CHANDIGARH INDEX


A car for Christmas?
Chocolates and Barbie dolls are passé as kids today want gifts too big for their stockings, says Saurabh Malik
Santa Claus will surely face big problems this year when he comes to deliver his presents. He may have to increase the size of his bag and on account of its increased size may not be able to go through the chimney."

Art for heart’s sake
Parbina Rashid
What unites Natasha Kalra, Simran Gill and Shalini Robin is their love for art. Natasha, who comes from an artistic background, was not fortunate enough to inherit the deft fingers of her painter father, but was compensated with the ability to read art. And with this ability, she started her own art gallery in South Delhi about three years ago, which she calls The Art Treasure Gallery.

Shahrukh down to earth: Hrishitaa
Shahrukh Khan was so besotted by her beauty that he ended up signing her for his magnum opus ‘Asoka’ in which she portrayed the role of Devi, a Buddhist girl. And ever since, Hrishitaa Bhatt, has charmed the audience with her acting prowess.

Confession of an Art Lover
Kabir Singh
When I think of an art gallery the idea that flashes in my “minds eye” is a large audience or maybe a group of spectators in a room, admiring or experiencing art.

Cost of keeping MPs in style
Ravi Dhaliwal
In his famous ‘Tryst with destiny’ speech delivered on August 14-15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru had declared that the task ahead was “ending of poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality of opportunity.”

Love online
Randeep Wadehra
By the time you declare your love, “shivering and sighing” and vow that your passion is “infinite and undying” (sorry, Dorothy Parker) you find that the object of your love is winging his/her way to some exotic land for honeymoon, leaving you behind to compose heartbreaking verse. It’s not always possible for one to have a shoulder to cry one’s heart out on. You realise, albeit belatedly, that timely declaration of your feelings would’ve won you your heart-throb’s heart and hand.

Children practising abacus at a local centre.Maths at your finger tips
If you think it is only the Chinese toys that have won over the little hearts, you are wrong. Even the ancient Chinese method of calculation has become a rage among the kids here, reports Sunil Kumar
Unlike many others of her age, 7-year-old Ishmehar Mohal does not detest mathematics. Rather she enjoys doing sums and getting appreciated for being among the fastest in her class. Doing big calculations is a small thing for her. Give her a series of numbers and ask her to add or subtract these at random and by the time you stop speaking, she is ready with the answer.


MAGIC BEADS: Children practising abacus at a local centre. — Photo by Vicky Gharu

Delhi based models proudly flaunt jewellery by gemologist Asha KamalGlitter minus the Gold
Anandita Gupta
Success for some is the very beginning of complacency. For others, it paradoxically instills vulnerability, triggering off a journey of endless endeavours. Award winning Gemologist Asha Kamal Modi, thankfully, is among the latter. Tucking away awards from Gem and Jewellery Export promotion Council and FICCI ladies organisation safely under her belt, she’s hell-bent on doing more. For, every success to her is a step further towards self-actualisation. Tucking away awards from Gem and Jewellery Export promotion Council and FICCI ladies organisation safely under her belt, she’s hell-bent on doing more. For, every success to her is a step further towards self-actualisation.





RAZZLE-DAZZLE: Delhi based models flaunt jewellery by gemologist Asha Kamal Modi at Kidar’s gallery, Sector 7, Chandigarh. — Photo by Manoj Mahajan

Film & FASHION 
Shahrukh speaks up for the disabled
Film star Shahrukh Khan has come out in support of the disabled and has said that they are no different from the able-bodied and they should be treated with respect and dignity. The actor was speaking at a press conference on Saturday to announce his show “Temptation 2005” in Delhi in support of National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People’s campaign “Barrier-free India”— a nationwide campaign for India’s 70 million disabled people.


  • Freeman slams ‘black history month’

  • Zellweger denies meeting ex-hubby

  • Clint, Quentin to make documentary

  • Aniston pulls out of show

  • Scarlett bruised in love scene

Health and Fitness











 

 

A car for Christmas?

