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Save the big cat
So when Shreyas Nanware, a member of Facebook community, 'Only 1,411 left, save them' posts, "Our national animal is fighting for its life. From around 40,000 at the turn of the last century, there are just 1,411 tigers left in India. If we don't act now, we could lose this part of our heritage forever. Speak up, blog, share the concern, stay informed...every little bit helps...join hands...save our tigers," he gets over 700 responses! Another such post by Samruddhi Shrirame on the community, 'Save Tigers, Save Our Heritage' is, "How would you like to see India without its national animal…think about it…they are really precious," received over 400 responses. A chain reaction set off only after the exact number of tigers (1,411) left in India was announced. Hamina Kang, a wildlife activist from the city, couldn't agree less, "It has set up a forum, made people debate on how rest of the tigers can be saved and how we can preserve our heritage." Albeit she isn't part of these online activities, she is doing far more substantial work. From the past many years, Hamina has been inviting artists, who paint wildlife, from Ranthambore to Chandigarh. "It served a dual purpose; first of providing livelihood to these financially weak artists, and second to educate people about wildlife art." Ninety per cent of the selling price of the painting goes back to the artist and 10 per cent is contributed for conservation of tigers at Ranthambore. Hamina is also a member of the Mogiya Reform Project, "Mogiya is a tribe of poachers around Ranthambore. The project involves educating their children and how they can earn a living without poaching tigers." After all these years, she now feels what people are doing for wildlife will be noticed. "Everyone's taking a note of the declining number of tigers. People want to chip in, contribute to save out national animal." Contribution from the city has also come in the form of wildlife photographs from Upjeet Singh Brar, a businessman by profession. "It's been over nine years that I have been regularly visiting the Jim Corbett National Park." The photographs clicked by him during these trips are posted on indianaturewatch.net. "The hits on my photographs have considerably increased after the advertisement was telecast on TV," he says. All Hamina wishes now are some concrete steps by the government. "It's appalling how the population of tigers has decreased in the past decade without the government taking note of it. I hope the figure goad them to action." And it's not just poaching that is responsible for the decreasing number of tigers. Says Upjeet, "Tiger habitat has reduced considerably in the past few years. Farmers purposely poison their livestock and leave them in the forest, to be hunted by tigers. It saves the rest of their livestock. And then there are the man-tiger conflicts." Meanwhile, the tiger initiative has given hope to those working for conservation of other species as well. Raja Unnithan is directing a movie, Hello Zindagi, on an endangered specie of turtles. "The tiger initiative has made people realise what is going wrong in the ecosystem. People are also eager to contribute in some form or the other." Hello Zindagi is the story of a girl who works with an NGO to save turtles. And is it no longer 1,411? A post by Ganesh Mundhe claims: "Just 1,409 left…two more down at Kaziranga...wonder if even 1,409 are left…the forest department has been known to exaggerate figures." There's still a lot to do.
