JAYESH PATEL - CityMasala

32 Pages·2006·2.96 MB·English

May 2006 Free Copy
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A Lifestyle and Entertainment Magazine for Today’s South Asian
Beauty
The Quest for
Painless Hair Removal
Achievers’ Club
Presidents and Politicians
In the Making
Bollywood
The Bollywood
World in 8 days
Of Vice and Men
Just How Irritable Are We?
Short Story
The Sanctuary
JAYESH PATEL
Cricket
The Oil Baron of Florida
Sarasota Cricket Club
CityMasala May 2006
CityMasala May 2006
CityMasala May 2006
CityMasala May 2006
CityMasala
IN THIS ISSUE
May 2006

A Lifestyle and Entertainment Magazine for Today’s South Asian
From Our Desk to Yours
CityMasala has etched another milestone in the month of April. We have doubled
our print circulation and quadrupled our online readership. We would like to thank
our readers and advertisers for their continued support in helping CityMasala grow,
blossom and fl ourish.
South Asians rule when it comes to owning and running gas stations and con-
venience stores. In this issue, we introduce Jayesh Patel to you, the oil baron of
Florida. Read about how he acquired this title from simply owning several gas
stations. He generously shares not only his experiences with us, but is also most
willing to extend his help and expertise.
South Asians are the most sought after community when companies plan their
ethnic marketing plans. The community abounds with people who are well edu-
cated, are wealthy and exhibit excellent taste. Networking is the best way to get
your business into the limelight. In this month’s Achievers’ Club column, we have
featured presidents of some community based associations in the Tampa Bay as
well as Orlando areas. They talk about what their association does, how it attempts
to bring south Asians to the main stream arena and how you can be a part of it.
On the Cover
In this issue we have also introduced a column on beauty. Now that summer is
Cover Feature: around the corner, it is time to stop hiding behind salwars, pants or full sleeved
shirts. Shaphali Jain has always been on the quest for the most effi cient and pain-
18 Jayesh Patel: The Oil Baron of
less hair removal method and she shares her experiences.
Florida
The new cricket season is in full swing. Mike Marcus introduces Sarasota Cricket
Club to you, the fi rst cricket club to have purchased the grounds they play on. Ex-
7 Achievers’ Club: The Leaders in our posed is back in this issue! We had to take it out in the last issue due to space con-
straints and we apologize to those of you who wrote to say they missed it. Auntyji
Community
is rapidly becoming very popular in our market. Please take her advice with a pinch
12 Cricket: Sarasota Cricket Club
(or a sackful!) of salt - it is meant in a very light vein. She has a mind of her own
14 Of Vice and Men: Zed’s feature and makes no bones about it.
17 Bollywood: Around the Bollywood Please continue to write to us with your feedback at [email protected] or
World in 8 Days [email protected].
As always a friendly reminder to talk about CityMasala, rave about CityMasala,
22 Beauty: Hairless and Smooth – Every
make your friends read CityMasala and ask for your copy of CityMasala by its
Woman’s Desire
name!
24 Short Story: The Sanctuary
Chhaya Sanghavi and Shaphali Jain
MEET OUR TEAM
Also In this issue:
Editor and Publisher: Zed Rehman
6 From Your Desk to Ours and Events Chhaya Sanghavi
Administative Assistant
10 Tech Talk: Talk Gets Cheaper Shaphali Jain
Bijy Abraham
16 Reel Talk: Movie Reviews Graphic Designer Published By:
Dawn Sallas
20 Auntyji Ko Pucho CityMasala LLC
23 Wining and Dining Content Contributors:
Telephone
Javid Lateef
26 Exposed! 813-642-3313
Kavita Trivedi
27 Star Lite Star Brite: This Month’s Email:
Nandini Chakraborty
Horoscopes info @ c i t y m a s a l a .com
Sandeep Sidhu
On the Web:
Vanya Shah
www.citymasala.com
Vish Viswanathan

CityMasala is published by CityMasala LLC. The opinions and viewpoints of our contributors and advertisers do not necessarily refl ect those of CityMasala’s.