Chocolates and Barbie dolls are passé as kids today want gifts too big for their stockings, says Saurabh Malik

Santa Claus will surely face big problems this year when he comes to deliver his presents. He may have to increase the size of his bag and on account of its increased size may not be able to go through the chimney.

For little Harpreet (and many like him) want to see a limousine parked in the driveway of his Sector 35 house this Christmas.

Ever since he saw a girl of his age announcing the purchase of a “big car” by her daddy in an advertisement on television, he has been asking Santa to bring him one like that.

If Santa does accept his demand, then he can park his reindeer and come for home delivery on a car instead.

On the other hand, Harpreet’s dad Harmanjeet Singh Sarao, working on a meagre salary with a reputed finance company, has a 1999 model Maruti 800 car purchased on monthly installments spread over a period of five long years.

Expressing his helplessness, he has been telling Harpreet that a bigger car is simply out of reach even on installments. But the young innocent is in no mood to listen. Every evening he goes down on his knees before snuggling in a quilt. Folding his tender little hands, he requests Santa to bring him the car of his dreams.

The reason for his obsession is not hard to see. “Like the little model, he too want to boast in front of his pals,” says mama Harjinder Sarao, working as a teacher in a private school. “His dreams are too big for his stockings. What can we do about it?”

Passing worried fingers through her graying hair, she says, “Harpreet’s happily-married sister also believed in Santa when she was in her teens, but never demanded anything. Not even a box of chocolates”.

Well, Harjinder you can stop worrying. Harpreet is not the only one demanding gifts on the Christmas. His classmate-cum-friend Sameer Sharma wants a packet full of “bey blades”. Just like the ones cousin Raman’s uncle presented him during his visit to Chandigarh all the way from the USA.

His bank manager dad has promised him the ones available in the city stores, but he is just not satisfied.

That is the reason why he too is eagerly waiting for Santa to slide down the imaginary chimney into his life with a box of his favourite gift. He has even written a letter to Santa on a kite, so that it reaches him quickly.

Looking at them, young sociologist Zubina Sandhu says, “Both have one thing in common. An unhealthy sense of competition is the guiding force in their case. It was there earlier also. But in a milder form.”

Analysing the trend, Sandhu asserts, “In good old days of Doordarshan, even the students studying in convent schools hardly demanded anything. Christmas was popular among them, but gifts in stockings were something they never looked forward to. In any case, they were more than happy if toffees, chocolates and dolls were presented”.

Things, however, changed in the early 90s with the invasion from the skies. Cable television brought along with it “party culture” to the living rooms. Card and gift companies also stepped in to cash on the youngsters’ new found habit of celebrating an occasion called life, encouraging them to exchange gifts on Christmas and St. Valentine’s Day.

“As these channels aimed at a new generation of urban Indians living in a material whirl of malls, mobiles and multiplexes, chocolates and Barbie dolls were pushed into oblivion. The youngsters started demanding more from life,” asserts Zubina. “Simultaneously, the advent of multinational corporations and easy availability of goods on finance led to an increase in the gap between the haves and the have-nots, leading to sense of jealousy and competition even among kids”.

Phew, all this is so exhausting. Wonder, how Santa is going to deal with it.

Art for heart’s sake
Parbina Rashid

What unites Natasha Kalra, Simran Gill and Shalini Robin is their love for art. Natasha, who comes from an artistic background, was not fortunate enough to inherit the deft fingers of her painter father, but was compensated with the ability to read art. And with this ability, she started her own art gallery in South Delhi about three years ago, which she calls The Art Treasure Gallery.

Natasha has just found a partner to help her out in her chosen field – Simran Gill, another art lover from our own City Beautiful. And their union has resulted in a three-day exhibition at the Art Folio in Sector 9, showcasing about 500 paintings by different artists of different genre.

