Lend me your ear...
... and they all are ready to croon. But with so many Punjabi singers coming out with their albums every day, one is really spoilt for a choice
So often we have heard, unless we don’t raise questions, we won’t get any answers. And here, we are exactly going to do that. What are the parameters that substantiate Punjabi music industry is doing well? A hit Punjabi track in almost every second Bollyood flick, ever-growing popularity of Punjabi music overseas or a turnover in tens of crores of rupees enough to prove the industry’s worth? How many Punjabi singers actually represent the Punjabi music industry?

                                                                                                Babbu Mann

Miss Pooja

Pooja phenomenon
We just couldn’t miss mentioning about the driving force of Punjabi music industry of the present time — Miss Pooja. In her two-and-a-half-years of career, the singer already has sung some 1,200 songs, which is a record in itself. “I am looking forward to make it to the Guinness Book of World Record as no singer has done it before.” And there is much more to Miss Pooja’s achievements.

In her den
Writer Noor Zaheer on her formative years, writings and future plans
She senses our discomfort at the idea of sitting on the floor instantly and hurriedly moves out on the chairs to give an interview. When one’s been a writer for 25 years, observation comes naturally. Doesn’t it? What about humility? Now, that’s not natural. Only in this case, it was. So much so, that lack of ‘homework’ elicits a smile and keen interest. Meet the author, Noor Zaheer, in the city on Sunday and hear her talk about writings — hers, others’ and everybody’s’.

Model conduct
Chefs in designer uniform! It sure was fashion show with a difference
We were confused! Thoroughly. A quick rummage for the invite reaffirms it was the opening of ‘some school of hospitality’. The venue, the time (only to be rescheduled two hours later), the event, everything in harmony. Yeah! That’s right. It was the launch of School of Hospitality and Resort Management’s India campus. Panchkula, to be precise. So, what if the well co-ordinated placards to press release to even the principal suggested a fashion extravaganza. Well, they displayed their uniform not on paper, nor on hangers but through a full-fledged fashion fiesta. Did we mention? Chefs sported a designer uniform too and the faculty was made to walk the ramp. Looks like the day’s not far, when books will be launched by leggy beauties in heels!

Preity Zinta

Heavenly offer
The average cinegoer may identify her with ‘’smart urban woman of substance’’ kind of roles that she essayed in films like Kya Kehna, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Jaaneman, Kal Ho Naa Ho and Koi Mil Gaya but perky and vivacious actor Preity Zinta says she yearns to do more roles that are earthy and have a ‘’slice of life’’ in them. Says Preity, who has, in the last year and a half, done roles having a slice of life in them, in Heroes, the The Last Lear and, now, Heaven on Earth as an actor, “I have always wanted to challenge myself and do films that are different.

Coat settlement
Lindsay Lohan has settled her legal dispute with the woman who accused the actress for stealing her mink coat. The Mean Girls star was slapped with a lawsuit by Masha Markova for allegedly taking her 8,010 pounds coat during a night out at celebrity hotspot 1OAK in January last year. Markova believed that she had lost the expensive mink — until she saw photographs of Lohan leaving the club wearing the fur.

A Fair deal
Keira Knightley desperately wants to land the lead role in the remake of My Fair Lady because she’s been preparing for the part for two years. Apparently, the stunner has been begging studio bosses to finally cast her as the leading lady.

Bollywood beckons
Kylie Minogue is just the latest in a growing number of Western stars to have been lured to Bollywood by the promise of a healthy pay cheque, exposure to a large and enthusiastic new audience and a dash of excitement from the world’s largest movie industry

Jessica Simpson

Jessica’s advice
According to Jessica Simpson, women who’re in abusive relationships should “run so far away.” While at a concert in Phoenix, the 28-year-old singer, who has admitted she was in an abusive relationship, doled out the advice before belting out the ballad, Remember That, which features the lyrics: “It doesn’t matter how he hurts you/With his hands or with his words/You don’t deserve it.” 

Real to reel
Hollywood actor Tom Hanks was so desperate to team up with his son Colin on the big screen that he actually forced his way into his son’s new movie. The Oscar winner actor revealed that he was so impressed with the script for The Great Buck Howard that he decided he wanted to play his son’s dad whether he liked it or not. 

Royal faux pas
Prince Harry, the third in line to the British crown, committed a rare style faux pas when he stepped out in public wearing bright pink nail paint. The young royal turned up at a posh nightclub in London with the nails of his left hand painted a bright pink.

S(e)ize the moment
Here is a toast to yummy mummies who got back to their original shapes soon after childbirth
We aren't claiming this one to be the most fitting example of women liberation or gender equality. But it is definitely a trend that we saw emerging in the last couple of years. An indication of improving health scenario and better awareness, women now hit the gym barely a month and a half after delivering a baby. Here, we talk to some women from the city, who defied the centuries-old norms of restricting themselves to child care and household chores only. Besides the health of the child, a priority for them was their own fitness too.

Crowning glory	Martial rule
Winner of Gladrags Mrs India Sophia Mehta (C) with 1sr runner up Shrima Rai (L) and 2nd runner up Shivalika Sharma (R) pose for photograph in Mumbai on Saturday night. PTI Photo	This ancient Gatka art is a good way to check one’ agility.  Lifestyle photo: S. Chandan

Beerable fact
While alcohol consumption has always been attributed to devastating effects on health, a new study has revealed that moderate consumption might make bones stronger in older adults. An international team of experts headed by Katherine Tucker studied a cohort of older adults in the Framingham Offspring Study to determine an association between alcohol consumption and bone mineral density.

C for comfort
Prevent gout by taking vitamin C
Men with a higher intake of vitamin C from food or supplements have a lower risk of developing gout, a form of arthritis from uric acid build-up that causes inflamed joints, said researchers.  "Vitamin C intake may provide a useful option in the prevention of gout," Dr Hyon Choi and colleagues at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver said in a paper published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

BODY wise
Your cup of tee
Golf is rapidly becoming the sport of choice for many. While some view the sport as slow-paced, golf actually requires a great deal of strength and stamina and not to mention, skill.