CityMasala disclaims any liability with respect to the use of or reliance on any such information and further disclaims any liability to any party for loss or damage
caused by errors or omissions, negligence, accident or any other cause. CityMasala reserves the right to reject any advertisement they deem unacceptable or inap-
propriate for publication in CityMasala. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and originality of content. Copyright © 2005 CityMasala LLC. All rights
reserved. Reprinting of any material without prior permission from CityMasala is prohibited.
CityMasala 5 May 2006
From Your Desk to Ours:
I had a chance to go over CityMasala that the Pakistani media treated their captain Shaphali / Chhaya, I wanted to write you
magazine recently and was pretty impressed. Inzmam-ul-Haq with utter disdain and a note for two reasons. Firstly, I want to
Excellent quality and good material. Keep horrible criticism when they lost the one compliment you on an excellent edition of
it up. day series equally badly against India. So CityMasala and also for your excellent write
Dr. Kalpana Patel, Orlando much so that this great man who has served up on Ravi, myself and the Demystifying
Pakistan cricket so commendably, was asked India project. The articles in the magazine
This is one great magazine! Congratulations to step-down for good. I agree that some- were very well written and extremely infor-
and keep it up! May you and your team go times frustrations take control of judgments mative. I’m defi nitely looking forward to
from strength to strength. The articles are but some balance should be maintained. my monthly issue in the mail.
really good and so are the interviews. S.Pravinbhai, Riverview, FL Furthermore, I want to thank you again for
Neville R Ginwala – Ahmedabad, India your continued support for the Demystifying
Javid Lateef’s response: Hi Pravin, India project. The project is nothing unless
Dear Editor, Thank you very much for your feedback. I the whole Indian community comes together
I was impressed by CityMasala for its over- am critical of the Indian press as I feel we to form a united front and the media plays a
all presentation, especially the March 2006 should set an example in the sub-continent. critical role in communicating that message.
edition. I was also impressed by Mr. Javid The Pakistani press has always been brutal Both Ravi and I are extremely grateful for
Lateef, your cricket columnist. However, I in crucifying its cricketers, so I do not wish your hard work - please keep up the good
think that he expresses a somewhat one- to compare the two and by omitting to write work.
sided criticism of the Indian press. about the Pakistani press, I do not mean to
After 2 good shows in test matches, India condone their attitude. I feel that the Indian This town desperately needs a regular publi-
did lose very badly in the 3rd. Naturally press should be more objective and less cation like City Masala.
there was some criticism but unfortunately sensational. This might enforce a change in Kind regards,
your analyst has missed the positive com- the way the sub-continent press treats cricket Prash Pavagadhi, Tampa, FL
ments of the Indian press for the Pakistani and cricketers.
team. However he further missed to follow Javid Lateef, FL
his own advice for journalists and the fact
Readers are welcome to write in with their views, feedback and opinions. These can be submitted in the form of email or regular mail
and must be original and unpublished. All contributions will be edited.
Email: [email protected]. Mail: CityMasala, 4211 Elba Place, Valrico, FL
MAY: Upcoming Attractions in Florida
13th Soundz, Dj Chris Rock, Shotta.
May: Fundraising dinner
hosted by the Indo-US Chamber of 20th
May, 2006- Pre Memorial
Commerce: A fund raising event for
Bashment Jam. Island Crew Rest.
Call 813-662-7023 for directions and
the Demystifying India Initiative, this
Himes/Columbus. Presented by Carib-
more information. FREE EVENT
is a semi-formal champagne dinner at
bean Vibes Ent, UniqueSoundz, and
6th
MOSI. After May 6: Powerline and Dj Rudeboy from NYC. Reggae,
a dinner UniqueSoundz Soca Party: Playing Hindi, Remix, Bollywood, Chutney,
reception, Reggae, Reggaeton, Hindi, Remix, Soca, Reggaeton, Calypso. Admission:
participants Bollywood, Soca, and Chutney. Island $8, $10
will enjoy a Crew Restaurant/ Himes and Colum-
26th
private view- bus. Admission: $10.00 May: Natural Mystic 10th
ing of the Anniversary, Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
IMAX movie, Mystic India followed With UniqueSoundz, DJ Ryan, plus
by an open air reception at MOSI’s other DJs from Toronto and New York.
observatory. For more information on Reggae, Soca, Hindi, Reggaeton,
this event call Ravi Seepersad (813) Chutney.
