News / Author / Shara Ashraf

Shara Ashraf

Shara Ashraf writes on lifestyle, food, fashion, beauty and health, for the daily Entertainment & Lifestyle supplement, HT City.

Articles by Shara Ashraf

This lucky mom found her son after 15 years as she recovered lost memories

After 15 agonizing years, Supreme Court lawyer Rama Devi Chowdhary was reunited with her son when a sudden rush of memories helped her recall his name.

The inseparables: When you see Rama Devi Chowdhary and her son Mitrajit, not for a moment it feels that the two have just met after a separation of 15 long years.(Photo: Rajesh Kashyap/HT)

india news

Updated on Nov 30, 2020 10:08 AM IST

ByShara Ashraf Prayag

Golgappa to dim sum: Beetroot is having a moment in the food world

Chefs have come up with the most imaginative dishes featuring the humble root vegetable

lifestyle

Updated on Nov 25, 2020 09:07 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag

When Abhilash Thapliyal played an object on purpose

Many would wonder what’s going on here, but they wouldn’t raise an eyebrow if a woman shot such pictures, says the actor and host

The actor and host felt very uncomfortable striking those weird poses with mango ice-cream dripping down navel, he says.

lifestyle

Updated on Nov 10, 2020 02:36 PM IST

ByShara Ashraf Prayag

There is something called fashion therapy

Fashion, lifestyle and fitness influencer Neha Modi Jalan shows us how to celebrate positivity with personal style

lifestyle

Updated on Sep 27, 2020 09:14 PM IST

ByShara Ashraf Prayag

Fun, Festive and Fantastical

When Covid gave us masks, we made them look so chic! The green monster couldn’tdull our sparkle!

A burnt gold mask with beaded laces adds a fairytale touch to this dramatic number

lifestyle

Updated on Sep 27, 2020 09:44 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag

“He asked me to strip, said that’s the only way to get modelling assignments”

Gullible youngsters are sliding into dangerous traps set by social media-savvy racketeers who promise a flourishing career in modelling and acting. These men allegedly resort to extortion, blackmailing and even sexual assault once girls refuse to comply with their wishes.

india news

Updated on Sep 01, 2020 12:24 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag & Prerna Gauba

A bittersweet goodbye: Chinese girl stuck in India finally left for home

Remember Zhang Aixi, the Chinese citizen stuck in India for the last five months? The solo traveler finally left for home in a special rescue flight.

The young traveler, Zhang Aixi had found a home away from home at Earth Saviors Foundation in Haryana.

india news

Updated on Jun 13, 2020 10:30 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag

Kindling kindness: Actor Parvin Dabas became a messiah for migrant families in distress

Someone forwarded Dabas a hungry child’s photo on WhatsApp; the actor traced the boy’s family and sent ration kits to them and fifty other families in the neighbourhood.

india news

Updated on Jun 10, 2020 10:52 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag

The invincible India: This Ram-Rahman duo prays together for the world to heal

Corona warriors SHO Ram Prasad Sharma and head constable Askar Khan have set an amazing example of Hindu-Muslim unity.

On Eid, head constable Askar Khan was on duty at an idgah along with SHO Ram Prasad Sharma

india news

Updated on Jun 04, 2020 03:59 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag & Prerna Gauba

The India we love: Meet Vishnu who rode 150 km on his bike to save 4-year-old Noor

With tears in her eyes, the kid’s mother said that she would always pray for me; that was the greatest reward I could ever get, says the former cop.

When Vishnu, a former cop got to know about the little girl from his friend, Antony Ratheesh, a police officer, he immediately decided to help her.

india news

Updated on Jun 01, 2020 11:25 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag

The India we love: Muslim man breaks fast to save a Hindu woman and her child

There is no affiliation higher than humanity, says Abid Saifi who donated blood to a pregnant Hindu woman

Abid Saifi, a social worker got this information through Sandeep Kumar, admin of Jai Hind Blood Group, a WhatsApp group that helps patients connect with donors.

india news

Updated on May 27, 2020 08:36 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag, New Delhi

When you love, you don’t give up: Migrant workers refuse to part from their pets

A family of migrant workers chose to carry their pets along even as they took the long road home.

