a room,” he says. “Occasionally, people also try and take it to the next level, mainly in the toilets, and that is definitely not acceptable.”

In four years at the Bourbon, Cooke says he has seen thousands of people removed from the premises. “It’s something every nightclub and bar experiences,” he says.

Call it the effect of global warming, deforestation or rise in pollution, the Queen of Hills, as Shimla was fondly called by the British, is totally devoid of snow cover in this peak winter month of January.

For the second year in a row, the town, situated at an altitude of 2,130 metres, is bereft of its traditional white blanket.

“Like the previous year, this year Shimla recorded just one mild spell of snow this month (Jan 13) and that too melted within a few hours,” Manmohan Singh, director of the Shimla meteorological office, told.

“The prolonged dry spell is a matter of concern. The average temperature of the town is five to six degrees above average for this time of the year. The sudden rise in day and night temperatures reduces the chances of snowfall,” he said.

Shimla saw a low of 5.3 degrees Celsius Sunday. The maximum was 16.9 degrees.

“Almost during the entire month (January), the maximum temperature hovered between 14 degrees and 17 degrees Celsius. This used to be the temperature in the month of March,” Singh added.

According to records of the meteorological office, the town saw 50 to 60 cm of snow Jan 31, 2004, which was the heaviest snow on a single day in the past 14 years in the month of January.

Mount Jakhu, the highest peak of the town, had recorded 60 cm of snow. Moreover, the state capital received more than 100 cm of snow in the same year in January after a gap of 22 years. The town saw 137 cm of snow during this month in 1982.

This year Shimla has so far recorded just 8.2 cm of snow this month. In 2009, the town saw just one spell of snowfall in January and that too was a mild one. However, in 2006, there was snow in this month.

State Council for Science, Technology and Environment joint member secretary R.K. Sood recalled that once in the 1960s, the minimum temperature of the town had plunged to minus 13 degrees Celsius.

“The temperature remained below freezing point for days together from December to February. Interestingly, most of the north Indian towns located in plains are colder than Shimla these days,” he said.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said there has been a noticeable change in the snowfall pattern in Shimla in the past few years.

“The hills across the state are warming up faster mainly due to change in building architecture, deforestation and vehicular pollution,” said Dhumal, who also holds the environment portfolio.

“Now, the people have started using tin roofs in buildings in lieu of slate. The tin that absorbs greater heat is more responsible for heat accumulation in the atmosphere. Moreover, the people have started using modern gadgets to warm up their buildings; that is also one of the reasons for the rise in temperatures,” he added.

R.S. Chauhan, a retired octogenarian settled in the town since 1960, said: “Earlier, the residents of this hill town used to migrate to plains with the onset of winter. Now, more and more people are coming to the town to enjoy holidays. The influx of tourists is more responsible for the deteriorating environment.”

He said: “The government should monitor the arrival of the tourists, especially during weekends.”

According to representatives of the hospitality industry, around 50,000 tourists reach Shimla and its nearby areas on an average weekend.