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 Tuck away your
woolliesThis is that time of the year when grandmom’s expertise comes to your rescue. Gayatri Rajwade on how to store your wollen garments This droll task is not to be scoffed at! Our mothers and grandmothers and before them their grandmothers all did it with the precision required to understand why guava jelly is not the same thing as guava jam! Packing away woollens to make way for the crisp cottons for summer is a task that requires ‘expertise’, ‘technical know-how’ and much debate if the sweaters and shawls are to last through the unbearable summer, moths’ et al! Domestic conferences are held as generations come together, putting their minds and energies into the task. So what are the best and most innovative methods to washing, packing and preserving woollens? Repotting for the spring season There’s something about Mika FILM & FASHION Eva Longoria Cyber Holi A taste of Holi Sprit
of Aaghaz COOL STUFF
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Tuck away your woollies
This is that time of the year when grandmom’s expertise comes to your rescue.
Gayatri Rajwade on how to store your wollen garments This droll task is not to be scoffed at! Our mothers and grandmothers and before them their grandmothers all did it with the precision required to understand why guava jelly is not the same thing as guava jam! Packing away woollens to make way for the crisp cottons for summer is a task that requires ‘expertise’, ‘technical know-how’ and much debate if the sweaters and shawls are to last through the unbearable summer, moths’ et al! Domestic conferences are held as generations come together, putting their minds and energies into the task. So what are the best and most innovative methods to washing, packing and preserving woollens? Here is a low down on some home remedies devised by the best and brightest in the business, the ubiquitous Indian housewife. The washing The best homely method is to soak a handful of ritha in a quarter bucket of water overnight. Mash the ritha the next morning, strain the water to remove the pulp and soak your winter clothes gently scrubbing the dirt and grime away and dunking the soapy sudsy sweaters in clean water thereafter. Dry on a flat surface keeping the shape of the sweater intact. A trouble-free wash method is to use any gentle soap in the market like ‘Genteel’ that is tough on dirt and easy on your precious warm clothes. Or, if the hassle-free mode is for you, send your warm clothes to the dry-cleaner for a professional spruce up. If you sweaters or shawls or jackets or coats do not require a wash, simply hang them out in the sun for a few hours before packing them in. There is no freshener in the world that does half the job that sunshine does! Pack them right The universal Neem leaves with its multifarious uses are the best woollies preservative of all time! Pick a big bunch of these bitters, dry them in the sun to remove any little insects that may have clung along, liberally layer them through your warm clothes, sprinkling them freely even in the suitcases and cupboards, where you intend to park your woollens for the summer and rest easy. Neither a silverfish nor a moth family, including any multi-legged creature will dare tread into the ‘Neem Zone.’ Some earthy Indian spices are also efficacious repellents/deterrents. Peppercorns and Kalonji are said to be effective tools to help the woollies weather the sleepy summers. Throw a fistful of either into the clothes being packed and your clothes are safe for the next six months! Another remedy tried in Europe for white woollens and blankets is dipping them in a solution of alum and water after they have been washed. Of course, using mothballs wrapped in pieces of cloth or muslin or Odonil bars lining the cupboards and suitcases is the ever-popular method, though they leave a strong smell and the clothes have to be aired in the sun before they can be worn. Remember, our furry and fleet footed insect residents do not like strong odours and that is the best defence against the attack of the wilful ‘bug’.