Natraj says that some migrants were also carrying cats and rabbits. They didn’t let anyone click their pictures.(AP file photo. Representative image)

india news

Updated on May 14, 2020 04:31 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag

Think of India as one big family: Brave Punjab Sub Inspector Harjeet Singh

The police officer whose hand was chopped off with a sword by Nihangs is slowly recovering. He appeals to everyone to stand by Covid-19 warriors

Singh is thankful for all the love and blessings that he has received from across India

india news

Updated on Apr 29, 2020 11:27 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: The story of a Chinese girl stuck in India

After suffering a mental breakdown, Chinese citizen Zhang Aixi had no place to go. The young solo traveler found a home away from home at a Haryana based NGO.

In such a charged atmosphere, Zhang Aixi, a Chinese citizen found herself stuck as the lockdown was announced. Zhang had come to India on a solo trip in January.

india news

Updated on Apr 30, 2020 09:51 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag & Swati Chaturvedi

The ‘catwomen’ of Daryaganj : Two women walked 10 km in the heat to save a stray cat

Fatima and Sultana could not bear to see the pregnant cat in a terrible state after she suffered a fall.

No one agreed to give them a lift so the women walked all the way to the clinic, carrying the cat in a basket.

cities

Updated on Apr 24, 2020 03:59 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag

This Pakistani pilot urges the world to always stay united

It’s through the darkest times that we see humanity prevail, let’s stay this way in the best of the times as well, says Mahipal Ladher, the second Hindu pilot of Pakistan

Mahipal Ladher belongs to Tharparkar that sets a beautiful example of Hindu-Muslims unity where the two communities draw strength from a shared heritage and history

world news

Updated on Apr 25, 2020 06:28 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag

This Delhi man risked his life for a stranger in distress

Driving non-stop for 24 hours, Hemant Bhayana helped a stranger who wanted to perform the last rites of his mother

Hemant Bhayana drove his car non-stop, covering about 1326 km in 24 hours from Delhi to Bhagalpur, Bihar to help a migrant in distress.

india news

Updated on Apr 22, 2020 09:15 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag

Humour does what force can’t: Policemen show their fun and quirky side

Amidst lockdown, police officers across India have come up with cool ways to deter people from stepping out

india news

Updated on Apr 04, 2020 07:06 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag, New Delhi

Thanks to social prejudice, transgenders are a neglected lot

Transgenders are facing neglect in this distressing phase due to bias that runs deeps in the society. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has come to their rescue

While other daily wage earners have some social network, this is an isolated and a highly ostracized community(Amal KS/HT PHOTO)

lifestyle

Updated on Mar 31, 2020 08:20 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag

Shayari goes live in the time of corona

Urdu poets across India are conducting live mushairas on Facebook to help cope with the crisis

Reciting poetry online is proving to be a great way for them to make people stay at home and deal with fear, anxiety, depression and boredom during the pandemic, say these poets.

lifestyle

Updated on Mar 31, 2020 03:23 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag

Can’t thank these kind, humane officers enough: Specially-abled girl

Compassion makes this world a better place, says Virali Modi who got immediate help from Mumbai Police during the lockdown

Virali Modi has been wheelchair bound for the last 14 years after suffering paralysis from waist down due to a serious illness.

india news

Updated on Mar 30, 2020 02:42 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag, New Delhi

Meet Mansi Shah, the 36-year-old Mumbaikar, whose spirited 9 second video, shouting ‘Go corona go’, went viral

As Mansi beat a spoon against a thali, she also shouted ‘go corona go’ enthusiastically. Her mom-in-law shot the video from a distance, and shared it in one of her whatsapp groups.