“Ours is the signature art,” says Natasha, which means she provides the theme to the artists to work on and buy their work if it measures up to the set standard. “We do the framing and polishing,” she explains.

Since Natasha believes in catering art for the masses, her commissioned artists are of the budding variety. Same is the reason why one gets to see mainly paintings that appeals to the masses – landscapes, flowers, portraits, religious figures and a few abstracts, all in bright colours.

“We sell art for layman. So try to procure works which jell well with one’s interior,” says Natasha. They come at an affordable price too. The huge paintings in wooden framing come for about Rs 18,000.

One striking variety of art the trio brings here is the Korean silk thread work on silk. Intricately done by hand, one has to be told that they are woven with threads and not painted.

Natasha, proud of her mission, says, “I have a flair for art but could not be an artist myself as I have shaky fingers. However, I would like to keep my association with art going, even at this capacity,” she says.

But is it financially rewarding? “Yes”, she says. “Our gallery is running well in Delhi, specially for our policy of catering art for common homes,” she says.

Natasha’s collection may not be profitable from the point of view of investment art, but hey, is not art all about fulfilling one’s heart and soul, rather than the purse?

The exhibition is on at Art Folio till December 22. 

Shahrukh down to earth: Hrishitaa

Hrishitaa BhattShahrukh Khan was so besotted by her beauty that he ended up signing her for his magnum opus ‘Asoka’ in which she portrayed the role of Devi, a Buddhist girl. And ever since, Hrishitaa Bhatt, has charmed the audience with her acting prowess. Her repertoire of films which included a special appearance in Subhash Ghai’s bilingual ‘Kisna’ and an item number in Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Page 3’ has made the Liril girl one of the most promising actresses of Bollywood.

An interview with the young and chirpy Hrishitaa Bhatt:

Do you remember, before you got into industry, you had said, you would not act in films whatever happens... Yes, I do remember. And I am not going to deny it. Actually, I wanted to be a pilot, but my mom was scared I would crash.

Later I dreamt of becoming an architect. I was academically more inclined. I used to be in school by 7 am for basketball, then classes from 9 am to 3 pm. After school, I would stay back for dramatics, debates and competitions.

And college …

It was fun too. There were so many kids getting into modelling, doing fun things in life. Initially, I did a couple of ramp shows for annual day celebrations. I participated in the college fest at IIT-Mood Indigo. It was at that time Imam Siddiqui, coordinator for Lintas, saw me. I got a break in modelling through him. I went on to do various ad and commercials—the most notable one being that of Liril soap.

This was followed by the music video for the Aryans ‘Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra’, which paved way for my entry into films.

What made you say yes to films?

When offers for films started pouring in so early in life I could not refuse. Imagine saying no to films like ‘Asoka’ with Shah Rukh Khan and ‘Shararat’ with Abhishek Bachchan. Despite having no filmi connections and no godfather in the industry, I consider myself lucky to have been able to sustain for so long.

It is said that Shah Rukh Khan was so smitten by your beauty that he cast you for his Asoka…

I do not know all that. But I am a firm believer in destiny. After the success of Aankhon Mein Tera, I was invited to be a guest on Sony TV’s show ‘Movers and Shakers’. It was on that show, director-cinematographer Santosh Sivan saw me. He approached me with a role in Asoka. Gurudev Bhalla’s offer for Shararat came around the same time too.

Were you intimidated working with Shah Rukh Khan?

No way. But, I was a little nervous about getting my scenes right. Working with SRK was an experience I’d never forget. The more I saw him work, the more he impressed me. He was a great co-star, so down to earth despite being so big.

Despite doing several top banner films, you have not made a mark as yet.

It is very difficult these days. You never know what will click. A good film with an excellent storyline may go wrong. There is no success formula. There are very few stories in the world to play upon. How we make each story different from the other is what filmmaking is all about. It is sad to see so much money and efforts going down the drain, when a film fails.

