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WRITE TO RENNE
Raspberry & Rum Film & FASHION
Pallavi to perform 
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Model Lives Pirouetting, pouting, draped in scarves, shawls and snug T-shirts to keep the chill at bay, these ladies are the Indian ramps scorchers’— sashaying their ways into style manuals with their elfin looks and petite frames! When 15 of the top models grace any occasion, the result is sheer flair and flamboyance. Currently in town for the fashion show to mark the inaugural event of the two-day Fashion Knowledge Forum as a forerunner to the Fashion Technology Park and the Business School of Fashion coming up at Mohali, these young women, sans makeup, looked scrubbed and fresh, young and eager, smart and spiffy. Moi Cherie Right from catwalk stalwarts like Nethra Raghuraman to young buds like Krishna Somani, they appeared bright as cherries, ready to walk the walk, posing for the clicking cameras with élan. Veteran of sorts, Nethra Raghuraman made waves when she won the Femina Look of the Year title in 1997 which incidentally she applied for as a lark! However, having dabbled with films (Bhopal Express, Inteqaam—The Perfect Game, Kafan—now titled Forgotten Showers and she does not know why!), Nethra believes “films is not my cup of tea”. Modelling for her is “mainstay”. 6 or 7 years ago the idea of jumping onto a plane and travelling around seemed great but now living out of a suitcase is tiring. The strange thing is it is a Catch-22 situation; if you do not have it you miss it.” So what is her style mantra? “Trends come and go. However what is important is to wear what is comfortable and looks good on you today. I say today because you should change not only to suit yourself physically but mentally too. That is important.” Colour black For gorgeous Nina Manuel, fashion shows are not tough. “It is exciting, part of the job, like working anywhere else. In fact we have it much easier than other jobs so really cannot complain!” This lovely model first noticed in the San Miguel ad as the alluring waitress believes fashion cannot be defined and is “something comfortable but not necessarily expensive.” What then are the three ‘must-haves’ in a wardrobe? “A nice black dress, white shirt and a nice fitting pair of blue jeans,” she smiles. And how does she keep her figure a perfect 10? “I do not follow a diet but I work out as regularly as I can,” she maintains, her words, of course, belying her well-toned body. Apple a day Doe-eyed beauty Monikangana Dutta, munching into an apple, also does not believe in dieting but eating right and exercising twice a week when she can.” Winning the Miss North East Contest in 2001 while still at school did not however launch her onto the ramp. Armed with bachelor’s degree from Jesus and Mary College in Political Science in Delhi, she took part in the Metropolitan Top Model Contest in 2003 and her career soared. This dusky beauty who has had modelling stints in Paris is gunning for the big ones in New York now. “I am moving to Mumbai after the 15th of this month and will then go on to Paris. I have had some feelers in New York too which I am still working on.” For lissom and light-eyed Krishna Somani, home is Delhi and nowhere else. She cannot even think of leaving it! For this lovely girl, fashion is a statement that complements a person and the best part of modelling has been the travelling and the new interactions at every place. Kuala Lampur particularly holds fond memories for her. For Krishna is it the ramp and nothing else right now. No television and certainly no films for that would mean leaving Delhi! “Also, most Bollywood actors are not as tall as I am so no films!” she laughs. Her fitness mantra is eating more and working out! She certainly does not look the part with a body built like an athlete! With neat frames and funky attitudes these ladies have all that it takles to touch the skies above!