505-8152 or Prash Pavagadhi (727) For more information on
12th
786-6070 May: West Indian Yacht Unique Soundz Events, call Dj
Party on the exclusive Starship Yacht, Dean, 813-857-6574 or email
21st
May: Chai Time: 2:00 – 4:00 Channelside. Reggae, Soca, Reggae- [email protected]
PM. Chai party with boutique clothes, ton, Chutney, Indian, Hindi, Bolly-
jewelry, make up tips, tea and snacks. wood Remix. Three Levels Unique-
To submit information about your events, write in with dates, timings and contact information to [email protected]. Events must be
submitted by the 15th of the preceding month.
CityMasala 6 May 2006
Achievers’ Club
The Leaders in our Community
George Korath: President – FOKANA: Federation of Kerala
Associations in North America
George Korath is defi nitely a politician in the making and a viable candidate at that – one whom all south
Asians can take great pride in being represented by! He hails from the state of Kerala, acquired most of his
education from Punjab University and came to the US in 1979. He has been a statistician at USPS for over
18 years and also dabbles as a real estate investor. His most marked achievement and contribution though,
would have to be his dedicated involvement with FOKANA. After having been the President of the Malay-
alee Association of Central Florida and seeing the good of the community that can be promoted in a position
of leadership, George set out to campaign for the Presidency of FOKANA. Of having acquired this position,
he says, “this is a tough election and a tougher campaign. I traveled extensively to seek votes all over the
US and Canada and participated in debates in front of numerous delegates representing over 50 Malayalee Associations across
North America.” FOKANA is the umbrella association of these Malayalee Associations and according to its estimation, there are
approximately 700,000 Keralites in North America. They are also the second largest Indian community in the US. As the President of
FOKANA, George Korath’s goal is to get the Malayalee community to register to vote so that they can be established as a presence
to be heard. FOKANA was in Kerala days after the Tsunami tragedy and donated over $26,000 to help rebuild ravaged areas. One
of the highlights of FOKANA is a convention that is held once in two years to get as many Keralites as possible, under one
roof, to celebrate their rich heritage and culture. This year, it is being held in Orlando from June 30 – July 4 at the GayLord
Palms Resort and Convention Center and FOKANA expects about 4,000 – 5,000 people to attend. The Chief Minister of Kerala,
Mr. Oommen Chandy and the NRI’s minister, Mr. Vayalar Ravi, are confi rmed guests at this convention. On a more personal note,
George has received great honor as the President of FOKANA. He has been invited by the Indian Ambassador to evaluate George
Bush’s recent trip to India and was also invited by the White House during Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh’s visit there. For
more information and contact information, visit www.fokana.org
Naseem J. Hafeez: President – PAAOTB: Pakistani American
Association of Tampa Bay
Naseem Hafeez is described as a tireless, dedicated and true leader by members of the Pakistani As-
sociation. It is being said that she is doing more and then some for the Pakistani population in the
Tampa Bay area and is instrumental in building bridges between the various south Asian communi-
ties. PAAOTB is a registered non-profi t organization that was established in 1990 and Ms. Hafeez is
the President elect for the year 2006. Naseem is a graduate from the Allama Iqbal Medical College
of Pakistan although she chose not to practice medicine after having moved to the US in 1987. She
has brought up four brilliant boys all doing extremely well in school and college. Zeeshan, the oldest,
is in the fi rst year of studying Law at Georgetown University; Naush, her second, is in the second year of Liberal Arts at the New
College of Florida in Sarasota and Naumann and Irfaan, her third and fourth, attend William Middle School (a Magnet School). She
says that she is very proud of her sons who understand the value of education and recognize the importance of retaining the culture
and heritage of their home land. Her goal as President of PAAOTB, “I want to build bridges between different communities so that
others get to know about our good values. I want to learn from others too so that we can pass on these values to our children and
create a better understanding.” PAAOTB was instrumental in providing help to the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan last year.
