Kumar Sangakkara Announces His Retirement

Sri Lankan legend and one of the greatest ever to play Test Cricket, Kumar Sangakkara announced that He will retire after the 2nd Test against India to be played later this year.

Bangladesh Blank India in the First ODI

I had recently written about how Bangladesh Cricket was finally looking up after they had 'BanglaWashed' Pakistan 3-0 in an ODI series. Yesterday, they displayed another show of their rapid improvement when they blanked a full strength Indian team with relative ease.

Debutant bowler Mustafizur Rahman fizzed out 5 Indian batsmen as his assortment of cutters and slower balls on a slow pitch in Dhaka were too much for the Indian line up to handle. Bangladeshi batting had been given a rapid start by Tamim Iqbal and a rampaging Saumya Sarkar as they raced to 100 in the 14th over. Although they lost momentum after the start but crisp contributions from Sabbir, Nasir, Shakib and Mortaza meant that Bangladesh had crossed 300 for the very first time against the Indians.

The batsmen were superbly backed up by the Bangla quartet of fast bowlers with the debutant Mustafizur leading the way. The raucous Dhaka crowd had got their moneys worth when Mortaza and Taskin repeated their World Cup chest bump, only this time it was sweeter as Bangladesh had ended up on the winning side.

Tips for Healthy Radiant Skin - Naturally!

Nowadays, with the busy hectic routine lives that we have come to be accustomed with, does it often seem easier and convenient to you to just pick a skin care lotion or a cream right out of the shelf for a few bucks instead of investing time and energy by our own selves as our mothers and grandmothers used to do in their era?

Yes - so, what is wrong in that? The results are fast and the skin glow –instant, isn’t it?!

Right. But, did you know - this beauty that you regale in is temporary! What’s more, instead of nourishing your skin, some of these chemical-laced products can have drastic consequences in the long run including dangerous disesases like cancer!

The only solution is to go back to our roots and follow the skin care regimes already outlined by our ancestors. This was a time when beauty was not a dictate followed by the market driven community but a wisely driven venture that was natural, healthy and ayurvedic (Remember that ad: Vicco Turmeric – Nahi cosmetic…).

Natural remedies for beautiful skin known over the years have many benefits over their cosmetic counterparts - one of them being that they are really really easy to incorporate in our busy lives. Let me share a few of these, passed down by my mother to whom I am and will forever remain indebted for my healthy and youthful skin:

1. Drink plenty of water.

My mom always tells me “drink lots of water” and it makes sense too. Our bodies are 65 % water. No wonder then, our skin loves it. Water hydrates our skin and keeps it supple, smooth, wrinkle free and ageless. The benefits of drinking water on our bodies are truly innumerable.

2. Use of Multani Mitti.

Dirt and grime are a part and parcel of my everyday life, thanks to the pollution all around. Owing to my oily skin, there are times when an odd painful pimple pops out suddenly. In times like these, I turn to my mom and she has a remedy: Multani Mitti. Multani Mitti or fullers earth is a natural clay substance that has amazing healing properties against acne and sores. I have used it on numerous occasions and it has worked wonders for my skin – always!

3. Avoid Junk Food.

Jaisa Ann waisa mann. My mom always stresses on eating home cooked food which is full in vital nutrients and cooked in a hygienic, loving manner. Who can deny the benefits of natural fruits, vegetables and spices like papaya, blackberries, oranges, turmeric, broccoli, etc. over junk food filled in artificial flavors and preservative? Natural foods are laced in essential vitamins and antioxidants that are needed for a blemish free radiant skin.

4. Get adequate sleep.

Sleep is the best form of meditation. So says the global spiritual leader, Dalai Lama. My mom agrees. Sleep is often one of the most neglected, overlooked and abused part of our lifestyle that can cause puffy eyes, increase anxiety that can lead to lackluster lifeless skin. Imagine giving an important presentation in such a state! A good night's sleep keeps you and your skin fresh and beautiful for any and all kinds of activities during the day.

5. Protect yourself from the harsh sun.

Proper skin care from the harsh UV rays of the sun is important. Roaming unprotected in the sun can wreck havoc on the naturally sensitive skin making it coarse severe and sometimes irreversible sun damage. Carry an umbrella or wear a hat before stepping out of the house. I also use Aloe Vera leaf gel which has tremendous moisturizing effect, an instant relief to soothe my ultra sensitive skin.

These are the tips I follow. What about you?

Share your natural and healthy skin care tips and tricks in the comment section too!