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Repotting for the spring season Spring, for most of the sub-continent, is a short period of perfect weather and growing conditions. In Chandigarh it lasts from mid February to mid April, or if the weather gods are kind, a couple of weeks more. It is time to prepare your plants to face the blistering heat of summer. New, robust plants can be added now. Old faithfuls require repotting and feeding to refresh their systems. Growth rates vary from plant to plant. Repotting is indicated when any of the following occur: Roots have appeared on the soil surface. Roots have escaped from drainage holes. The clay pot cracks due to root pressure. While digging and airing plants you discover that roots are spiraling and winding around the inside walls of the pot. The new pot should not be more than two inches wider in diameter than the previous one. You tend to over water a larger pot and root rot sets in. Loosen the soil by knocking the pot. Gently remove a plant from moistened soil by holding it from the stem and pulling. Shake the mud off onto a newspaper. If roots are clinging to the sides and the plant does not pull free, do not use force but break the pot instead. If there are extra roots, cut them with a sterilized, sharp pruning knife or scissors. Do not break or tear them away. It is a good idea to place these chopped off roots at the bottom of your pot with bits of terracotta for drainage. The repotting mixture should have equal quantums of sand, clay or loam and powdered manure. Add some neem khali against insects and grubs. Moisten this soil before putting in the plant and then gently tamp it down. It should not be packed tight. There should be at least an inch of head room in the pot to allow sufficient water to seep in. Soak the soil and spray the leaves. All this should be done in the evening to allow the plant a night’s settling in period. The plant should remain in complete shade for a week before being exposed to sunlight. You may want to use the old pots for smaller plants. Sometimes the walls have an accumulation of salts which appear as white sediment. Scrub this away with a wire brush. It is essential to leach out salts from the pot every six months. Let water flow through the soil slowly and continuously for a couple of minutes. Do not put a container underneath as the salts will accumulate and be drawn into the pot again. Leaching ought to be done before fertilizing a plant. |
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There’s something about Mika The Prince of Bhangra and Indipop, with four mega hits under his belt, meet Daler Mehndi’s brother Mika Singh- singer, composer, impromptu performer, arranger and writer, who is ready with his forthcoming album, ‘Something Something’. His self-composed tunes and songs, fused with western classical and rock, have made him the hot favourite among the music lovers. His debut hit music album Sawan Mein Lag Gayee Aag was released when he was just 24years of age, followed by his second hit album Ishq Brandi and the biggest hit of recent times Gabru, not to forget his most recent claim to fame Dunnali. Mika has travelled and performed all over the world even before the release of his debut album and has picked up a huge fan following worldwide. His stage act is a pleasure to watch as besides singing, he plays the guitar and dances magnificently; in his uninhibited and unique style. Mika has now returned more matured and highly pepped up with his new album Something Something. The album is dynamite pack containing nine highly charged dance tracks full of zest and vigour, setting ones mood to hit the party circuit and rock with the mesmerizing earthy rich voice of Mika whose unique and original nasal twang make you yearn for more. Three bonus tracks, including the unplugged version of Something Something and the Club mix by DJ Sheizwood, plus the Dholak Down Mix of Marge Sohyniye are the added attractions. The album has collaboration with global artistes like Bella the rap singer who features in the title track. The album has songs in Hindi and Punjabi. Sunidhi Chauhan for the first time features with Mika for the track Mere Dil Mein Tu Hai a Sufiyaana Kalaam that is laced with Arabian ambience and mystic ness. The album with two music video Marge Sohniye a Bhangra hip-hop track multidimensional in sound and visual. A high-end video with thrilling special effects and animation is the crux of the music video and the concept and the sound both compliment each other, conceptualised and directed by ace Whiz kid Kookie V. Gulati and Tata Elxsi renders the animation services. —D.P. |
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FILM & FASHION Sexy actress Eva Longoria has begged the creator of Desperate Housewives to clean up his act and reduce her number of naked bath scenes. “I had to talk to creator Marc Cherry and go: ‘Can you please stop putting me in the bath tub?’” she was quoted by The Sun, as saying. Eva who hired a fitness trainer to keep her in shape as she shows off so much flesh in the show also asked for a cut in her underwear scenes. “I didn’t realise how much lingerie I’d be in and how much I’d be in the bathtub. Filming is nerve-wracking, I’m constantly worrying about how I’m being filmed,” she added.
—ANI Sheridan set for tying the knot Desperate Housewives star Nicollette Sheridan has recently purchased a $ 14,000 wedding gown, which has gossips buzzing that she is planning to exchange vows with singer Michael Bolton during spring this year. The 42-year-old actress has been dating the crooner since last Christmas, but they once dated a decade ago. Sources claim, that Sheridan asked her Desperate Housewives co- star, Teri Hatcher, to help her pick out a bridal gown and the pair set off on a top secret hunt through Beverly Hills’ bridal boutiques.—ANI Blinge exasperates organisers She may be a multiple Grammy award-inning singer, but hip-hop diva Mary J. Blige recently left organisers exasperated when she demanded that they install a new toilet top at all the venues before her 35 Breakthrough concerts. According to a source, though organisers thought that Blinge was taking her hygiene a bit too far, they were highly amused with her toilet demands. “Mary’s demands gave even J.Lo a run for her money. She wanted a new toilet seat installed backstage at all 35 venues she played at through the tour. It’s good to be hygienic, but these demands had everyone giggling,” the Mirror quoted the source, as saying. And apart from the toilet seats, the singer not only wanted 10 bottles of water which ‘absolutely, positively must be Fiji’, but also two humidifiers, a love seat made from fine fabric (no leather), lilies and Aveda candles, along with a strict ‘no pork’ policy during her tour.