ashima@tribunemail.com |
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Stuff dreams are made of
Strugglers (so called, because now the term used is aspiring and passionate lot), attend 150 auditions in a day, out of which 70-80 are shortlisted for the second audition. Only 20 manage to make it to the final auditions and 10 are allowed entry into the hall of fame. Didn't we say, sometimes figures account for the struggle, challenges one undertakes, and sometimes also sums up a journey! Who would relate to this better than the guy who has lived the 'numerical life' for a while till the numbers gave him a thumbs up, a 100% score. Ashu Sharma, a city-based guy, made it through the auditions of Teen Patti and got a chance to share 'some' space with the Big B, Amitabh Bachchan. And what's more he had appreciable number of dialogues as well (only a struggler can explain how important it is to have dialogues in a film!!). Over to Ashu for this lifetime experience? "I had just finished my masters in dramatics from Panjab University and heard about the auditions for Teen Patti in Delhi. I got through. Later, I was told I had scenes with Amitabh Bachchan. What, what, I didn't hear it properly I thought," says Ashu in an animated tone. "The day came. 'The' actor was on the set on the scheduled time. He was like a lion walking in, modestly oblivious of his stature. I went ahead and introduced myself. Hi sir, I am Rami (the name of my character was Raminder Singh). He replied courteously. For god sake he is a megastar, and so humble I wondered," Ashu can't help raving. Ashu plays a studious student of BIT and Mr Bachchan a professor of mathematics. More on Big B? "Very punctual and sincere. Whether you are a nobody or somebody, he will keep everyone on the sets at ease. He gives valuable inputs. At the same time, he gives equal amount of space. He jokes around to make things light. He is 'the' star," puts in Ashu, who made his debut with Anurag Kashyap's Dev D. While he talks about his dream come true, one word makes a repeated mention - cast director. "New-age directors and making films with people from the crowd," shares Ashu. "The chocolate boy image is passé. This is where people like us come in. Cast directors these days know what they want, immaterial of how a person looks. Abhimanyu Ray, casting director of Teen Patti, and the director Leena Yadav knew what they wanted. And, they got it," he says. A good time for the industry indeed and for people like us. You never know tomorrow one of us makes it to a film opposite Shahrukh Khan or Aamir Khan! jasmine@tribunemail.com |
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Don't worry be happy…but is it really that easy? If happiness is eluding you, psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky of the University of California has come to the rescue with her study. "Despite the finding that happiness is partially genetically determined, and despite the finding that life situations have a smaller influence on our happiness than we think they do, we argue that still a large portion of happiness is in our power to change," says Lyubomirsky. According to Lyubomirsky, the top five things that can make you happy are - being grateful, optimistic, counting your blessings, using your strengths and committing acts of kindness. A quick interaction with city folks shows that these five things list on their ways to be happy as well! "It's my positive approach towards life that keeps me happy," says Sharda Kathpalia, a housewife from Sector 8, Panchkula. "I don't' take criticism to heart and meditation helps me keep the clutter away," she says. For others it can be rhythm that brings joy. "It's dance, that defines happiness for me," says Nisha Thakur who teaches kathak to youngsters. "Howsoever depressed I am, dance has the power to lift away all the gloom. While teaching I feel like I am giving a reason to be happy to others as well," adds Nisha who has been into kathak for the last 18 years. Some attribute it to the almighty. "Happiness is infectious. Seeing others happy gives me an instant high," says Alka Kashyap, assitant librarian from the city. "God's been kind and when I see him showering his blessings on all things around us, it gives me incomparable joy," she adds. For SK Setia, additional chief electoral officer, Haryana, achieving his aims is happiness. "Rather than cribbing about what's wrong I believe in taking steps to set the system right," he adds. "Helping people or doing any act that makes a difference to the society or the country makes me truly happy," he adds. Rana Sidhu, proprietor, goadventuresports.com, finds joy in counting the blessings of nature, "I am into adventure sports and mountaineering. In nature is my true calling. Being grateful as well kind to nature is what makes me stay
happy." mona@tribunemail.com |
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Bond Wagon
