Coming of the causerati
The success of several recent public campaigns has seen the emergence of the common man as crusader and the power of one
Over two decades of endless struggle, endless court cases, endless excuses and censuring of political parties. Everything seemed endless until a shoe put an end to it all in a mere fraction of a second. Now, we aren't getting into the political repercussions or morality of what Jarnail Singh did but just trying to unravel the psychology that made him do so. Though unintentionally, he did become leader for the masses and a catalyst for the society. And there are many like him, who on different issues set off the chain reaction. They channelised people's emotions by making them voicing out their concerns and brought about the much-needed change though their ways were very different. In fact, they were the change themselves. — In the name of justice: (left) Dhruv Suri; and (right) Aditya Raj Kaul

Cultural capers
Soft and subtle, that is what entertainment is all about. Many might not hold the statement true when talking about Punjabi cinema, but the words come straight from the Big Daddy of the Punjabi entertainment industry, Manmohan Singh. Manji, famous for his isuue-based cinema, is ready with another dose of full desi fun, this time with a dash of humour. And the music release of his latest, Munde UK De, was a celebration of Punjabiyat, with the brightest and most happening stars of Punjabi entertainment adding the spark.
From left to right: Ravinder Garewal, Amrinder Gill, Neeru Bajwa, Jassi, Labh Janjua and Sardool Sikandar. — Photo by Vinay Malik

Meltdown & mansions
Hollywood celebrities feel the recession heat
While the recession has left the common man across the world with a pinched pocket, Hollywood celebrities, who are known for their extravagant lifestyle, are also adopting to cost cutting measures. Celebrities like actor Nicolas Cage, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sharon Stone and many others have lost money due to the recession.
Sharon Stone, Nicolas Cage and Leonardo DiCaprio 

Lethal weapon
Mel Gibson's wife files for divorce after 28 years
The wife of actor Mel Gibson filed for a divorce after 28 years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. In divorce papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, Robyn Gibson asked for her 1980 marriage to the Lethal Weapon actor to be ended. The couple, who have seven children, asked for privacy in a joint statement. "Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so," the statement said.

Johnny the sailor man
Johnny Depp lives on yacht with family during Puerto Rico shoot
Looks like Johnny Depp is taking his role of Captain in Pirates of the Caribbean rather seriously, for the actor and his family are living on a luxury yacht while he shoots his new movie in Puerto Rico. According to Contactmusic, the star, who played the role of Captain Jack Sparrow in the trilogy, bought the classic 47 metre-long motor yacht last year. Depp named the yacht Vajoliroja, a twist on pirate ensign The Jolly Roger, using the first two letters from the names of his partner Vanessa Paradis and their kids Lily-Rose and Jack.

Knightley hates the Net
Pirates Of The Caribbean star Keira Knightly hates using Internet to blog, which has become the latest fad of Hollywood celebrities. "I hate the Internet. I find it dehumanising to constantly check emails or social sites which have become so fashionable," said Knightly. Hollywood stars like Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Britney Spears and Hugh Jackman are known for their fondness for 'twittering' and blogging, the Sun online reported. The 24-year-old actor also underplayed her star status saying, "I'm not a celebrity. I don't go home or out with friends saying I'm a celebrity and I don't ask to be treated like a queen. Mum and dad wouldn't like that." — PTI 

Talepiece
Angry old man
Hasselhoff now threatens to headbutt America's Got Talent co-judge
David Hasselhoff certainly needs to know about anger management, for once again the actor got in a fit of rage and threatened to headbutt a co-judge on a TV reality show. The 56-year-old threatened to headbutt Piers Morgan in front of a stunned live television audience on the set of America's Got Talent. A newspaper reported that the former Baywatch star began "verbally assaulting" his fellow judge following a difference in opinion on a magic act. "It all flared up over a husband-and-wife magic act. The couple had lost all their money in the recession and this was their last chance. Hasselhoff voted no and the audience went crazy booing him," an audience was quoted as saying.