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Madly in
Design Ah, what a dream! Petite frames with flawless skin, perfect make-up, hair dripping with gel and clothes reflecting oodles of glamour. Well, these are the models setting a million ramps on fire. Flashlights, photographers and fashion journos—all forever ready to capture their feminine flounce. Be it those rip-roaring launches, boisterous bashes or snazzy fashion shows, they capture all the hype, humour, gloss and glitz. But what about those who weave magic with hard work, creativity, sparkle and spunk? Yes, we are talking about the designers who dazzle the world with their ooh-la-la outfits. What’s it like to be a part of their world? Let’s peep into the weave of their creative insanity. Passion play
Passion is what famous designer Ranna Gill calls her profession. “I believe there’s no room for any sanity in this profession. One has to be completely mad to survive.” As I begin to raise my eyebrows, Ranna goes on to explain her concept of ‘madness’, “One has to be mad enough to put all of ones emotions, passions and sweat into designing. Look at me, I’ve signed my whole life to it.” Of course, this young petite designer who completed an associate degree from NIFT New Delhi in 1991 and Bachelor’s degree from New York, has fashion designing in her blood. What else would explain her quietly sitting in her design studio for hours, dabbling with colours and fabrics. But how about basking in the limelight that models do? Comes a wry smile, “It’s kind of ok now. Models are just a medium to showcase our creations, but their pretty faces get all the cameras, especially in smaller cities, that lack exposure. But I can’t lament it. After all, it’s a hand and glove relation that we share.”Hard work Then there’s another very hardworking designer Suneeta Shankar. An ex-NIFTian, Shankar’s been actually going to villages in Bengal, Kutch and UP and working with the craftsmen there. She opines, “A fashion show is almost like watching a movie here. Most people flock to fashion shows just for fun and bird watching. Of late, thanks to international exposure, people are getting fashion savvy and actually notice the dresses worn by models. Also more people are ready to pay for designer outfits. So a well-organized market for our stuff is building up and that’s the main thing we should be concerned about. Let the models get attention as long as our designs get it too.” she laughs. Creative vibes Adds another Delhi based designer Mini Singh, “Designing, as most people think, is not just about glamour. There’s a lot of hard work that goes into it.” Mini, who’s been into designing for more than 10 years now, providing garments to the likes of Meena Bazaar, Gulatis and Paushak, besides her international clients, feels that designing is not a mere hobby. “One has to have that grit and determination to sit for long hours with the karigars and guide them about transforming ones own creative vision on fabric.” So friends, the next time your heart misses a beat, looking at that mesmerising model stuttering down the ramp, don’t forget to put your hands together for all that designers’ hard work that goes behind it all!
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Full of Beans
Crushed coffee beans! The image is tantalising and for all of us who have nursed hot mugs of this golden-brown liquid in our hands, coffee is akin to a “renaissance” of the spirit no less! The city loves its brewing cup for sure and this is going by the number of cafés it nurtures within its precincts. The first coffee lounge in the city, Mr Beans in Sector 9-D, delights with its ambience and delicious arrays of coffees. The setting is creamy, soothing, airy and spacious. Large comfy black leather sofas dot the room with pristine glass tables as do vigorous pictures of sheikhs mastering the art of creating and pouring out the traditional black Turkish bitter. From a simple Espresso (Rs 15) to a single shot marked with foamed milk to a Vanilla Clod (the sugar free version), coffee with cinnamon, vanilla and skimmed milk (Rs 40), there are over 20 different shades and blends-hot and cold-to choose from!
The brew combined with adventurous accompaniments like cornflakes, coconut, almond flavour, butter rum, tiramisu buzz around making choices difficult! With lilting Arabic music playing, the colourful, rustic glass “embroidered” sheeshas heaped in a corner, filled with fruit flavoured (but strictly no tobacco!) coals and the low Turkish coffee house seating in one corner with sprinkled lighting makes for a charming coffee lounge. If the vibes do not fill you, the nibbles surely will. Chocolate brownies (Rs 30), plum cake (Rs 50), apple pie (Rs 35), burgers, chicken croissants (Rs 30), sandwiches (Rs 45) will sate your appetite as well. Granitas, milkshakes, juices and lavish sundaes are the non-coffee options should you wish to exercise your selection beyond this wondrous drink. As Mr Beans gets ready to celebrate its second birthday on November 9, owner Vineet Chauhan plans to take his venture beyond the realm of coffee! A discotheque or a “rain dance” club is on the cards for next year, a treat for all those youngsters who renew their verve over his cuppa! If you wish to celebrate the vitality of coffee you can party with Mr Beans at Aerizzona on November 11 at Rs 350 per pass per couple from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Until then infuse your mind with the aroma that adds a zing to life!