Relationship: Mother and son. Yet different: Most of the time we find each other in opposition. Now that she has won the battle of persuading me to get married here comes the next bomb from her. She should be homemaker. But I need a working professional. Alright Cease-Fire!! till lunch. I am good with maintaining a dirty bachelors car but she prefers seeing me keeping it neat and tidy. She is tired by my protein eating habits sans fat and carbs. How can someone just eat boiled egg whites and throw the most important yellow part? It's not that I haven't updated her with the answer, but then she tends to forget frequently just because I pay for a full egg and throw away half. Unforgettable moments: The time I first came to Chandigarh for him. The way we together set up our home especially the kitchen. A little later he threw a surprise party at my birthday wherein he called his friends and colleagues from Infosys. It was such a pleasant surprise. Each and every friend of his' got a gift for me. That was the first time I ever cut a cake in a formal birthday party meant for me. — Ved Prakash Kaur. I can never forget how a few months back she cared day and night for me while I was bed ridden because of the severe chicken pox. Those two weeks were the toughest in the recent past. Every half an hour she would wake up to help me in my miserable situation. I am glad she was near me then. No one else could have taken that needy space — Ravinder Funny takes: The way things work for us is: Mom takes care of things at home and I take care of things meant for chores outside home. So I spend an hour of my Sundays being in the weekend sabji-mandi. In one hand I hold the vegetable bag and in other my mobile. She would call in the mid and I roam almost lost identifying those raw vegetables in the densely populated manddi amid all the aunties amused looking at me. I almost break the tail of every lady-finger to convince her that they actually are raw. Even in weekdays amid my official meetings arrives an SMS from her 'Adrak, neembu te hari mirch lenda aavin. You forgot them yesterday.' — Ravinder And he would reply with a smiley and no words at all. — Ved Prakash Kaur Special something: So that I don't feel lonely at home he makes it a point to come home and have lunch with me. He says he comes home because he loves the food I cook. But I know he does so because otherwise it gets difficult for me being lonely at home and doing nothing. —Ved Prakash Kaur Though my mom rarely wishes go out, I try my best to make her do so for a change. This Valentine's Day was a Sunday and I took her out to watch MNIK. Amid the couples occupying the majority of the movie hall, we comfortably chose our seats and had a good time together. — Ravinder Wishful thinking: I wish her health improves. She is asthmatic. Being here in Chandigarh has helped her condition and I hope she gets in her pink soon. — Ravinder I wish he finds a nice girl who can take care of him. — Ved Prakash Kaur (Ravinder is an author and Project Lead with Infosys, Ved Prakash Kaur is a homemaker) If you want to feature here, please email at lifestyletribune@gmail.com or mail at Bond Wagon, Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh, along with a photograph and contact number.
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Can't hold back your anger in front of your partner? Well, a part of your brain might be of some help to control those much-regretted emotional storms. A new study has suggested that the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) is a region of the brain that may help people control their emotional reactions to negative facial expressions from their partners! For the study, Christine Hooker and her colleagues recruited healthy, adult participants in committed relationships. The research subjects viewed positive, negative and neutral facial expressions of their partners during a brain scan. In an online daily diary, participants reported conflict occurrence, level of negative mood, rumination and substance use. It was found that LPFC activity in response to the laboratory-based affective challenge predicted self-regulation after an interpersonal conflict in daily life. When there was no interpersonal conflict, LPFC activity was not related to mood or behaviour the next day. However, when an interpersonal conflict did occur, LPFC activity predicted mood and behaviour the next day, such that lower activity was related to higher levels of negative mood, rumination, and substance use. The study findings suggest that low LPFC function may be a risk factor for mood and behavioural problems after a stressful interpersonal event. The constructive management of negative emotional states that emerge inevitably within romantic relationships can be a critical facet of coping with the world. The relationships frequently serve as emotional havens from the stresses of the working world. Yet these relationships may also augment rather than reduce life stress. When that happens, problematic behaviours such as over-eating and substance abuse may increase. "When activated in the context of intense emotion, it appears that the LPFC helps us manage the intensity of negative emotions that emerge in social relationships. When this brain region does not efficiently activate or when the intensity of the conflict is very high, people need to learn behavioral strategies to cope with the emotional response. For some people this strategy can be as simple as counting to 10 before doing something that they might regret later," said Dr John Krystal, editor of Biological Psychiatry. Dr Hooker explained that their findings "suggest that imaging can provide potentially useful information about who may be vulnerable to mood and behavioral problems after a stressful event. We hope that future research will build on this idea and explore ways that imaging can be used to inform people about their emotional vulnerabilities." The new study has been published in Biological Psychiatry. — ANI