— ANI Reese delivers pizzas Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon is getting ready for her new role - as a pizza delivery driver, and is reportedly so desperate to make it convincing she decided to do the job in real life. The beautiful actress, who scooped the Best Actress award at the 78th Academy Awards held on 05 March this year, will soon fly to London to start preparations for her new role in ‘Penelope’, in which she co-stars with Christina Ricci. Reese is also said to be signing up for a driving course first, because she is worried about being on a bike in the city. “She’s going from the most glamorous event in the world to one of the most mundane jobs,” Fox News quoted a source, as telling The Sun. “Before filming begins Reese is going to take lessons. Then she will spend time with a real delivery boy learning all about riding round London with pizzas in the back,” the source added. — ANI Nudity scene shocked Sharon Stone Hollywood superstar Sharon Stone has revealed that she was so shocked when she first saw her leg crossing scene in ‘Basic Instinct’, that she slapped director Paul Verhoeven in a room full of strangers. Stone said though she had been aware that the scene would require her to look as if she was nude, she had never expected it to expose her genitals so thoroughly. “I knew that we were going to do this leg crossing thing and I knew that we were going to allude to the concept that I was nude, but I did not think that you would see my vagina in the scene,” Femalefirst quoted her, as saying.
—ANI
Craig not fond of James Bond Daniel Craig revealed that he never wanted to be James Bond, while responding to hate mails from hardcore fans of the spy franchise. The actor also disclosed his fears of being blamed if ‘Casino Royale’ flops. “I never really wanted to do James Bond. Don’t get me wrong, I want to make big movies and I want to make as much money as I possibly can, but there’s not a tremendous emotional challenge,” FemaleFirst quoted him as saying.
— ANI |
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Cyber Holi She spreads the colours of happiness across the globe without leaving the comfort of her room. Logging on to a network of excitement, plus one student Parneet Sandhu orders “Holi fun hamper” for her friends in Delhi, Chennai and even California without wasting precious time. Like her, you too can travel through aisles lined with desires and Holi gift stuff in the cyber mart by just clicking the Internet explorer. “It will save you the trouble of going to the courier office after picking up the stuff,” asserts Sandhu. Flashing a broad smile, the Sector 19 resident says: “You may find it incredible, but you actually end up paying more or less the same amount for the impressive stuff picked up from the net. The only thing is that you have to place your order well in advance for delivering the hamper well in time”. Until a few years ago, Sandhu was only sending colourful wishes through the e-cards. Of course, it was convenient and less expensive. But as far as ordering stuff was concerned, it was one big problem for the young student. For, the payment was to be made through the credit card. But with Rediff and other organisations accepting money though cheque and demand drafts, even that difficulty has been solved, largely. So what are you waiting for! Just place yourself in front of the computer and ask for “Happy surprise Holi gift” costing just Rs 85. You can also make your friends’ life colourful by pick up balloons, hues, water toys and even pistols by paying just Rs 129. For “Rang rangeela Holi sipper”, you will have to pull out something like Rs 229 from your bank account, while “Satrangi Holi hamper” can be had for Rs 295. This is not all! Add colour to the festival by ordering scrumptious sweets, nice tidy apparel and even fine jewellery for all your chums so far, yet so near. Just in case you are a bit apprehensive about the whole procedure, just open Google and key in the words “Holi gifts”. Within seconds, you will have the list of sites offering Holi stuff right in front of your eyes. Remember to place the order by Sunday evening so that the colourful gift basket can be handed over to your pals on or before the big day. |
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A taste of Holi You have picked up the hues of joy and affection for making Holi all the more colourful. Now add flavour of excitement to the colours of Holi by taking home special dishes dazzling on the glass shelves. Just drive down the road meandering its way to the market and you will find sweet shops preparing gujias and other hot Holi items. The whiff is unmistakable. As you cross the joints, the aroma of khoya frying in deep pans lures you indoors. It mingles with a hint of almonds and raisins to give you the real taste of a colourful Holi. So forget all about counting those loathsome calories and fear of gaining weight by savouring all those dishes. Just place your order, now. After all, the dishes are not available throughout the year. They are prepared just for the occasion and disappear from the shelves soon after. Go in for gujias or kanji ke vade. They are the ones prepared by soaking “urad dal” overnight before frying its paste in deep pans. You can also buy stuffed tomatoes. The stuff is prepared by stuffing minced chicken in tomatoes before being sautéd for good five minutes. Puran poli is another good option. Yellow dal is mixed with jaggery or molasses before the dough is shallow fried on the griddle like a paratha. The process consumes a lot of ghee and as such is rich in calories, but is