No wonder then you have bagged a role in Jigyaasa’.

Yeah. I am very excited about it. The film is totally woman-oriented. And guess what, there is no hero in the film. Which means the film rests totally on my shoulders. I am playing Jigyaasa. Jigyaasa also means curiosity. It is being directed by directed by Faisal Saif, an erstwhile assistant to Kamal Hasan. It deals with the story of a girl who aspires to be an actress.

But these kind of stories have been dealt before... What’s new?

This is no run of the mill story. It also tells you what happens when the girl reaches the top. I am not saying anything more at his stage. The film has just been launched. But I assure you it has a great storyline. This film will be a step forward to my career.

What is Khaffa?

The film talks about three important aspects of life — love, lust and doom. Jimmy Shergill is cast opposite me. There is also Rahul Handa and Kim Sharma. It is directed by Devang Dholakia.

You speak to a 3D animated character in Friends Forever…

The 3D animated character is called Zampano, which is only visible to me. It is a toy given to her when she was eight-year-old. It becomes her best buddy. It was a great experience working on for that film. I had to match my expression to be in tune with Zampano’s antics and that can only come from my thoughts. It uses all your skill as an actor to give a convincing performance.

You are also doing a Bhojpuri film called Babul Pyare…

Yeah. It has a very interesting story. It has Raj Babbar, Ravi Kissan, Arun Govil and Sachin. — D.P.

Confession of an Art Lover
Kabir Singh

When I think of an art gallery the idea that flashes in my “minds eye” is a large audience or maybe a group of spectators in a room, admiring or experiencing art.

But what do I notice on my innumerable visits to art galleries in Chandigarh—crushed dreams, vacant spaces, dust encrusted artwork and a disheartened artist.

Most home galleries are run by women, all well appointed and well anointed, who possible don’t know a thing about arts.

The maxim of Dali now makes sense to me “when the creation of a genius collides with the mind of a layman and produces an empty sound, there is little doubt as to which is at fault.”

Gone are the days when one would fritter away incessant hours in an art gallery, drinking endless cups of tepid coffee, discussing art with a curiosity to grasp the finer aspects of its nature. Today we have a bunch of bored housewife’s, who see art as a more fashionable investment, than diamonds. Welcome to the world of consumer culture.

Photo by the writerChandigarh is a planned and well-designed city, with none of the confusion of the haphazard cities that have become the bane of urban living. The spin off, in this well structured city, is that its denizens have lost their capacity to feel confused, or uncertain about situations. Their attitudes have become as sterile as the environment within which they live. All art is nurtured by chaos, both external and internal. Somehow the symbol of Chandigarh as a planned city has entered into the psyche of the citizen. For any art to flourish–curiosity and questioning are its natural ally. This makes art free and unfettered. Paradox and contradictions create dialectics, and that I am afraid is missing in this planned city. Should I accuse the environment, no that I think would be fairly far-fetched and stretching the point.

I shall now narrate a story; a few weeks ago I went to a gallery in sector 11 where an artist from Kolkata was exhibiting his minimalist sketches. This is an art genre, for which you require a highly imaginative and refined mind, which can transgress the lines of reality.

I reached the gallery to see the artist basking under the sun; waiting, watching, wondering

He was happy to see me visit his show, but at the same time he was afraid that I might leave without experiencing his work. His desire to survive and create, along with the fear of death, that is rejection, was something I glimpsed in his persona.

His state of being troubled me. All around me I see mass of people rushing to the Golf Club, driving wildly on the gheri route, splurging in shops, drinking at bars, dancing in the discothèques. While art galleries languish from a dearth of connoisseurs. There has to be something wrong somewhere!

One day while visiting a gallery in Sector 9, I encountered an aggressive response when I asked the gallery owner “is it always this empty”; No! She replied-knitting her brows in a defensive rejoinder.