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Painting Sound However, his exhibition, ‘Window of Sounds’, are not for the layman “but for those working with the culture of the visual language,” believes Sanjeev.
Water colours on hand-made paper marked with whorls of blushes divided into squares with geometric shapes and patterns interspersed with circles signifying reverberations of sound make for an interesting exhibition, both vivid and appealing. Painting for this exhibition started in December 2002, halted for 6 to 8 months after his father passed away in April 2003 has finally borne fruit this year, after Sanjeev received the Pollack Krasner Grant from the US given to supporting thematic works of art like his for the year 2005-06. The series are to be completed by March 2006. “Abstract visuals, characters of lines, tones, colours and hues cannot be interpreted without knowing what you are seeing. It is a way of how to look at the challenging canvas of changing, shifting day-top-day visuals and my own interpretation of them.” Ironically, it is his soundless journey of capturing his understandings on canvas for, “the purpose of art is communicating honestly.” Bright pictures with symbols of sound in the foreground resonating with the “naad” — vibration — images based on the reflection theory of sound all come together to make the exhibition come alive with colours and reflections. “Sound is an abstract phenomenon so the colours guide me towards the philosophy and meaning behind each note.” His colours echo his passion for life, crimson, yellow, black — the hues vibrate with a pulse of life. Square works strung together to give a whole meaning, the exhibition is an unusual viewing of the abstract. On at Galley Jodh, House No. 741, Sector 11-B till November 14. — Gayatri Rajwade
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WRITE TO
RENNE
I am studying in a co-ed college where eve teasing is a part life. Most of the boys come from influential families and the girls, being too scared too create a scene, do not complain. Even if someone gathers enough courage to do so, threatening calls from these boys start pouring in. Under such circumstances, how is one supposed to behave? Garima Sharma, Ambala Eve teasing is a very common thing, not only in our counter but also all over the world. I always feel that if girls learn to deal with such boys courageously and with dignity, even the naughtiest boy will learn to give them the respect they are entitled to. Just remember that people treat you the way that you want them to. All my life I have looked up to my father and felt this great desire to please him and to live upto his expectations. So much so that I gave up on some of the things closest to my heart. I even left my girlfriend of five years and married the woman he chose for me. I gave up a lucrative career to come and live with him in his old age. But, he still seems dissatisfied with me and critical of my behaviour. He keeps finding fault with my behaviour. I’m wondering if all that I did for him was actually worth it. I’m loosing interest in life. Please help. Rahul Dhir, Chandigarh Please ‘Grow up’. It’s clear that the child within you hasn’t been nurtured. You are still looking for acceptance from your father. You have to first find acceptance within yourself and when that happens, others will naturally accept you. We all grow up looking at our parents like icons, whom we want to emulate and please. But as we grow up, we have to realize that each of us are individuals with our own set of desires and priorities. So, stop over reacting to the situation. Concentrate more on doing what you want in life than just trying to please your father. I’ve been through one bad marriage and one bad relationship and somehow feel that I’ve lost my zest for life. Not only that, I feel no relationship is not worth giving yourself fully and I’ve developed a very critical attitude towards people. Even my girlfriends have started avoiding me as I’ve become snappy and unapproachable. I seriously want to change back to the fun-loving person I used to be. Help. Ritika Sood, Chandigarh The fact that you realise your situation and want to change yourself is the first step to your healing process. Life has many ups and downs and we have to learn to accept them with an open heart and mind. All relationships are our teachers and we have to give them due respect for that. By inflicting hurt on someone else, you’ll actually hurt yourself. So bless the person who’s hurt you, as he actually needs it. Learn to forgive those who’ve hurt you. Just learn to find love and joy in forgiveness and you will naturally feel your zing for life come back.
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What a party! It was special occasion for the hundreds of students of the Canadian Institute for International Studies (CIIS),including the faculty members, who celebrated the college’s fifthfounders day with great zeal and enthusiasm. Students performed plays, skits, bhangra dance to mark the occasion.The programme started on the sober note of a Saraswti Vandana at 7 pm on Saturday. However, a few items later, as the students presented foot- tapping dance items and energetic bhagra dances, the audience joined the dancers off stage and that included even the special guests from Canada, who matched step for step in the balle balle beat.