Mansi had never imagined that she was going to be ruthlessly trolled and body shamed for her act.

lifestyle

Updated on Mar 30, 2020 12:08 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag, New Delhi

Once upon a Holi: A heartwarming tale

We celebrate the hues of love, compassion and harmony this Holi, as we tell you the tale of two families that set a beautiful example of co-existence.

A celebration of hope, a prayer for peace. May this Holi heal, may good overcome evil...Atharva, Sameer, Shivika and Shama let their wishes take wings as stunning spirals of colour make the haveli look even more enchanting.

lifestyle

Updated on Mar 07, 2020 08:04 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag and Prerna Gauba Sibbal

World Day of Social Justice 2020: These amazingly-abled individuals inspire and how!

It’s World Day of Social Justice on February 20. We celebrate the heroes who have courageously knocked down the discriminatory barrier of disability

Specially abled IAS officer IRA Singhal at DMRC Children Home, Salaam Baalak Trust, New Delhi, India.(Manoj Verma/ Hindustan Times)

lifestyle

Updated on Mar 12, 2020 06:06 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag, Prerna Gauba and Akshay Kaushal, New Delhi

Valentine’s Day Special: Love Will Find a Way…

…through paths where wolves fear to prey, said the legendary British poet Lord Byron. Our Valentine’s Day special celebrates couples that stuck together, despite the world telling them that their love was doomed. These couples recreate history’s greatest lovers whose tales have been immortalised in films, theatre and various works of art.

The legendary love story of Heer and Ranjha was written by Waris Shah, in the 18th century. Here, Rudrani plays Heer while her partner Shadab plays Ranjha.(PHOTO: RAAJESSH KASHYAP/HT)

lifestyle

Updated on Feb 14, 2020 06:15 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag and Prerna Gauba

Showiness is out, sensibility is in

Real, relatable, responsible — that’s how food’s going to be this year

Food will play a much deeper role than just satiating hunger and pleasing taste buds

lifestyle

Updated on Jan 24, 2020 02:11 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag, New Delhi

You can’t break me

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women just went by. We spoke to women from the world of television and cinema, who were trapped in abusive relationships. They shared what gave them the strength to fight back their perpetrator and rebuild their lives all over again.

Women from the world of television and cinema spoke about domestic violence(Photo: Shutterstock)

lifestyle

Updated on Dec 04, 2019 01:25 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag and Prerna Gauba

When dancing means survival

With too many mouths to feed, these young dancers from Uttar Pradesh brave society’s disdain, ogling eyes and sore muscles to put up a performance. We spent a day with them when they visited the city recently to dance at a fair.

(The girls earn between <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>500 to <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1,000 per day. They live in tents behind the stage for 10 days during Ramleela. “For the rest of the year, we dance at jaagrans and weddings. There are loans to be paid off, children to be fed. We set up tents near the venue. Isko party lagana kehte hain (We call it setting up a party),” says Aarti.)

lifestyle

Updated on Oct 22, 2019 05:58 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag

Prayers from Pakistan: You will always live in our hearts, Sushma Ji

Unlike what many think, a large number of Pakistanis remember Sushma Swaraj as a compassionate, courageous leader who went out of her way to help those in distress

Many in Pakistan remember Sushma Swaraj as a big-hearted politician who stood by those in distress, unconditionally

india news

Updated on Aug 08, 2019 06:18 PM IST

ByShara Ashraf Prayag

The fire within us: International Firefighters’ Day special

On the occasion of International Firefighters’ Day, we took these brave firefighters to meet individuals they had rescued years ago, risking their own lives. It was a reunion like no other!

With the help of the firefighters, we traced the individuals who they had successfully rescued from the deadliest of fires. It didn’t seem possible in the beginning, as people had shifted cities, changed jobs, or moved to new localities in the last few years. But, we were luckily able to connect to a few individuals who were rescued by these firemen. It was a highly emotional moment as the rescuers met their rescuees after years.(Shivam Saxena/Hindustan Times)

lifestyle

Published on May 04, 2019 12:34 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByShara Ashraf Prayag, Prerna Gauba Sibbal, Abhinav Verma, New Delhi

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Shara Ashraf

Shara Ashraf writes on lifestyle, food, fashion, beauty and health, for the daily Entertainment & Lifestyle supplement, HT City.

