Fostering love
Rakshabandhan, a day of sibling revelry. But what of those children who don't have families? We check out how those in tricity orphanages celebrate the day with their 'foster' families…
When we say festival, family is synonymous with it. And when it comes to our country, there are festivities galore and occasions unlimited to share the joy and cheer of an event. But have you ever thought what celebrations would mean without a family - without that someone special to share the joy? Well, on this Rakhshabandhan, we take a look at how the children in orphanages celebrate this eternal bond of love.
Revelry at Rakhi: Children at Ashiana, Sector 16, Panchkula celebrate the bond love with specially crafted rakhis 

Rakhi remix
Well, well, that Big Brother (!) of Bandhans is here and dishing out syrupy sentimentality on Rakhi is that old guard of gaana-bajana, Vividh Bharati. And there're those new kids on the bantering (err…broadcasting) bloc, the FM frat. But hey, just think if there's a mix in the air waves, what a remix we'd have. Of airwaves as also wavelengths. Sounds from the Gramophone Gen vs podcasters' playlists. Badalte hue halaat ko dekhte hue, channels ke mix (read remix) ke liye khed hai, but stay tuned, we'll be back after the break (up)…

Lifted Aaj Kal!
The foot-tapping Auhun Auhun number from Love Aaj Kal runs into controversy 
A Bollywood chartbuster that Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone dance to was originally performed by a Pakistani singer who is at the centre of a controversy over her 'vulgar songs'. The foot-tapping Auhun Auhun in Love Aaj Kal was sung some years ago by Lahore-based Naseebo Lal as Kadi Te Has Bol Ve. Naseebo recently sought anticipatory bail after a case was registered against her for singing vulgar songs. Love Aaj Kal's music director Pritam has acknowledged that the song has been 'inspired' and has duly remixed it to suit Bollywood. The movie's music has been well received and so has Auhun Auhun.

My friend Ganesha
The elephant-headed deity is Claudia Ciesla's lucky mascot
wenty-two-year-old German actor-supermodel-singer Claudia Ciesla reportedly always carries an idol of Hindu Lord Ganesha presented by her Vedic astrologer, which she claimed brought her good luck. She is reported to have said, "I love Hinduism`s tolerance and peaceful thinking. I have visited many temples and prayed, which is helping me by way of hope and new energy." Applauding her interest in Hinduism, Indian American leader Rajan Zed has urged Ciesla to seriously further explore Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, which is rich in philosophical thought.

Not here to stay
Bollywood's original disco dancer Mithun Chakraborty thinks that the current style of bollywood dancing is too westernised and will not be here for long, as it does not have an appeal with the larger mass. "Nowadays dance in  Bollywood has become more westernised, but this trend will fade away," says Mithun, whose favourite dancer from the current crop is Hrithik Roshan.

From Riddhima to Ranbir
Riddhima wants hit movies from Ranbir as a Rakhi gift
Riddhima Kapoor wants actor brother Ranbir to deliver as many hits as he can as her Rakhi gift. Riddhima, a fashion designer, won't be able to go to Mumbai for Raksha Bandhan on Wednesday but has sent her rakhi by courier. "I would be in Delhi and won't be travelling to Mumbai due to my work commitments. But I have couriered it to him. Along with the rakhi, I have also sent my good wishes and blessings to him," Riddhima said. "All I want from him as my Rakhi gift is that he should deliver as many hit movies as he can," she added. — IANS

No Munnabhai effect
Director Vinod Pande, known for making films with sensual overtones like Sins and Red Swastik, is now trying his hand at comedy for the first time with Chaloo Movie. And he dismisses rumours that his film has been inspired by the hit Munnabhai series.

No bhai, no cry
Miss having a brother or a sister on Rakshabandhan? Some among the young brigade do not
Excerpts from a sister’s diary, “When I was a little girl, he’s the one who taught me how to have a softy without leaving any evidences of it on my dress. As I grew up, I knew exactly who to turn to for bucks for the weekend movie at the end of the month. His steely stare would drill a hole on any guy who eyed me.” Sweet, silent and strong is the bond between brothers and sisters. But what about brother and brother or sister and sister? Or ‘it’s just me’ no bro, no sis? — Gauri Mahajan with sis Gitanjali/Upasna

Leisure alley
It’s essentially GCG! No one’s familiar with Government College for Girls, Sector 11, specifications notwithstanding. Spell the short term and even trees lining the roads will play host, reflexively point in one direction. Step beyond the milestones and throw open the iron gates, there’s much to spot, more to see, much more to speak.

In between classes: Fun time for GCG-11 gals.

Saved by the bell — Photos: Vinay Malik

I tone


The recent Government College of Art and UIET incidents, apart from raising the obvious questions, point to another possibility. Can the term ragging be misused? How to define it and who’ll do that?

Bakwaas Bytes
Restless on Rakhi
Hey girlies…ok boys, you too…a big hug. And how are the butterflies doing, with all the pockets full! It’s Rakhi, right? No more taking sides, we’re just gonna set the stage, lift the curtains, count till zero for the battle of the sexes. Ever ever wondered why the attendance is low and slow across co-ed colleges on Rakhi day? With boys going underground, hiding, even hibernating! And girls? Well, wow!

Unmasked!
St John’s students are all ready to wear Viney Vadhera’s masks for their forthcoming play The Golden Lion King
You don’t have to be born a super human being, loaded with all supersonic properties to make a difference. Ordinary people in life can achieve marvels as well. Just believe in the goodness around, and believe in yourself. The Golden Lion King, a musical play to be staged by students of St. Johns School-26 to mark their Golden Anniversary validates this through Walt Disney’s adaptation The Lion King. Around 200 students (out of which one third are from the weaker section of society and part of the schools mainstream) between Classes 3-10 will get into the skin of various animal characters.

Meet the artist
Here comes a rare treat. On Wednesday renowned artist Anjolie Ela Menon will share a slice of her creative journey with art students and connoisseurs at a lecture cum slide show, being organised by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi. Menon is among India's leading contemporary artists, and has created a name for herself in the domestic as well as the international art scenario. Her works are part of prestigious museums, private and corporate collections across the globe. 

Sweet temptation
This Rakshabandhan, Britannia has launched special Rakshabandhan Shubh Kamnayein- a unique gift pack that tries to bring alive the cultural and historical significance of this festival.  Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of the sacred bond between brothers and sisters. Its unique folklore lies hidden in the pages of history and in the childhood memories of each Indian. This is why Britannia wishes to bring back the memories of childhood, when these bonds were created, to last a person’s lifetimes. Britannia’s Shubh Kaamnayein reminds of the skirmishes over delightful Bourbon, delectable Jim-Jam and the scrumptious medley of fruit flavoured cakes like ‘Berry-Cherry’ & Pineapple that made every childhood battle worth its while. —TNS