The programme was interactive and they exchanged notes about traditions and cultures in both countries. Those present on the occasion were the CIIS educational society president B.S. Sandhu, Director CIIS K.S. Mann, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Harbans Lal, former Governor B.K.N. Chibber, Vice-Chancellor, PTU, S.K. Salwan and Vice-Chancellor, PU, N. K. Pathak. Those from the Canadian side included John Bobbette, Cheryl Simpson, Marie Noelle and Dr John Newark. Speaking on this occasion the CIIS Director said it was the platform for the students to showcase their talent. Famous Punjabi singer Dolly Guleria, who was among the invitees, also presented a few songs, adding zing to the celebrations. Later, the students of fashion and designing course organised a fashion show. Draped in classy outfits the participants displayed a wide variety of designs. Models sashaying down the ramp mesmerised the audience with their professionalism. The celebrations went on till late night, finally culminating in a dance party, open for both students and invitees.
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Look free in wraps The catch is to look free even when well within wraps. This is the mood that Freelook, the latest store in town, is celebrating. The store was opened in the city on Monday. Freelook, a brand established in 1983, is continuously working on upgrading and innovation to match the international quality standards. A brand established in form of exclusive stores and shop ‘n’ shops in almost all major cities of India, has now come to town. The men’s collection designed for the age group of 28-45 years, includes a wide range of smart casuals.The energy gear range is the ideal pick for quick getaways, holidays and adventures. The urban fashion range of clothing is great for evenings and is the best option for partygoers. The Freelook women’s wear captures the contemporary fashion mood. Office or home, party or outdoors it provides a readymade ensemble for any occasion. Created from fabrics such as linen, cotton, lycra, crushed and crinkled fabrics like seersuckers and poplins, the women series complements the lifestyle of today’s women. The kid’s wardrobe, which is designed from fabrics those are soft on skin. Its collection displays the exuberant mood, with flamboyant colours and playful designs. The wardrobe goes from sand blasted, faded and frayed denim jeans and jackets, shirts and T-shirts to sweatshirts, pullovers and accessories. The accessories collection in freelook ranges from mufflers, hats, caps, socks, belts, wallets, hair accessories and bags. -TNS
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Raspberry & Rum “Until a few years ago, Tarunam and others had few options. They could either buy milk or dark chocolate. At the most, they could pick up the ones full of almonds, nuts and raisins. For, the Indian manufacturers were offering little more than this”, says Raman of a Sector 11 gift shop. “Swiss milk chocolates with honey and almond nougat were available, but one had to spend a fortune for these.” Her friend Tamanna would wait for her uncle to arrive from Hong Kong with imported chocolates. Excited like a baby with a new doll, she would eat the chocolates piece by piece. But now things taste so different. You simply have to drive down to the arcade and pick up chocolates with rum and raisins. The ones loaded with cherry, coconut, coffee, ginger, lemon, maple, orange, raspberry, rum, strawberry and vanilla creams are also readily available. You can also purchase champagne chocolates in heart shaped boxes with transparent lids tied with nice red alluring ribbons. Of course, all of them are not “made-in-India”. But are not very expensive either. You can pick them up for as less as Rs 15 a piece from some of the stores. If you do not wish to leave the comfort of your house, wait for the dealers selling imported chocolates to ring the bell. They are going from office to office, house to house, selling the products after procuring them from abroad. “We go to countries like England and America for buying the chocolates before selling them here. There are no middlemen. That’s the reason why you get them so cheap”, says Sudhir, one such dealer. But before you buy “unconventional” chocolates, take a hard look at the ingredients. “In some not so good imported chocolates, the principle ingredient is not chocolate or cocoa. Rather, the average cocoa content is less than 20 per cent by volume. In some, it is as low as seven per cent,” says a doctor with the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh. “Such chocolates are rich in sugar, saturated and vegetable fats, besides powder milk and other additives, many of them artificial. These are responsible for chocolate’s undeserved reputation of being fattening, tooth-decaying and generally unhealthy”. So folks, pick them up with love, and caution.