After 15 agonizing years, Supreme Court lawyer Rama Devi Chowdhary was reunited with her son when a sudden rush of memories helped her recall his name.

Chefs have come up with the most imaginative dishes featuring the humble root vegetable

Many would wonder what’s going on here, but they wouldn’t raise an eyebrow if a woman shot such pictures, says the actor and host

Fashion, lifestyle and fitness influencer Neha Modi Jalan shows us how to celebrate positivity with personal style

When Covid gave us masks, we made them look so chic! The green monster couldn’tdull our sparkle!

Gullible youngsters are sliding into dangerous traps set by social media-savvy racketeers who promise a flourishing career in modelling and acting. These men allegedly resort to extortion, blackmailing and even sexual assault once girls refuse to comply with their wishes.

Remember Zhang Aixi, the Chinese citizen stuck in India for the last five months? The solo traveler finally left for home in a special rescue flight.

Someone forwarded Dabas a hungry child’s photo on WhatsApp; the actor traced the boy’s family and sent ration kits to them and fifty other families in the neighbourhood.

Corona warriors SHO Ram Prasad Sharma and head constable Askar Khan have set an amazing example of Hindu-Muslim unity.

With tears in her eyes, the kid’s mother said that she would always pray for me; that was the greatest reward I could ever get, says the former cop.

There is no affiliation higher than humanity, says Abid Saifi who donated blood to a pregnant Hindu woman

A family of migrant workers chose to carry their pets along even as they took the long road home.

The police officer whose hand was chopped off with a sword by Nihangs is slowly recovering. He appeals to everyone to stand by Covid-19 warriors

After suffering a mental breakdown, Chinese citizen Zhang Aixi had no place to go. The young solo traveler found a home away from home at a Haryana based NGO.

Fatima and Sultana could not bear to see the pregnant cat in a terrible state after she suffered a fall.

It’s through the darkest times that we see humanity prevail, let’s stay this way in the best of the times as well, says Mahipal Ladher, the second Hindu pilot of Pakistan

Driving non-stop for 24 hours, Hemant Bhayana helped a stranger who wanted to perform the last rites of his mother

Amidst lockdown, police officers across India have come up with cool ways to deter people from stepping out

Transgenders are facing neglect in this distressing phase due to bias that runs deeps in the society. The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has come to their rescue

Urdu poets across India are conducting live mushairas on Facebook to help cope with the crisis

Compassion makes this world a better place, says Virali Modi who got immediate help from Mumbai Police during the lockdown

As Mansi beat a spoon against a thali, she also shouted ‘go corona go’ enthusiastically. Her mom-in-law shot the video from a distance, and shared it in one of her whatsapp groups.

We celebrate the hues of love, compassion and harmony this Holi, as we tell you the tale of two families that set a beautiful example of co-existence.

It’s World Day of Social Justice on February 20. We celebrate the heroes who have courageously knocked down the discriminatory barrier of disability

Real, relatable, responsible — that’s how food’s going to be this year

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women just went by. We spoke to women from the world of television and cinema, who were trapped in abusive relationships. They shared what gave them the strength to fight back their perpetrator and rebuild their lives all over again.

With too many mouths to feed, these young dancers from Uttar Pradesh brave society’s disdain, ogling eyes and sore muscles to put up a performance. We spent a day with them when they visited the city recently to dance at a fair.

Unlike what many think, a large number of Pakistanis remember Sushma Swaraj as a compassionate, courageous leader who went out of her way to help those in distress

On the occasion of International Firefighters’ Day, we took these brave firefighters to meet individuals they had rescued years ago, risking their own lives. It was a reunion like no other!

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