Cause couture
With various fashion events this season taking up social causes, we look at what tricity designers are doing to promote causes and concerns
It isn't our mean streak but so natural for us to wonder about this-what in this world made eight Bollywood superstars come together as showstoppers for Being Human, a fashion show? A heavy cheque might be 'the human' reason for the courtesy and generosity. Or is it the 'star love' (as against the usual star wars). Or were they really charitable or caught infection from an altruistic soul? Being an optimistic media, which doesn't scare people about meteorites splitting the Earth into pieces, we believe the participants of Being Human were just being humane.
CD drive: A dress made from used CDs ?

FOR PHULKARI: Preserving phulkari through a trendier look

Grin & beer it: NIIFT students craft a chair out of recycled beer cans /Country concern: A sari in the shape of national bird, the peacock

Ill effects
Rare diseases current flavour of Bollywood 
Bollywood seems to be setting a new trend in exploring rare diseases with directors casting superstars in roles that seek to raise awareness about such lesser-known ailments. NGOs and social workers are cheering the move which, they say, would result in an increase in the awareness and sensitivity among those who were ignorant of such diseases.

Old is Gold
B-town joins hands for the cause for the elderly
In an unusual initiative to lend their hands for a social cause, Bollywood directors and actors, tried their hand at painting here on Sunday. The proceeds collected from auctioning of these paintings would be given to a non-profit organisation working for the uplift of the elderly.

Koffee break
Soha, so good
Soha Ali Khan has been experimenting with her roles and loving it. Going by her performances in Socha Na Tha and Rang De Basanti, this pretty and very friendly actor comes across as a mature lady. Riding high on the release of her much-awaited Tum Mile, directed by Jannat fame Kunal Deshmukh she talks about the movie and more. A love story based on natural disaster, Soha plays the lead role in the movie opposite Emraan Hashmi.

Weight & watch
Rajneeti's shoot plays havoc on Manoj Bajpayee's weight
Shooting for Prakash Jha's Rajneeti in Bhopal took a toll on Manoj Bajpayee's weight as he couldn't help gorging on chicken biryani and mutton dishes every other day.

Matrimony mischief
Katrina married to Indore MLA Ramesh Mendola? 
In real life her marital status may still be single, but a fake certificate prepared here suggests that Bollywood diva Katrina Kaif is the better half of local BJP MLA Ramesh Mendola.A marriage certificate approved by Indore Municipal Corporation claims that the actress married the local MLA on December 2, 2008, and got the same registered with the civic body on December 11 the same year. "The marriage certificate is totally fake and was not issued by the municipal body. It must be an act of some mischievous persons," IMC marriage registrar Dr Natwar Sarda told newsmen on Monday. "It appears that somebody first scanned the IMC marriage certificate and then with the help of some software showed the bollywood actress and MLA as husband and wife," Sarda said. The IMC has taken the issue seriously and will soon lodge a complaint with the police so that the persons who have done it can be booked for the crime. —PTI

Rhythm unlimited 
Delhi-based kathak danseuse Sangita Chatterjee will give a recital at the Pracheen Kala Kendra on Wednesday at the kendra auditorium. One of the talented exponents of the Lucknow gharana, she learnt the nuances of kathak from Guru Vaswati Mishra. Her guru imparted her enough knowledge and training to imbibe kathak, its lyrical and sensuous movements, rhythmic patterns and subtle abhinaya.

• Remembering Maulana Azad

Bride beauties
Soh-Koh Clothing Inc, a city based, multi-designer fashion house has launched the latest bridal collection of designers, Soumitra Mondal, Preeti Jhawar and Hemant-Nandita. Soumitra Mondal is known for his traditional work in the bridal wear. Much inspired by the Indian art, culture and textile his latest collection of bridal wear has fine handcraft by skilled artisans on rich traditional silk. An epitome of indo-western style, Hemant-Nandita beautifully manifest the richness and opulence of Indian tradition balanced with contemporary styles. In their latest collection available at Soh-Koh, they have worked specifically with a touch of the rich North-Indian culture. Preeti Jhawar's latest bridal collection boasts of her philosophy, which has been cultivated into an eclectic collection that imbues an individual sense of style. Her bridal collection consists of saris and lehengas, which are crafted to perfection considering personal tastes and preferences of the North Indians. — TNS

Bar bar dekho
Over the last few years, the contact lens market has witnessed a significant increase in the category of Silicone Hydrogel lenses. The revolutionary silicone hydrogel material provides up to 5 times more oxygen to the eye than traditional lenses, enabling the consumers to wear these lenses for extended hours.

Spice up
Lock kiya jaye! 
It's best to seek advice regarding the most suitable bridal hairstyle, so that you can try some of them in advance. Have your hair done at a beauty salon, because it should be secure and last through all the wedding ceremonies. Indian brides usually have their head covered. Instead of using a heavy material, get a matching odhni in a transparent material. Heavy covering for the head can ruin the hairstyle and also be very tiring. Use material like organza, tissue or chanderi, matching the embellishments on your bridal dress, be it crystal, stones, sequins or beads. It should be a crisp fabric. Avoid materials that "hang down."

The stardust syndrome
Is it necessary to rope in a star performer during those student fests? The debate continues…
Three-hour night show, three-minute fillers! Three thousand people, three hundred listeners! Give some, to gain some. It's student's festival time, the latest Punjabi crooner, who's a rage, who's a rave, is performing tonight. So whom are you calling by the way? And, what are you holding? XYZ night, ABC show, PQR evening. Star attraction is an indispensable part of the package. Good thing, bad thing or don't know? Pick up a microphone, and take your side.

Dressed to feel 
If you are a Rock fan, then flaunt it by dressing up like your favourite Rock star
You know who's turning more heads? A nice little mama's girl with baby blue sash and frills wouldn't draw a second look as a dame with pierced navel, leather gloves.
Subha Rajput ?


Abhishek Sharma (extreme right)/Fateh Singh Mann

Hey friend, you're fat!
A new UK study has found that one out of every five girls thinks her best pal is fat but would never reveal it to her. A survey of 3,000 women revealed that every female has at least two friends they think are overweight but would always make them believe that they look great in every attire.

I tone
Getting fest-idious
What fest are you talking about? The one that just concluded, the two already on or the upcoming dozen! In the past few weeks, the tricity campuses have witnessed more student festivals than number of subjects.

BakwaasBytes
Season in the sun
Oh my my! Has somebody been noticing the change in the campus mornings, classroom weather and canteen environment? Of course, we know the winter is coming, you silly boys. Think more, beyond. What not do we have to do for you. Literally put words in the mouth, spark in the imagination…listen to this. 'Oh c'mon the difference is so obvious and apparent, during the winter girls are fully clad. We get to see a lot of straps and capris and well a lot many other things, when the sun's full on," chuckles a crack head.