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Renee Writes
Tackle the green-eyed monster I am a 19-year-old girl teaching in a primary school. I enjoy my work and look forward to going to school every day. I dress very well and my level of confidence is rather good. But then I have noticed the attitude of the other staff members who work with me. They seem to be very hassled by my whole demeanor. They try to put me down in some way or the other. Initially it did not bother me. But now I hate this critical approach and it affects my state of mind. Please help. Tanvi Vadhera
Chandigarh Human nature is the same all over the world. Pepple of a lesser type and a shallow character are ridden with the feeling of jealously. I can relate to what you say because if I look back into life, I can see myself in various similar situations. But you must see the brighter side of it. These are the kind of situations that bring out the best in you. The fact that you are understanding negative emotion at your tender age is an encouraging factor. You have a long way to go as you are just at the beginning of your career graph and getting to taste a sample of the big bad world outside. You just ignore it. Pretend you haven't noticed and if someone is nasty show complete indifference. They are looking for a reaction. Do not give them the pleasure. After a while they will tire themselves out. One more chance
I am 36, unmarried and working for an American firm. For the past two years I have been in a relationship with a girl who comes from a different community than mine in Mumbai. I met her when I was in the office there and we clicked instantly. We have been together ever since and even though I am in Punjab for my company we catch up very often. Recently I have been considering tying the knot with her and we both decided to give up our respective jobs and start our own business together. But I chanced upon some information about her professional past, which she has been concealing from me. I knew she had been married earlier and she is divorced but that does not bother me. But now that I have found out that she has been lying to me about a lot many other things, I am now not sure if I should risk my job and life with her. Please advise. Sunil Pasricha,
Jalandhar I understand your predicament and I am glad you are being honest with yourself before plunging into a decision, which is going to change your life completely. Before you make any major decision in life, you should be completely sure of it. You are plagued by imaginary visions of her past and weaving your own negative fantasy around her, now that you have discovered that she has been lying to you. Being apprehensive is only understandable, but do not unduly psyche yourself. Agreed she has been lying to you about her professional past. But then give her the benefit of the doubt. I feel she hid her professional past from you to avoid your judgemental overview. Bring the matter out into the open and allow her to explain. As far as your career, let it be your own personal decision. Mind over fear
Whenever I am about to undertake a journey, whether it is by car, by train or by plane, I get very sweaty and shaky. I suffer from palpitations and feel fear. I just don't want to go, I keep hoping something happens to cancel the plans and many times I do cancel the plans and then live to regret. Whenever I realise that I have pushed myself against these dreadful feelings and allowed myself to go, I feel happy that I did it. How can I learn to calm my nerves and train my mind otherwise. Dimpy Singh,
Chandigarh. These are anxiety-related symptoms. Some of us since childhood have lived under tremendous emotional stress without really realising it. It always surfaces only when situations like this arise. Maybe at a sub-concious level you are attached to your home and your family and feel rooted only when you are with them. We all develop these comfort zones and to moving out of them is extremely difficult. But you must realise this is just a temporary fear. You have to train your mind to rid yourself of the negative attitudes. The more you will learn to get in touch with yourself the move confidence you will feel so the next time you are about to travel just don't panic, say to yourself, 'I am going to enjoy this and you really will'. |
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Home FRONT