I thought that it would be safer for me to leave before I got beaten up by one of the canvases on the wall, or by a canvas held by an aunty-ouch! I promised myself, that in future I must think before I opened my mouth.

Maybe the people of Chandigarh don’t love art. I can understand the philosophy that “A fireplace in a painting can give you no warmth”. But we must believe that to dream is also important for life.

In the end I would like to say that all of us need to cross our boundaries, transcend our limitations, enter into different worlds, and art gives us that space. To understand that there is a life beyond the clubs and consumerism and that life can be savored in paintings, in theatre, in music and in books.

Visit an art gallery my friend, and discover a wealth of knowledge. There is always the first time.

Cost of keeping MPs in style
Ravi Dhaliwal

In his famous ‘Tryst with destiny’ speech delivered on August 14-15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru had declared that the task ahead was “ending of poverty, ignorance, disease and inequality of opportunity.”

In the next two years, we, the people of India scripted the Constitution and made India a Republic.

It was the same ‘we’ that were 30 crores in 1950 and who are now 102 crores.

For governing us, ‘we’ elect our representatives and send them to Parliament.

Now it is time for us to think how much our representative costs us.

And they are elected by ‘We, the People of India’, by the largest democratic process in the world, not by forcing their way into the Parliament on their own or by any qualification.

This is how all our tax money is being swallowed. Think of the ‘great and vibrant’ democracy that we have where a handful of MPs succumb to bribe amounts as low as Rs 10,000.

Parliamentarians, at what cost?

Read on about the salaries, perks and government concessions enjoyed by our Members of Parliament:

  •  Monthly salary: Rs 12,000.
  •  Office expenditure per month: Rs 14,000
  •  Expense for Constitution per month: Rs 10,000
  •  Travelling concession (Rs 8 per km): Rs 48,000 (For a visit to Delhi and back based on average)
  •  Daily allowance during Parliament meets: Rs 500
  •  Charges for first class (A/c) in train: Free for any number of times all over India
  •  Charges for business class in flights: Free for 40 trips per year (with wife or PA)
  •  Rent for MP Hostel in New Delhi: Free
  •  Electricity cost at home : Free upto 50,000 units per year
  •  Local phone call charge: Free upto 1,70,000 calls per year
  •  Total expenses for one MP per year: Rs 32,00,000
  •  Total expenses for five years: Rs 1,60,00,00
  •  For 534 odd MPs, the expenses for 5 years: Nearly 855 crores

Love online
Randeep Wadehra

By the time you declare your love, “shivering and sighing” and vow that your passion is “infinite and undying” (sorry, Dorothy Parker) you find that the object of your love is winging his/her way to some exotic land for honeymoon, leaving you behind to compose heartbreaking verse.

It’s not always possible for one to have a shoulder to cry one’s heart out on. You realise, albeit belatedly, that timely declaration of your feelings would’ve won you your heart-throb’s heart and hand.

You’ve fallen victim to your discrete nature as you waited patiently for the opportune moment to arrive. Thomas Hardy would’ve wagged his finger and pronounced, “A lover without indiscretion is no lover at all.”

Perhaps this is why emails come in handy as do several chat forums on assorted websites. One has a sneaking feeling that it was a lovelorn soul who invented the Web.

If you’re the type who, like Zelda Fitzgerald, is convinced that you “want to love first and live incidentally” then there’s any number of opportunities for you on the Internet. For example, www.lovingyou. com claims to be the Mecca of all things romantic and promotes online relationships. Then there’s www.Love@ Lycos.com that facilitates interaction between those ardently seeking a mate.

But, if you’re the type who loves to compose epistles of passion and would like to hone your communication skills, click on www.lovepoemsandquotes.com that provide the zaniest of ideas that are positive and absolutely romantic.

If you aren’t sure whether you and your sweetheart are compatible you can always go to www.astrology.com and have a free romantic compatibility report.