Dance Express
Actor-cum-performer Sanober Kabir was in the city for a performance
n amazing combination of electrifying dance spell and sweet voice, this petite looking actor-cum-performer, is game for anything that has to with discipline, passion and dream of her life-Dance. Sanober Kabir, the sexy beauty who gyrated to the tunes of her own album, The Beri Ke Ber remix was in the city on Tuesday for a performance at Thunderzone. And despite the sweltering, pricking sun overhead, Sanober had loads of fun! "I go into a trance," she smiles. "All I know, when I dance, is that I am dancing and having a lot of fun. This is why I find live shows better. The thrill of performing on stage is any day exhilarating than working in front of the camera," she adds.

Famous five
City-based rock band, The Carrot Fish, has won the Rockathon, a national competition organised by at the Jaypee University of Information Technology, Shimla
or those who judge a rock band by its name, The Carrot Fish will be quite a shock. Sixteen bands rocked at the Rockathon, a national level competition organised by the ibibo.com at The Jaypee University of Information Technology, Shimla and The Carrot Fish emerged as the clear winner. Apart from team co-ordination, the judge- Gavin Pacheo of The Faridkot Fame was looking for originality. He found an answer in The Carrot Fish that got the crowd going with their original music.

Linen lure
As it completes 60 years, linen is feted as one of the top three fabrics best suited for Indian climate
One of the pioneers of linen in India, Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd, has paid a tribute to the country's most sought-after fashion fabric by launching a new store "Linen Club The Ramp."Linen, which came to India in 1949, courtesy one of the scions of the Birla clan G.D. Birla, completes 60 years in 2009. 

Spice up
Mane matter
Hair rinses are ideal during summer. A rinse provides a conditioning treatment to the hair; helping it to settle and giving it body and bounce. It is particularly useful during summer, as well as for oily hair, although some rinses can be used for dry hair too. Creamy hair conditioners do not suit oily hair, making it even more limp. If there is dandruff, creamy conditioners can clog the pores of the scalp and aggravate the condition. Hair rinses are better for dandruff. The hair should be washed well with water after shampoo, ending with a hair rinse. Actually, it is important to wash the hair thoroughly with water after shampoo, to get rid of all soapy residues and the last traces of grime.

United colours of crusade
City youngsters are championing various causes to revive their roots and traditions
Of course, the campus has a culture of its own! Apart from the cult characterised by geris, bunks, strikes, elections, issues, fests, fights, semesters, holidays, admissions …movements brew of the silent types. A thought, an idea, a gesture, an effort, a movement, typically in the same chronology, till it becomes a tradition, once again. Tradition, from where it all began. Some Tricity youth seem to have seized the battle head on.

Downturn detour
Recession has forced many a students to pause, reflect and reconsider their academic direction
Now that the recession tide has taken its toll, and the count keeps on rising everyday, the worst hit lot, read students just out of professional colleges, is finding ways to break-in through this rough patch. With hopes of joining the league of corporates put on hold, they are in no rush to make compromises in terms of a career. Instead, they are taking a detour from the path they chose earlier and are traveling the road lesser known and exploring some better options.

Facebook fuels failures! 
A research has confirmed what many parents and teachers already feared: social networking site Facebook is damaging students' academic performance. As per a new research into the academic impact of Facebook, users of the site are likely to perform poorly in exams. The researchers discovered that the majority of students who use Facebook every day are underachieving by as much as an entire grade compared with those who shun the site.

i tone
Mess in a mess
At it again, food, is the bone of contention among students, hostel authorities, administration. So what's the solution? Or what's the problem in the first place? Is eating-out the way out? Tricity students in hostels share…

News online
A newspaper study has revealed that teenagers think that news is a free commodity and they love aggregation sites. The findings may acts as a bad news for online newspapers as two of the big industry ideas right now are-charge for content, and put the aggregators out of business.