She says that the association tries to provide as much help as it can but that it needs more members so that more can be done. There
are currently 100 registered members who belong to this association. PAAOTB will be celebrating Pakistan’s Independence Day
on August 19th at Armwood High School, Seffner, FL. Tahseen Javed will be performing and their will be a cultural show along
with a movie on the earthquake. Vendors with all kinds of wares from clothes, food and jewelry will also be in attendance. For more
information on renting a stall or attending, Naseem Hafeez may be reached at 813-641-0613.
Parimal Bhutala: President – Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay.
Mr. Butala does not take no for an answer. He is a fi ghter and a survivor. He hails from Modasa, Guajarat, in
India and moved to the Tampa Bay area in 1991 from NJ. He lives in Gibsonton, FL with his wife Harsha,
son, Alok (17) who knows he wants to be an endoscope surgeon and daughter Niralee (14) who also wants
to become a doctor. Mr. Butala has been elected president for Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay for the second
time this year after his presidency in 2000. He has been actively involved with the Gujarati Samaj since
1994. As the president of the Samaj, Mr. Butala brings the community together and comes up with innova-
tive ways to entertain people and make them feel at home. They are organizing events for Mother’s Day
on May 14th, Naya Din in mid-May and this year, Navratri will be celebrated for three consecutive
weekends at the Florida State Fairgrounds. The Samaj will also host Diwali celebrations at the Fairgrounds. We all look for-
ward to the India Festival in November and this year, it will be as good as the previous years. cont’d to page 8......
CityMasala 7 May 2006
Achievers’ Club
The Leaders in our Community
Annual membership for Gujarati Samaj costs between $25 and $50, depending upon age and the time you join. This due gives access
to free programs that the Gujarati Samaj organizes. Membership also offers a great way to network with the people in the community,
to meet like minded people and to involve children in cultural activities. Mr. Butala is also a businessman who owns property, hotels
and real estate. He became involved with the Samaj as a volunteer and then upon the insistence of Nankit Oza, he became a commit-
tee member. Mr. Butala says that Dr. Kiran Patel has been a major infl uence in his desire to give back to the community. He believes
that all successful people are deeply involved in their community. His message to our readers is that wherever you go, always be
involved in your community, it will help you and you will never be lonely. You may contact Mr. Butala at 813-892-8197 or check
out www.gujaratisamaj.org for more information on Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay.
V. M. Patel: President: Gujarati Samaj of Central Florida
Mr. Patel is the president of Gujarati Society of Greater Orlando. He was born in India, moved to Tanzania
at the age of 11 and then back to India. After getting married in 1966 he moved to London, England, with
his wife. His career started with selling insurance after which he got into the world of fi nance. His company
called Unique Insurance Agents belonged to the Top of the Table in England, a very prestigious accolade. His
involvement with BAPS started in 1969 and since then, he has been very active with this organization. Hav-
ing been a committee member of the Gujarati Samaj of London, it was only logical for him to join the society
here in Orlando after his move to the USA in 1991.
The Gujarati Society of Greater Orlando was founded in April of 2005. It was previously known as Gujarati Samaj of Greater Orlando.
As president of the Society, Mr. Patel ensures that they have quality programs for their members and that all members feel welcome.
The New Year’s party organized by the Samaj last year, was a great hit, as was the kite fl ying festival in January. Mr. Patel is now in
the midst of organizing a talent show, a Gujarati play, medical camps and a Navaratri function. He says that as President of the Samaj
this year, his goal is to increase the membership for the society from 300 to 500. He plans on organizing several religious, social and
entertainment functions. Members attend these functions at no cost. The aim is to network and mingle with people of similar tastes and
backgrounds. He says the society is a non profi t organization and the committee is made up of volunteers. His personal goal for the
society is to have a hall built which can be used for regular activities as well as for renting out. The dues for membership are $75 per
family annually; senior citizens may become members for free.
