The Lunchbox
The soul of India can be found in the colours, tastes and smell of its food, so it seems appropriate that DIFF Muhr Asia Africa jury member Shekhar Kapur called the old-fashioned romance called The Lunchbox “The most ‘Indian’ film I’ve seen in a long time”. In the film, Irrfan Khan plays Saajan, an accountant approaching retirement with a fear of growing old. Nimrit Kaur’s Ila has a husband who fails to notice her and, though a mixup, ends up cooking tantalising Indian meals for Saajan accompanied by a note. They open their hearts to each other, even though they’ve never met. Debut director Ritesh Batra depicts his characters as alienated from those around them, clinging to home comforts in a modern India moving too fast for them to catch up.
The film got a warm reception from the audience at DIFF.
“It wasn’t glamourised, it was realistic,” said a woman from India who caught the Wednesday night screening. “Other Indian films don’t compare. I was a true work of art.
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Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Racecard
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Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