worth tasting. At Gopal Sweets in Sector 9, sweet preparations are on for Holi. Push aside the impressive glass panels and you will find a colourful variety of Holi special sweets on the shelves. In fact, you will find not just gujias, but also chanderkala, long latta and even gujia samosas. “The preparations are costing between Rs 130 and Rs 140 a kg,” says Managing Director S.S. Charanjit. “Though the festival is next week, people are already picking up loads of boxes for self consumption, also for gifting”. Just in case you too wish to offer a taste of Holi to your friends, try Holi special gift packs by Verka. Costing about Rs 100, you can present 800 gm of scrumptious gujias, prepared from desi ghee, to your chums in alluring packs. Though Aroma in Sector 22 is not offering regular stuff like gujias on Holi, the sweet shop staff says its special Kalakand is just fit to pamper the tender taste buds on the colourful occasion. At Sindhi Sweet shop, you can pick up gujias stuffed nicely and properly with almonds, raisins and other dry fruits. You can also go in for Sindhi special samosas prepared just for the occasion. Well, you will have to pull out something like Rs 130 from your wallet for taking home a pack, but it’s worth the price. Go ahead; try the stuff, lest you have to wait for another year. |
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Sprit of Aaghaz Aaghaz, DAV College’s dramatics club, which bid goodbye to another year of amazing achievements, is full of beans, finds out Chitleen K. Sethi When dreams took wings from nestled talent and sparked them with electrifying energy .…it gave birth to Aaghaz. A lively group of DAV College students who put together nationally acclaimed street plays and stage dramas almost out of sheer nothing. “No scripts, no directors. Its only raw energy, lots of talent, a sense of humour, keen sensibilities and unbelievable team work that goes into making these plays,” explains Ravinder Chaudhry, the college in-charge of the group. True enough. Anyone who saw the present group of Vikas, Sameer, Charan Ankit, Shivank, Saurabh, Sanjay, Gayatri, Vaishali, Rubina, Simmi, Nitika Avneet and Aarti led by Hardeep perform the street play chal chood na yaar –eggjactly at PEC Fest, knows what Ravinder is talking about. The team’s coordination is almost perfect, their chemistry amazing and most importantly their plays make a lot of sense. “The themes we choose are topical and picked up from current issues. Once the theme is decided, montages are created by dividing the team into two smaller groups and finally these are weaved into one singe montage,” says Rochak, the pioneer of the group who has since passed out of the college but remains Aghaz’s uncrowned king. Since for most plays, there is no script to fall back upon, the group writes the dialogues, composes the music and the songs and many sleepless nights and countless rehearsals later, the heady mixture is ready and the group is itching to perform. “Ek Aaghaz won the first prize in the all India competition at IIT Mumbai where Eggjactly won the II prize in the street play category. This is the third time in four years that Aaghaz has come tops. The judges actually told the other teams that they should hang their boots and learn from us,” says Gautam the new president of the group. Riding high on having beaten the lions in their own den, the group members individually are also going places. Ayushman Khurana was one the finalists in Channel V Popstars and also voted for MTV’s Roadies. Vikas Sharma acted in Punjabi film des hoya pardes and is now a part of an Italian film - lezzinoni di vozo. Puneet Khanna is assisting the director for film Don. Gurpreet Saini could be seen in Lassi with Bhatti on Aaj Tak. “Whatever we might achieve as individuals, we identify ourselves as Aaghaz members. The end product of Aaghaz course is not just the plays. It has lent us confidence, team spirit, leadership and a bonding with friends that lasts for life,” well said Charan and Sameer. For the maddeningly alive group, the sky is the limit and well Aaghaz is just the beginning. |
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COOL STUFF If you thought snacks were meant just for eating… think again. General Mills India has announced its foray into the Indian snack market with the launch of DIP TRIX – a yummy snack that kids can play with! For years mothers have told their children – “Don’t play with your food”, however Dip Trix recognizes the fact that kids will be kids, and love to play with anything – especially food! Dip Trix has fun shaped cookies with delicious cream – which kids can dip, dunk, lick, sandwich and play with however they want! Available in 3 fun flavors – Chocolate, Strawberry & Orange – packed in an international on-the-go tray pack - and priced at Rs 5 for a 19 gm pack – this is a great product that is meant just for kids. The Trix brand is an iconic US brand – launched in 1959 – as a pioneer in creating food products that were “Just for Kids”. With Dip Trix in India – General Mills hopes to recreate the magic of the Trix brand and its iconic mascot the “Trix rabbit”. The rabbit is a “passionate pursuer” desperately trying to get his hands on delicious Dip
Trix, only to be foiled by kids “passionate protectors”, who remind him that “Silly Rabbit, Dip Trix are for kids”! This is bought alive in an engaging TV Commercial that sets the stage for the ‘Dip Trix Challenge” – where you see young Rohan and the Trix rabbit – in a 3 round contest to win Dip
Trix! Who will win the Dip Trix challenge? Well, you will have to see the ad to figure that one.