As a message to our readers, Mr. Patel said “We, (Gujarati Society of Greater Orlando) urge you to join us wholeheartedly. The
society and the committee members are for you and to help you. You will receive the maximum benefi t and you will enjoy it.”
CityMasala 8 May 2006
CityMasala May 2006
Talk gets Cheaper
Internet Phone Services – Are They for Real?
Tech Talk
By Vish Viswanathan
Your next telephone may not be a landline. It will connect to the Internet, not a telephone line, and it will cost
considerably less than conventional landlines. You will also have better features and ease of use. Over the next few
years, more products using Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, will be coming aboard. But there’s no need to wait!
Today’s batch of Internet phone products have useful features and can save you money, starting now.
Most Net phone services work just like regular phone services do. You get a local number (in many cases, your old
one). Sound quality and reliability are equal. The only difference is that you plug your telephone into an adapter that
connects to a cable or DSL modem.
Price is the major factor. Internet companies offer unlimited calls throughout the U.S. and Canada for $25 or less a month (including voice
mail and caller ID). Unlimited international calling is also often available.
Pacekt 8: www.Packet8.net vice provider has a $25-a-month unlimited especially since there are no surprise extra
Packet8 charges $10 a month for unlimited domestic plan, as well as a $15-a-month monthly taxes or fees, unlike those on
domestic calls for the fi rst three months, plan that gives you 500 minutes of talk other Internet phone bills. There is no ac-
and then the fee goes up to $20 ($30 acti- time. Calling India cost about 17 cents a tivation fee either. SunRocket is not avail-
vation fee). Best deal: Unlimited calling minute. able nationwide, but if you live in an area
to more than 40 countries for $50 a month. in which it is offered, it’s a good choice.
In addition to the Vonage phone adapter,
India is not on the list of 40 countries and
there are many new ways to connect to the Internet telephony still has reliability
it costs 15 cents a minute to call anywhere
service, including a Uniden cordless home issues. For one thing, if your broadband
in India.
phone and an upcoming Panasonic cord- connection fails, so does your phone
Packet8 ships you a free adapter for your less system. The UTStarcom F1000 Wi-Fi service. Your phone connection is lost
old phone. You can get Uniden’s compat- phone lets you make and receive Vonage during power outages. However, one thing
ible cordless phone for $80 (after a $110 calls anywhere you can access Wi-Fi net- is certain:The Internet is unmistakably the
rebate), which doesn’t require an adapter work, at home or on the road. future of telephony.
and is expandable without the need for
SunRocket: www.sunrocket.com Contact [email protected] with
extra phone jacks or Internet connections.
A one-year subscription for unlimited comments and feedback.
domestic calling costs
Skype: www.Skype.com
$199, which works
Skype is the hottest net phone in the mar-
out to about $17 a
ket today. Can 42 million users go wrong?
month. Month-to-
That’s how many people worldwide have
month service costs
installed Skype, a free PC-to-PC phone
$25. There is also
service that, for a fee, will also make and
a limited month-to-
receive calls to and from conventional
month service that
telephones. If you want to call an actual
costs $9.95 for 200
phone number, you need to pay. Calls
minutes including
cost 2 cents a minute and you need to buy
3 cents a minute to
minutes in 10-hour blocks. To receive
about 30 countries.
a call, you will need a “SkypeIn” phone
Again, India is not in
number, which runs about $36 a year or
that list and it costs
about $12 for three months. “SkypeOut”
about 12 cents to 15
rates to India range from 17 cents to 19
cents a minute to call
cents a minute depending on the location
India.
and whether you’re calling a landline or
mobile. When you sign up,
SunRocket ships
For the free service, you need a PC, a
you its Gizmo phone
microphone and speakers, or you can buy
adapter, which con-
a cordless handset from Skype. Skype
nects to your modem.
doesn’t support 911 at all, so it’s not for
You just plug your
everyone. However, if you keep a bare-
phone into the Gizmo
bones landline as a backup, it’s a great
and start gabbing.
way to save a bundle.
The annual $199
Vonage: www.vonage.com
service is a real value,
The country’s largest Internet phone ser-
CityMasala 10 May 2006