Subject: [world-vedic] From India to Russia w/Love
Date: Tue, 06 Aug 2002 12:19:07 -0000
From: pti
Reply-To: vediculture@yahoogroups.com
To: vediculture@yahoogroups.com

PTI [ TUESDAY, AUGUST 06, 2002  9:28:06 AM ]

MOSCOW: "Bindi iz Indii" (bindis from India) are the new craze among
young Russian girls.

Bindis are being used as an element of 'body art' along with pierced
noses, tattoos and mehndi-dyed hands and many girls can be seen
displaying fancy bindis on their bellies, a thing unimaginable in
Communist Russia where tight jeans, mini-skirts, hotpants and tank
tops were virtually a taboo.

Ready-to-use self-sticking bindis can be bought in many kiosks
selling cheap Indian souvenirs and incense sticks as well as high-
profile beauty parlours.

In a recent programme on fashion, popular radio station Ekho Moskvy
(Moscow Echo) described the history of bindis and their usage as an
element of body art. The programme gave instructions on how to
prolong the life of factory-made self-sticking bindis as well as how
to make them at home and decorate them with cheap artificial stones
and beads.

Ironically, Russia, which traditionally has good relations with
India, is coming to know of many of India's cultural exports from
the West.

Most local department stores offer a whole range of Indian spices
and curry mixes packed in France, Germany, England and Israel but
not in India.

"I first had a taste of Indian food in the US," 25-year-old Anna
said, adding "ever since, I prefer Indian food, specially because I
am a vegetarian."

Spicy Indian curry and tandoori chicken are also gaining in
popularity in Moscow and other major cities and more Russians and
Europeans frequent the over half-a-dozen Indian restaurants in
Moscow in the evening hours than people from the sub-continent.