Reader’s Digest India | January 2012 Issue | Magazine Reviews

Loosing weight is the mantra of the generation now. Actually when you hear about the new year resolution this is surely part of most people’s list of resolutions. There is entire industry working on weight loosing stuffs including foods, sport accessories, exercises, coaching, videos and many more. Of course taking good care of health is a must thing in one’s life and obesity leads to many dangerous things. The first issue of Reader’s digest for the year 2012 have the central article about “Eat These Loose Weight” – on the science of dieting, as the cover page suggests. Actually new year comes with inspiration to have great resolutions for the coming year. And January 2011 issue was also having a similar article. The central point is you don’t have to be skinny or rib-showing body but having a full control on the body and the same under control and can work up to expectations is good enough.

Let’s dig inside the magazine to see what more it offers!

Starting with the React section where readers express their views and reviews regarding the past issue(s). The article about Advice for Women got positive reviews from readers. Dr. Gowri Yale’s emotional reaction about the polar bear’s tale are really overwhelming. It is short yet sweet letter. If all the humans think that way, the world will be a great to live for all the creatures. A reader with open eye and correct knowledge guides towards a mistake in an article. He is one of the people who let the knowledge spread correctly. Kudos.

In Right Here Right Now section, details about thenounproject.com are provided in brief. In 1975 there was a boom about office-automation and claims that computer will lead to a new kind of offices. The usage of paper will be stopped in the offices, though the paperless office is yet to come. A briefing about the same is there. Information about modular shoes is also there.

Good reading section is also there of course, and following are the books mentioned:

An article about Tigers titled Tigers Forever by Bittu Sahgal explores the natural and Jungle stuff very well. It was an incident explained by him which is similar to a mini-travelogue. (BTW: Bittu Sahgal is the editor of Sanctuary Asia Magazine and a member of National Board for Wildlife).

The kind act of a stranger that made your day, under this section there are three incidents. One lady, when on run from her beating husband, was supported and sheltered by an unknown couple for a week. Her life went on the right path then after. One couple in Australia was on shortage of stuff in their newly bought home on the day of Christmas and how their neighbour made their day. How a customer got a Rs. 500 note (currency) from ATM which was in genuine and the lady in charge disagree with him and a junior staff member stand by him. These are the real people, real heroes which make other think positive and believe in humanity. If all go the selfish way, the society will no more be a good place to live at.

Chirstopher Hitchens’ article about freedom of speech elaborates how great asset it is. BTW: Christopher died last month was a columnist at Vanity Fair apart from being an author. Democracy, National security, Freedom of expression via speech, are the main aspects expored in detail; and shows the thinking level of the author. May God bless his soul.

Then comes the article which is the theme of this month’s issue. It is about to loose weight but using the science of diet. It is based on the interview of Gary Taubes, the science journalist who explains the difference between the conventional diet and the planned (or tailor made diet to fulfill one’s actual requirements) diet. 5 golden rules to start with are also explained by him. Which we let for you to read in the magazine itself.

There comes a photographic journey to Istanbul, one of the coolest cities of Europe, where we can say actually East meets West taken from National Geographic Traveler. The details described in the article made us think about James Bond’s journey there 🙂 In travel tips, the address of some Hotels, Food zones, Clubs, Bazaar and places not to be missed when visit are mentioned with the website address. Which is great. So you can go visit the website and find what actually will be available there. The photos of Tram in the city and the Spice Bazaar are good. The article also reminds the famous Hindi films like Mission Istanbul and more…

Back from the Dead is the account of Niolyis Garcia and her son Jacob’s life and strange and miraculous experiences they have. After the birth Jacob’s pulse was steady but he was getting weaker and weaker by each passing seconds and it was very tough if not impossible to save him. How the miracle happened? This is the real-life drama along with the photos of the miracle workers.

Possibly one of the most talked about lady, Michelle Obama, the first lady of USA, is entering her fourth year in the White House. RD arranged an interview with her and the details like have her life seen any changes during the period or by heart she is the one she was earlier; are explored. Questions about th Millitary are there of course in addition to other stuff like her relations with her mother and more.

Do you know that the oldest diamonds formed some 3.3 billion year ago from at least 150 kilometers below the Earth’s surface? Well there are more fascinating details there for you to read about the Diamonds in the article by Doris Kochanek.

A nice slogan in the article “We have lots of reasons for being rude – But No excuses” provokes us to self-analyze that where are our manners? How to be calm and behave like a human living in a society rather than a beast in the jungle. Some of the catchy sections are

• Fast Broadband, Slow People
• We are all … distracted
• We are used to anonymity
• Its what we see on reality TV
• There is no incentive to be polite
• We don’t give people the benefit of doubt

The list of 50 manners we must have is “the must read”.

The art of being creative is the article about the experts, entrepreneurs and artist; who didn’t only though different but implemented their thoughts too. There are nine ideas about being creative are good to know and better to implant in the children from early age (and there is never too late for the grown ups too).

An article about less know Mark Carney by Julia Belluz explores that this fellow who works behind the scenes but his achievements are notable. He is the governor of the Bank Of Canada and his efforts in keeping his country and his bank unhurt from the challenging economic conditions are simply unique.

In addition the humor and other regular sections are there which make it a worth read. Despite of the fear of being repetitive we must conclude with the words that there are better ways to earn money by selling provocative or entertainment oriented material only, but providing quality and inspirational read is the best a magazine can do. There are a few such magazines and one should go to read the same.