Now a bit of caution, online love is fraught with unique perils. For, you do not know the person you are corresponding with. Reveal your identity only after you have made sure that the person is genuine.

Maths at your finger tips

If you think it is only the Chinese toys that have won over the little hearts, you are wrong. Even the ancient Chinese method of calculation has become a rage among the kids here, reports Sunil Kumar

Unlike many others of her age, 7-year-old Ishmehar Mohal does not detest mathematics. Rather she enjoys doing sums and getting appreciated for being among the fastest in her class. Doing big calculations is a small thing for her. Give her a series of numbers and ask her to add or subtract these at random and by the time you stop speaking, she is ready with the answer. And of course, without the aid of a calculator.

Interestingly, she is not the only one who is capable of this. There are a large number of other children who can perform similar feats with equal ease. They all are from different schools and of different age. But they have at least one thing in common — they all are undergoing training in abacus methodology of making calculations.

One has to see it to believe how quick they are at making calculations; they do these almost in no time. In fact, their expertise can give a complex to many an adult when it comes to making speedy calculations.

No, they do not possess any extraordinary powers. In fact, many of them were only average in mathematics till a couple of months ago. They, too, detested cramming tables and could not make even simple calculations unless provided with a piece of paper and a pencil. But, now they have acquired a skill that has made them rank among the best brains in their respective classes.

The abacus methodology of performing mathematical calculations is fast catching up among children these days. Abacus, a mechanical aid used for making calculations, was invented in China in 1220 AD. Till recently, this device was not much in demand in our country, but now it has started finding its way into Indian houses.

“Competition is hard these days. Everybody wants his child to be a cut above the rest, especially in mathematics as for most of the students it remains their Achilles’ heel. People do not hesitate to spend money or taking out time to achieve this end and this methodology provides them with one such means to do that,” says Shikha Sood, who runs a chain of abacus methodology teaching centres in Mohali.

Kanchana Arora brings her son, Kartik Arora, a Class I student, from her residence in Sector 21-B to Phase 7 in Mohali for training in abacus methodology every Sunday. She says, “It is a wonderful method of making calculations, much different from the methods that we learnt during our school days. I used to dread mathematics, but now I am learning it afresh along with my child. Giving revisions to him has done a lot of good to my mathematical abilities too.”

Pushpanjali Pathania, a resident of Phase 7, Mohali, says, “My son, Shivam Pathania, a Class II student, has always been very good in mathematics. We were content with his performance, but one day his teacher told us that he had the ability to evolve into a mathematical genius provided some extra effort was put into his preparations. She suggested us to make him undergo training in abacus methodology. The result is in front of our eyes. His speed and accuracy in making calculations leaves many a persons amazed.”

The methodology has an added advantage — it is interesting. Unlike school classes, children love to attend these coaching sessions. “My son, Pavit Singh, a Class I student, hates missing these sessions. On Sunday, his first priority remains to attend his coaching session. He refuses to move out even for a picnic if it meant missing abacus methodology session,” says Harjit Singh, a Phase 10 resident.

According to Sikha Sood, abacus methodology aims at training children in making calculations up to 99 using fingers initially. Then comes the use of abacus and finally, the students learn to make calculation without using any mechanical aid. If mastered properly, this simple and interesting methodology allows one to make calculations faster than a calculator and with 100 per cent accuracy, she adds.

“The concept is fast catching up in this part of the country. We launched this programme in Mohali around six months ago under the name ALOHA Mental Arithmetic. The first batch comprised only 34 students and now we have 250 students at four centres. We also have branches in 13 other cities and towns of Punjab,” she adds.

Glitter minus the Gold
Anandita Gupta

Success for some is the very beginning of complacency. For others, it paradoxically instills vulnerability, triggering off a journey of endless endeavours. Award winning Gemologist Asha Kamal Modi, thankfully, is among the latter. Tucking away awards from Gem and Jewellery Export promotion Council and FICCI ladies organisation safely under her belt, she’s hell-bent on doing more. For, every success to her is a step further towards self-actualisation.