A framed Chamba rumaal adorns the area partitioning the fountain from the Krishna corner. "I am a huge devotee of Lord Krishna, so you will see his idols in every corner," says Pooja. Everything is traditional in this part - the furniture, a big ornate jhula, the flooring done in yellow, white, black cement tiles, which heightens the 3D haveli effect. The dining room is partitioned by Japanese style patterned glass. "I love the amaltas trees here, so I got the yellow flowers on it," shares Pooja. Like everything else, the kitchen is huge. "It got to be for we love to party," says Pooja. The backyard has a huge mural done in mosaic tiles across the wall. The semi-basement is a big, open area. The family uses it for satsang and parties, but they have plans of having a gymnasium and a home theatre here. The first floor of the house has a guest bedroom along with two bedrooms for children - Mohit's room is in wine colour and Namrata's is in blue. The guest bedroom is in black, white and red, and has the clock with all three colours in it! "I have done up all the bathrooms in matching colours too" shares Pooja. And they have state- of-the-art jacuzzis, saunas with music and the like. mona@tribunemail.com |
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FEMme fatale
After three rounds, an independent panel of judges shortlisted three promising faces from Chandigarh to represent the city in the Grand Finale to be held in Chandigarh on March 6 this year. This completes the list of 15 mega finalists from 5 different cities from Punjab, who will compete for the coveted crown in the Grand Finale. Prior to this, city finals were held in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala. In the previous city finale held at Patiala, Navneet Kaur, Divya Sharma and Nazma were selected to represent the city in the grand finale. Amritsar will be represented by Sabeena Bumra, Naseema Dar and Deepika Sharma, while Ludhiana will be represented by Navjyot Kaur, Rubeena Pannu and Jugneet Kaur. Romila Sarangal, Kanika Sharma and Damanpreet were selected from Jalandhar earlier to participate in the grand finale. The winner of the contest will be crowned Fem De Sohne Sohne Mukhde of Punjab and will get a chance to appear in mainstream television. The Chandigarh city finale was organised at Lions Club Auditorium, Chandigarh. Over 100 contestants went through various intense rounds of auditions - introduction round, the ramp walk round and a question-answer session with the judges. The finalists from each city will undergo a two-day rigorous grooming session with beauty experts before they compete for the coveted title of Fem de Sohney Sohney Mukhde of Punjab. "This is an innovative and one of its kind consumer initiatives in the world of beauty contests. Through this initiative, we intend to find the face that embodies the true values of Fem - fair and flawless skin. As a pioneer in the bleach category, we are now taking our association with beauty a step further with this beauty pageant in Punjab. Also we are now planning to extend this initiative to Maharashtra soon," said Ms. Medha Mohan, Brand Head-Fem. |
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With an aim to promote cultural exchange between people of South-Asian nations and celebrate the spirit of women, Leela, the first South-Asian women theatre festival, begins on March 8. An endeavour of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, National School of Drama and Jamia Milia University, the festival will have 14 theatre groups from nine countries - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Afghanistan. The festival focuses exclusively on issues faced by women and the objective is to forge a partnership among them. It accepts that the issues pertaining to women, which are common to all communities, religious beliefs and ethnic groups, can be addressed more effectively through collaboration at every level, including national, cross-national and regional. It recognises the key role of women as agents of change, central to the process of bringing education, development, peace and prosperity within and across the nations of South-Asia. Simultaneously, within families and communities in South-Asia, women continue to be the anchor for preserving traditions and best practices in the arts and literature, in crafts and textiles, and in matters concerning health and environment. The festival will witness eminent theatre personalities from these nations perform at Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata and Mumbai. — TNS
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Shers of Punjab