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Film & FASHION
Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta-Jones has rejected the reports of her rivalry with ‘Basic Instinct’ star Sharon Stone as rubbish.
The Welsh beauty, who will play legendary actress Lana Turner in new movie ‘Stompanato’, squarely denied rumours that she upset Stone the by beating her to the lead role in the film.
“I don’t know about Sharon being upset about not getting to play Lana. And I know her well. But guess what? I wanted to be in Basic Instinct 2!” femalefirst quoted Zeta-Jones as saying.
— ANI Paltrow replaces Hurley Oscar winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow has replaced British beauty Elizabeth Hurley, as the new face of Estee Lauder perfumes.
Hurley has been the face of the luxury cosmetic brand since 1995 and will continue in her role as spokes-model. But the lucrative fragrance contract has been passed to Paltrow in a bid to help the company “vamp up its image and make it more sexy”.
— ANI Jennifer Aniston moves on With ex-hubby Brad Pitt playing family games with his current flame, Angelina Jolie and her kids, it seems that Jennifer Aniston has had enough of moping and feeling sorry for herself, and has finally decided to make a move on with her life.
Rumors of her involvement with Vince Vaughn have consistently been doing the rounds of late, after the pair has been spotted getting cozy in public, even though the two have claimed to be just good friends, but her recent utterances that she did not want to revisit her dark divorce days ever again, may indicate that she has got over her heartbreak.
“Even I have had enough of my pity parties.” IOL.com quoted her, as saying.
— ANI Sarah to continue wearing stillettoes! Despite damaging her tendons in a recent sprint in her heels, star of the hit TV series ‘Sex and the City’, Sarah Jessica Parker, has declared that she would never stop wearing them regardless of the consequences.
The sexy star, whose on-screen character Carrie was famous for her love of shoes, especially those by designers Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik, said it was the first time that it had happened to her despite doing the same routine for over seven years during the series.
“I ran down the block, a few weeks ago in these heels, just like I did for seven years, and woke up in the middle of the night in agony. And it turns out I had torn the tendons in my foot- just running in heels”, Femalefirst quoted her, as saying.
But she admits that at 40 her torn tendons were “a little reminder that she was no longer 27”. Since leaving the popular series, the 40-year old fashion icon has not only modelled for Gap but has also launched her very own fragrance called “Lovely.”
— ANI Diaz wants to ‘live happily ever after’
It seems actress Cameron Diaz literally believes in the phrase “they got married and lived happily ever after”, as the Hollywood beauty is convinced that she would have a long and happy married life with current boyfriend Justin Timberlake, with whom she wants at least a 34 year old marriage- just like her parents.
The Charlie’s Angel star, who is said to walk down the aisle soon with her 24-year-old lover, has been dating the pop hunk since May 2003, and is convinced they could have decades of happiness ahead.
“My parents have been married for 34 years. They’re so inspiring to me,” Contactmusic quoted the 33-year-old actress as saying.
“Their commitment is so strong; I’ve always dreamed of something similar for myself,” she added.
— ANI Kirsten Dunst wants to model for Chanel ‘Spiderman’ actress Kirsten Dunst has said that Chanel and Marc Jacobs are her favourite fashion labels and she would love to be a model for Chanel or Marc Jacobs.
“I just love Chanel. It wouldn’t be about the money,” femalefirst quoted her as saying to Metro Newspaper.
Dunst, who is a fan of beautiful Julianne Moore and healthy-looking Gwyneth Paltrow, also said that she had no problems with her image as she is ‘naturally thin’.