Bearing testimony enough to her endeavor, her designer jewellery frequents the City Beautiful year after year. This winter, her exquisite collection sits unabashedly at Kidar’s Gallery. Interestingly, the collection is called ‘Fire on Ice.’ We scoop out what is so ‘hot’ and ‘cool’ about it.

Fiery hot

The collection that claims to ‘ignite fire on ice’ is not essentially the stuff that haute glittery fantasies are made of. For, it certainly lacks that larger than life, extra-luxury quotient. But starting from a pocket-friendly price of Rs 800 and going till 35000, it’s a sort of luscious loot for young women around town. The intricate blend of rubies, zircons, pearls, emeralds, corals and sapphires warms up the overall look, adding vibrance to the collection. Then, there are those glittery, multi hued earrings, rings, necklaces and bangles that exude feminine flounce and are a perfect pick for the evening parties.

Icy cool

For jewellery lovers always in a gold rush, the collection comes as an interesting change. Wonder what’s so noveau about it? It’s the glitter and glamour minus Gold. Doing away with the conventional and passé styles in Gold, this jewellery resonates with the refreshing silver and semi-precious stones. Sleek, contemporary and affordable, the collection for sure is cool.

No extravagance though, some oomph is surely there. All in all, the range isn’t really a rosy, champagne-laced extension of the designers work. However, it’s a must-watch for all those who wanna make a stunning statement without embracing chunks of yellow gold!

Film & FASHION 
Shahrukh speaks up for the disabled

Film star Shahrukh Khan has come out in support of the disabled and has said that they are no different from the able-bodied and they should be treated with respect and dignity.

The actor was speaking at a press conference on Saturday to announce his show “Temptation 2005” in Delhi in support of National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People’s campaign “Barrier-free India”— a nationwide campaign for India’s 70 million disabled people.

The show will be held on this Christmas eve at the Indira Gandhi Indoor stadium.

Calling his show a “small little benefit” for the disabled people who he said were far stronger in the mind than the abled, Khan said that it was important that more and more people understood their problems.

“Small steps like ramps and lifts are important for the disabled and corporates and others should come forward for the same,” he said. — PTI

Freeman slams ‘black history month’

Morgan FreemanOscar winning actor Morgan Freeman has slammed the decision to dedicate a month for black history.

According to contactmusic.com, he claims that ‘Black History Month’ held each year in February is a “ridiculous” concept.

He says, “You’re going to relegate my history to a month? I don’t want a black history month. Black history is American history.”

He also pointed out that there was no “White History Month” and that the only way to eliminate racism is to “stop talking about it.”

He adds, “I am going to stop calling you a white man and I’m going to ask you to stop calling me a black man.” — IANS

Zellweger denies meeting ex-hubby

Actress Rene Zellweger says she has not gone back to her ex-husband Kenny Chesney despite a magazine report that the two had met over dinner twice.

According to pagesix.com, In Touch magazine had claimed that Chesney and Zellweger enjoyed two romantic dinners at restaurants.

Zellweger’s representative says that it was not possible the two met for a meal.

She said, “She and Kenny are not getting back together and they are not dating.” — IANS

Clint EastwoodClint, Quentin to make documentary

Oscar winning director Clint Eastwood and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino have shared screen time to pay tribute to Budd Boetticher in a new documentary about the 1950s B-movie western director.

According to contactmusic.com, the two discovered a joint interest in the icon and were happy to come together for the upcoming special “Budd Boetticher: A Man Can DO That”.

But Eastwood admits that it was tough talking with Tarantino.He says, “The producers had me there to get Quentin started, and believe me, it doesn’t take much. Quentin is interesting — he has followed lots of directors he never knew.” — IANS

Aniston pulls out of show

Jennifer AnistonFormer “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston has cancelled her appearance on “The Tonight Show” after she was hit by a severe cold.