The two Punjabi rockstars from both the sides of the border, Mika and Bohemia have united for music and have brought out a first of its kind album — Sher-e-Punjab. The latest video of Mika's hit song Sher-e-Punjab, which is on air on major television channels, features Mika and Bohemia in an exciting new look. In addition to this, the other tracks on this album include an all-star assemblage of brand new Bhangra tunes that is sure to rock Bhangra fans across the globe. 'Gidde Wich' is a rocking dance number sung by the Lehmber Hussainpuri who rules the charts both in crossover UK Bhangra as well as traditional Punjabi songs. The album also includes Panjabi MC's brand new Shades On mix of the biggest dance hit of 2009 Panjaban featuring the recent collaboration with US Rapper Avion. Kaka Bhaniawala 's legendary number Dharu Peeke has been included in this album as homage to the true spirit of the charismatic Punjabi singer. Other star tracks include those sung by Malkit Singh, Juggy D, Shamur , and many more featuring in one mega album. Speaking about his collaoration with Bohemia, Mika said, "Me and Bohemia have always shared a great rapport together. He is like family and great fun to have him around, whenever he is in India. In fact, we make sure that we catch up and make some cool music together." "Finally, our collaborative effort has come out with Sher-e-Punjab after jamming together for some time now with some great musical ideas. However I'm happy that this single has released, as this is the first time ever and I hope our fans like this one!" he adds. — TNS
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"Abhishek shoots Bingo in the holy city of Amritsar and his sister Shweta joins him to pay homage and prayer at the Harmandir Saheb. I wish I could do the same, but am unable to. Soon however I shall find the time. Or as they say in such situations, when the time comes He will call you...," Amitabh posted on his blog www.bigb.bigadda.com. The actor, whose mother, late Teji Bachchan, belonged to a Sikh family, says the Sikh bloods in him "beckons". "The Sikh blood in me beckons and I must honour it. It is rather strange, but in the last few months, my attraction and interest towards my Sikh links attain some prominence and I feel drawn towards it," he said. Amitabh says he wears two lockets of Guru Nanak all the time and even has a photograph of all the Gurus, presented by director Raj Kanwar, that finds space at his place of worship. "I seek blessings from them each morning - 'Sat Naam Wahe Guru' , I recite, as I touch their images and a strange sense of fulfillment and strength consumes me," he added. — PTI
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'Real'ly Ajay
"I was a little apprehensive after reading the script. But when I saw the reaction of people to it, I was convinced. Everyone had experienced such a situation in their lives and had some story to tell. That got me hooked," said Devgn. The actor, who has laugh riots like Ishq and Golmaal to his credit, admits that it took some time to adjust to the script. "The film is different from other comedies, it is situational and not slapstick. Ashwni wrote the script differently, so it took us some time to adjust to it," Devgn, who was in the city to promote the movie, said. The 40-year-old actor plays a middle class man in a nuclear family who is peeved by an unwanted guest who overstays his visit. "The film is about how problematic it becomes for a working couple in a nuclear family to handle a guest who just refuses to take the hint and leave," Devgn said. The film, produced by Wide Frame films and Warner Bros. Pictures, is releasing on March 5. It has been written and directed by Ashwni Dhir and also stars Konkona Sen Sharma and Paresh Rawal. "The characters in the film are very real and the humour has been created between them. It has its own flavour," said Devgn. — PTI
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Shahid Kapoor starrer 'Paathshaala', a film portraying the effect of the education system on children, will hit theatres on April 16. The film, directed by Milind Ukey and produced by Bollywood choreographer Ahmed Khan and his wife Shaira, also stars actress Ayesha Takia and Nana Patekar. Shahid, who was last seen in 'Chance Pe Dance', will play the character of an English and music teacher in the movie. Ahmed insists that the topical plot of the film is going to attract huge attention. "Once the promos are out, the film will be all over the place in the next 15 days. The film will release on April 16," said Ahmed. "Since the subject matter is how the education system exercises pressure on children, my film is getting a lot of attention and I have been approached by many people who want to tie up with me," he added. The choreographer, who has films like 'Kaminey' and 'Ghajini' to his credit, was in the capital recently to audition kids for a new reality show 'Chak Dhoom Dhoom' on Colors. Ironically, 'Paathshaala' also shows how a kids reality show exerts pressure on children. "The film shows Patekar's character calling people from a reality show and asking them to audition students from his school so that they get publicity," said Ahmed. — PTI