Designer
luggage Samsonite would soon be launching “Samsonite Black Label” brand. It’s a premium deluxe brand and would be priced upwards of Rs. 20000.This brand boasts of designer luggage, built from premium quality nylon. The PRO DLX Luggage collection has two fully features uprights, a garment bag and a garment hanger. Their laptop collection offers Laptop Briefcases, Laptop backpack, Laptop Messenger’s bag, laptop saddle bag and mobile office.
Get back colours on your cheeks after Holi While Holi’s colourful, what it leaves behind is dry, dull skin. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution: The Kaya Holi Package. With cleansers, toners, moisturisers and the Kaya Glow to moisturise and refresh your skin, it’s sure to bring the colour back. Kaya skin clinic has introduced special packages for the Holi, valid from 5th to 20th of March. These are as under— 1) Special Holi Package of Rs.2500/ 400ml packs - This package will include Kaya Skin Health Routine (Cleanser+ Toner + Sunscreen) + Kaya Glow Actual Price: 1900+1500 = Rs.3400 Special Price: Rs.2500 2) Special Holi Package of Rs.2000/ 200ml packs Kaya Skin Health Routine ( Cleanser + Toner + Sunscreen) + Kaya Glow for Rs. 2000/ Actual Price: 1350+1500 = Rs.2850 Special Price:
Rs.2000 Kaya Skin Clinic will also offer organic colours to clients on 13th and 14th March. This is in sync with kaya’s continuous commitment towards skincare. So, enjoy the festival of Holi but don’t forget to give your skin extra attention!!!
Cool summer
offer Glucon-D, India’s largest selling glucose based drink, has launched its
Cool-Hee-Cool offer for consumers. Consumers purchasing the product can win exciting prizes, including Air Conditioners, Refrigerators etc. The consumers have to see the lucky coupon attacked with the pack of
Glucon-D.
Fevicryl No Stitch Fabric Glue No Stitch Fabric Glue replaces stitching in many areas. It helps in sticking beads, sequins, lace, ribbon, appliqué, foil, mirror work, glitter dust, cords and seams to fabric with little effort, especially as its now packaged in an easy handle and control, easy flow dispensing cone pack. Its available in a 10 ml pack for Rs
7.
Pidilite Launches Dr. Fixit Shoppe For the first time, people of Chandigarh will enjoy the easy availability and understanding of complete waterproofing solutions under the brand name Dr. Fixit the construction chemical division of Pidilite Industries Ltd, manufacturers of the premium Dr. Fixit range of complete water proofing solutions and Roff range of tiling solutions. Dr. Fixit shoppe is an innovative concept from Pidilite Industries Ltd and part of its initiative to reach and educate more and more householders on protecting their homes. Dr. Fixit Shoppe aim at reaching out to customers in a timely manner, with water proofing and repair products and service that will help solve maintenance problems like rising damp, leakages, seepages, cracking / breaking of tiles, cracks etc, increasing the life of buildings and structures.
Tiger Balm Red in India India’s leading Parma Company, Elder Pharmaceuticals Ltd, has launched ‘Tiger Balm Red’ the internationally renowned pain reliever. Specialist for all kinds of aches and pains Tiger Balm Red has been formulated from a unique blend of nature active ingredients, which is most effective for joint pains, muscle pains, sprains, backaches and arthritis. It has been formulated from natural ingredients derived from natural herbal sources that work effectively without any harmful side effects. When applied it gives a distinctive characteristic sensation of warmth followed by refreshing coolness, which soothes pains. Priced at Rs. 33 for 18 gm and Rs. 18 for 8 gm Tiger balm red is available in two packs and is sold in all chemists outlets and general stores. |
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