Chirping companions
"I know we have a pleasant day upon us when I hear Butter Scotch chirping early in the morning," says Pretty Verma, a public relation consultant from the city, who tells us about her two Australian parrots who are indispensable for her mornings and for the rest of the day. "These are my babies from Lucknow, and now they are members of our family," she caresses the two lovely cockatiels. 
Photos by Parvesh Chauhan

Tum jiyo hazaaron saal
Agile and alert.That's how Shobha (Fori) Nehru came across at her 100th birthday luncheon in the tricity
Shobha (Fori) Nehru looked vivacious, dressed in a purple sari, as she greeted guests and enquired about friends and family. Sipping a cup of kahwa, she seemed to enjoy every moment as near and dear ones gathered to celebrate her 100th birthday in the city on Tuesday afternoon.

Fori Nehru with her daughter-in-law and son in the background — Photo by Vinay Malik

Bollywood can’t forget and forgive 
The Mumbai massacre has plunged Bollywood into pause mode
There is a sense of shock, dismay and outrage among members of the film fraternity following the bloody terror strikes in Mumbai, India's entertainment and commercial capital. Though most of the stars have returned to work, they are not at ease as images of the massacre continue to haunt them.

Preity Zinta

Naseeruddin Shah

Sushmita Sen

NSG gets cheers, netas invite jeers
Karan Johar does some politician bashing on his blog
Politicians, soulless and emotionless, were addressing the country while reading off tele-prompters. Can you not feel anything? Can you say nothing to make us feel just a little more secure in your hands?
Venting his anger on some politicians for their comments over the ghastly Mumbai terror attacks, Bollywood director Karan Johar says they should be "bashed". "Politicians, soulless and emotionless, were addressing the country while reading off tele-prompters. Can you not feel anything? Can you say nothing to make us feel just a little more secure in your hands?" his blog says.

Flag flak
Actor Simi Garewal apologised for her remark about slums hoisting Pakistani flags but denounced the support terrorists get from across the border 
Bollywood's veteran actor Simi Garewal, who kicked up a storm with her comment on a TV show that slums in Mumbai can be seen sporting Pakistani flags, has apologised, saying she was wrong and stood corrected.

Simi Grewal

End of a season
The curtain came down on the 10-day International Film Festival of India-2008 on Monday
The IFFI, which kick started on December 22 with veteran film actor Rekha lighting the traditional lamp, saw one of the largest participation and also the finest movies from the country as well as abroad. The festival came to an end with the screening of Iranian film The Song of Sparrows directed by Majid Majidi. Five days into the festival, the Mumabi terror attacks had cast a shadow of gloom on the celebrations, the festival still continued with all its charm and beauty.
Veteran actor Dev Anand takes the stage during a 
felicitation function at the 39th International Film Festival-2008 in Panaji, Goa. PTI Photo

Let your lips do the talking
Plain old chapstick has come a long way. In today’s market, you name and you get it. But you need to choose with care
There must have been dozen sonnets dedicated to lip colours, and double the amount of prose to lip gloss, while their unsung and rather more functional cousin hardly ever gets written about. It’s time, lip balms, the most practical, handy and ubiquitous piece in the vanity kit received its due. We give you a comprehensive picture.

VIBGYOR: Wear the colour on your lips

NATURALLY: Lip synch nature with herbal balms

Spice up
Cold care
Shahnaz Husain
Winters, they get along a number of skin problems. Right from dry skin to chapped lips the problems are galore. But to make you look pretty and stand apart, we get for you some home remedies that can help you curb most of your beauty troubles.

Punk unctuality & Passion
German rock band? That would be easy to spot. Just look for crazy, eccentric music lovers with lots of tattoos and weird hairstyles and shrieking make-up. However, one glimpse, and the stereotypical-image lost another battle. Meet Jules, Danny, Denis and Tobi, the members of a rock band Nulltarif, currently on a tour to South Asia and performing today on Panjab University campus. They are relaxing at a city hotel till we snip our fingers, catch their attention and seek opinion on everything under the sun. — Photo Pradeep Tiwari

Prisoner of love
The 7x7 cubicles of PU hostels have a magical hold on some of the students that makes them to stay on and on
Do you still miss the good ol’ university life? Chit-chatting with friends, unending gheries and a bit of studies made these years worth remembering. Life in a 7x7 feet space can get claustrophobic. But not in a hostel! On the contrary, these small rooms become the most fascinating place for students. And, as they say, life in Panjab University is addictive and has everything to rejoice about.

 — Photo Vinay Malik

I tone
Candle comrades

Paper work No plastic smile, here. A little boy selling bags made of newspapers at Sector 26, Chandigarh, on Tuesday morning. Lifestyle photo: Vinay Malik