According to contactmusic.com, Aniston started losing her voice at the premiere of her new movie “Rumour has it” and had to phone in sick to the show’s host Jay Leno and cancel her appearance after losing her voice altogether.

She was replaced by “Scrubs” star Zach Braff and Leno decided not to waste the personal question he had planned for Aniston.

Asked about his romance with Vince Vaughn—Aniston’s boyfriend—Braff replied, “I’m in love. I don’t like to talk about my private life but things are going well.”

“I really prefer doing interviews as Jennifer Aniston,” Braff added.  — IANS

Scarlett bruised in love scene

Actress Scarlett Johansson says she was left battered and bruised after a love scene shot in freezing cold rainwater with co-star Jonathan Rhys-Meyers for Woody Allen’s new movie “Match Point”.

According to contactmusic.com, the pair play passionate lovers but Rhys-Meyers was forced to send Johansson flowers after the outdoor scene got a little out of hand.

She says, “I was pelted with this freezing cold rainwater and I have a slight weed allergy. So it was just miserable. I had a swollen eye for a couple of days. Jonathan bit my lip and bust it open. But he sent me flowers the next day because he felt bad. It damned hurt though, so I deserved my flowers.” — IANS

Health and Fitness

Fungus between the toes: Never soak your feet as it creates the right environment for fungal infections. Wash your feet everyday and dry them well. Dab soggy wet skin on your feet with surgical spirit particularly between the toes.

— Dr Rashmi Garg is senior consultant, Fortis, Mohali.

TAROT TALK
What the cards say today...
P. KHURRANA

ARIES: Organise your day to avoid any setbacks that might ignite temper flare-ups. Be careful while signing important contracts today. A Scorpio person comes to your help. Lucky number: 7. Lucky colour: Brick Red. LIBRA: Your card "The Moon" helps you gain balance, perspective and clarity in relationships. Meditation, physical exercise or dancing can be therapeutic. Lucky number: 16. Lucky colour: Pink.
TAURUS: You need to find someone who can help you put both feet back on the ground. You are more focussed now as you try your best to get organised. Lucky number: 5. Lucky colour: Turquoise.
SCORPIO: You may be unable to focus on things at work. While making an important decision, take the time to mull over your options. Your interest in religion could deepen. Lucky number: 14. Lucky colour: Red.
GEMINI: This is a time for you to speak out about your thoughts or concerns regarding your work or professional matters. Keep the peace and you will win respect. Lucky number: 7. Lucky colour: Purple.
SAGITTARIUS: Successful meetings with out-of-town business partners are on the cards. Feel free to change your mind. Curb your increasing tendency to argue. Lucky number: 9. Lucky colour: Golden yellow.
CANCER: How far you climb the ladder of prosperity is upto you. You may also have to re-examine some matter that you thought was already resolved. Lucky number: 18. Lucky colour: Blood red.
CAPRICORN: You are in the mood to work today and to accomplish whatever job is at hand. Talking about your career concerns with a partner will help. Lucky number: 10. Lucky colour: Silver.
LEO: Communications, interviews, and other transactions with the public are favoured. Conversations you have at this moment go smoothly, and an agreement can be reached. Lucky number: 19. Lucky Colour: White.
AQUARIUS: Do not worry if your string of successes is showing signs of ending. Things may be a bit detached or rather cool on the personal level, so be patient. Lucky number: 3. Lucky colour: Brown.
VIRGO: Family and children are independent and supportive but need appreciation and love from you. A Leo person lends energy and resources to your business venture. Lucky number: 13 Lucky colour: Royal blue.
PISCES : Honesty is an attraction, but bluntness may be a distraction. Today you may be especially sensitive to what you think people think of you. Lucky number:17. Lucky Colour: Lotus Pink.




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