— ANI
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Pallavi Saran Mathur, an upcoming name in Bharatnatyam, will perform on November 11 at Pracheen Kala Kendra in Sector 35. The occasion is the 103th Baithak programme of the
kendra. A disciple of renowned Bharatnatyam and Odissi dancer, Padma Vibhushan Sonal Mansingh, Pallavi was initiated into the intricacies of Bharatnatyam when she was merely seven years old. Pallavi has been participating in all major dance festivals in India, including the festival of the Sangeet Natak Akademi and Natyanjali Festival. She has popularised the centuries old temple dance form of Bharatnatyam through her performances and also workshops all over the country.
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Health and Fitness Sleep well: Don’t deprive yourselves of adequate sleep. Sleep deprivation undermines the immune system. Reinforce your defences against viruses like common cold by getting enough sleep. — Dr Rashmi Garg is senior consultant, Fortis, Mohali.
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What the cards say today...
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To experience the perfect melange of coffee, vanilla and caramel, the perfect French Kiss (Rs 40) allures or the delicious coffee dessert with layers of whipped cream, crushed chocolate cookies and chocolate topped with Irish flavoured coffee, the Café Veronica (Rs 100) charms with its russet and creamy frothing! .jpg)
Renee has an array of degrees to add to her experience of dealing with peoples’ problems. Her canvas has been wide, as apart from qualifying as an astrologer and a Gemmology expert, she has run an international business successfully for years. Being a psychotherapist has been major passion and having people for large corporates has been one of her stints. So, rush in your queries to Renee at lifestyle@tribunemail.com or care of Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sector 29-C, Chandigarh-160030.jpg)
Ambling through the aisles lined with desires in a shopping arcade, Tarunam catches hold of a box rumbling with assorted chocolates. Her mascara-lined eyes widen as she realises that “unconventional chocolates” full of peach and peppermint are waiting to be picked up by her. As she excitedly walks out of the showroom with the chocolates, a smile of satisfaction plays on her lips. For, the plus two student knows that her friends are going to savour her tasteful gift. .jpg)
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ARIES : Luck is with you at work, career, studies and home. You may feel oppressed by situations when people around you wield authority and power. Lucky number: 12. Lucky colour: Golden Yellow. 
LIBRA : Hectic activity at work will keep you busy. There is an aggressive tone to things that will not be easily ignored. Be careful of whom you associate with. Lucky number: 21. Lucky colour: electric blue. 
TAURUS : Things should be going extremely well for you in general. Don't miss this opportunity to pursue your dreams in every sense of the word. Lucky number: 10, Lucky colour: Citric green. 
SCORPIO : Get all necessary chores completed as soon as you can. Don't forget the other people in your life and how such actions might affect them and your relationship to them. Lucky number: 9. Lucky colour: grey. 
GEMINI : Dear Gemini, remember, in matters of heart there is one golden rule: smile & keep talking. Future is at your feet. A brief cash crisis will pass easily. Lucky number: 6. Lucky colour: Brown. 
SAGITTARIUS : Focus
for today should be on the material aspects of life such as physical
well-being, mortality, obsessions and desires. Don't be wasteful
with your words or actions. Lucky colour: red. Lucky number:
4. 
CANCER : You may need to revamp a few things in your life. Keep in mind that these issues might be connected with opportunities for adventures and travel. Lucky number: 18. Lucky colour: peacock green. 
CAPRICORN :You may want to spend time with your partner but they may be unable to get out of pervious commitments and that could lead to some tense moments. Lucky number: 12. Lucky colour: green. 
LEO : Dear Leo, a clean slate will help you start out with a fresh new vision. You will feel much better at the end of the day if you can point to something and say that you created it. Lucky number: 19. Lucky colour: Cream. 
AQUARIUS : Don't be surprised if family demands multiply. Singles could meet someone special at parties or work related events. Listen, observe and incorporate the suggestions. Lucky number: 13, Lucky colour: Red. 
VIRGO : It is a fine day to keep busy. You cannot trust everybody all the time. You have too much going on in your personal life. Don't let your own stubbornness cause problems. Lucky number: 2. Lucky colour: black. 
PISCES: Work will be smooth sailing and you will be happy with certain developments that can enhance your short term career
prospects. Focus on meditation & yoga. Lucky number: 10. Lucky Colour: Royal Blue.