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The film, which follows the romance of two NRIs who despite being madly in love refuse to elope, opened to full houses and rave reviews all over the world way back in 1995 when it was released. It is the longest running movie in the Indian cinema and continues to pull audiences at the central Maratha Mandir theatre here. The film was the directorial debut of Aditya Chopra and starred the Bollywood's golden pair, Shahrukh Khan and Kajol in the lead. One of the biggest blockbusters of all times, DDLJ is presently running in its 15th year. The film is memorable not only for its plot but also for being a launchpad for Shahrukh as the king of romance in the Indian film industry. DDLJ, which is still remembered for its dialogues and soulful music, also gave one of the most evergreen onscreen couple — Shah Rukh and Kajol, who later delivered many hits, the recent being My Name Is Khan. — PTI
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"Brooke wants out. She's said it before and she's saying it again right now," News.com.au quoted a source close to the situation as saying. "She's worried though, because Charlie has a lot of dirt on her. Using drugs while raising children is obviously a horrible situation. "The marriage is a nightmare. But each one is worried about ways the other one can hurt them. "For Charlie, he's terrified Brooke can help Colorado prosecutors send him to jail. For Brooke, she knows Charlie knows all the dirt about her drug and alcohol use," the source said. That mutual fear has kept them together so far, but Mueller has decided enough is enough, revealed the source. "She can't take it anymore," the source said. "Remember, the Christmas day incident that ended with Charlie's arrest started when she told him she wanted a divorce. "Things didn't get magically better after that," the source added. — ANI
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Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has dismissed rumours about his sexuality, and declared: "I'm not gay." The actor, 20, who appeared nude in the West End stage play Equus, has been at the centre of gay rumors for some time now, reports The Sun. But, while in an interview with music channel MTV in the US, he has put an end to the speculation, by saying: "If people want to say that, they can. I'm not. I'm straight." — ANI
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It's loud and clear, still resonating in everybody's ears. The much-awaited alarm bell has been rung. Not by the umpteen documentaries, journals or campaigns, but by a 45-second advertisement, by a magical number of 1,411 tigers left in India; over 100 communities on various social networking sites, lakhs of members of these communities and people who are making individual efforts…the difference has finally been made.
Sometimes figures account for a journey. Sounds heavy? Well, then reel through this — 10,000 auditions take place daily at various venues in Mumbai for movies, television serials and advertisements!
Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
A right mix of contemporary and the ethnic is how the beautiful abode of OP and Pooja Sood comes across. The facade of the house is in yellow firebricks and a sprightly fountain greets you at the entrance of the door, which is guarded by a massive wooden door.
The formal living room has vast space separated by glass partitions. The first portion is contemporary, done up with cushions of various colours. A vibrant painting by Parbhinder Lal adorns the wall. A clear glass separation gives you the view of a very ethnic double height lobby that bears the mark of Pooja's Rajasthani heritage. The walls of the lobby are decorated with inlay work, jali and a jharokah, brought specially from Jodhpur. "The handmade jharokha was brought in 20 pieces and artisans specially came to fix it here," shares OP Sood.
Spread in a two kanal plot, each room of the house affords a beautiful view of the garden. The ground floor has two bedrooms - master bedroom in beige and the guestroom in yellow. What's interesting is that each room has a matching clock to go with the colour theme. "We have collected them over the years from our travels to various places," shares the couple. 
Over 100 beautiful faces from the city of Chandigarh came together for the city finale of Fem De Sohney Sohney Mukhde Of Punjab beauty pageant, a unique consumer & beauty initiative from Fem Care a fairness and bleach brand. This also marked the last semi-final audition of this mega state-wide beauty contest.
Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan, whose mother was a Sikh, says he feels drawn towards the religion and wants to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar with his children Abhishek and Shweta but can't because of time constraints.
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, who is all set to make people laugh in yet another comedy Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? says he was apprehensive about taking up the project initially.
The evergreen love story of Raj and Simran, Dilwale Dulhahiya Le Jaenge has set yet another record by completing 750 weeks in theatre.
Actor Charlie Sheen's wife Brooke Mueller is said to want a divorce from him once his court case for domestic violence is over. According to Radar Online, even though both the couple's reps have publicly said they want to work things out, sources who know both of them say it's actually the exact opposite — both are miserable.