We are the world,we are the women
We couldn't have asked for a better gift this International Women's Day—the long-pending Women's Reservation Bill is finally being tabled in Rajya Sabha. Political empowerment, social uplift, decision-making power or just a gimmick …we ask a few women what does it actually mean to them
It is like waiting at the 'all women's' station for a long long time, and finally getting to hear that the train is scheduled to arrive. An analogy that comes to the mind the minute we hear about the Women's Reservation Bill slated to come up for consideration in Rajya Sabha on Monday. Finally, it's our chance to be part in the policy making. You never know, the 181 seats out of 543 Lok Sabha seats (if the Bill is passed) might just change things for us. Would it or wouldn't it? We ask women across the cross section of the society to voice their opinion.

Your honour!
On International Women's Day, Team Lifestyle honours a few city-based women who have made a difference
The business of being a woman…while the International Women's Day still continues to be a socialist political event, here's taking a leaf from the character of the day and continuing with the tradition of highlighting the struggles of women around for some trickle-down inspiration.Here's awarding some personas from the city for silently making a mark in the cacophonic world. And the award goes to… Aradhana

Sense and sensuality
Models flirt on ramp for Manish Malhotra’s LFW show
It was a breather from the usually poker faced models seen on the ramp as designer Manish Malhotra managed to bring out the lighter side of their lives by making them flirt with each other on the Lakme Fashion Week runway.

Swirl spectacle

A model displays collection of designer Vijay Balhara on the third day of Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai on Sunday. PTI photo: Shashank Parade

Bahu no. 1
Kajol is favourite Bollywood dil, says poll
Acclaimed Bollywood actor Kajol who is married to actor Ajay Devgn for 11 years now, was voted the favourite ‘bahu’ (daughter-in law) in a poll conducted by matrimonial site shaadi.com. As part of the upcoming International Women’s Day celebrations on Monday, shaadi.com conducted a poll in which 250,000 women participated.

Second innings
She is best remembered as the ‘mast mast’ girl for her sensual moves, but Raveena Tandon, now a mother of two, says she has left her ‘jhatka-matkas’ behind and has signed two ‘tough and challenging’ films. “I really don’t think I will do the dancing type of movies with ‘jhatka-matkas’ any more.

Face it!
When social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have become an essential part of everyday life of many, can the Bollywood industry be far behind in using them to reach out to people? The social networks are the most happening places these days and the stars in the Hindi film industry have started using them as a promotional tool too for their films. So we have Aamir Khan chatting live on Facebook with his fans about his film 3 Idiots and Amitabh Bachchan playing card games to promote his film Teen Patti. “Promoting films via these sites are an attempt to attract the entertainment consuming audience between the age of 15 and 30. 

Ten ways to her heart
The million-dollar question that has always been intriguing men is how to keep a woman happy. On International Women’s Day, we figure out ten ‘simple’ solutions to win your woman’s heart. See which one suits her better. More the merrier, of course.

Unchained melody
For Ustand Vilayat Khan, music is a liberating experience
Music is a rare commodity, its consumption even rarer. No need to double check, we are not talking about the music that sells, it’s the music that excels in its own being. Sufi, Raagi, Kirtan, connecting to the soul, transformed into another world, it’s not just listening but living it. Music is, to each his own. Try confine it to words of expression, call it meditation or a profession, the definition still remains incomplete. “Eh tan yaari hai, nothing beyond that stands.” 

For a noble cause
Bibi Gurdev Kaur releases her devotional album
Punjab Art Council in collaboration with Sikh Nari Manch, organised an award ceremony on Saturday in which special attraction regarding role of Chandigarh’s empowered women and contribution of Indian women in foreign activities was highlighted. The DVD Cassette So kao manda akhia by Bibi Gurdev Kaur, OBE UK, was released and she was honoured for being historian and social activist. In addition, a telefilm on women empowerment named Sangharsh by Creative Vision Films was screened. Poster by upcoming writer Sumit Mayar was also released.

Spice up
Heralding spring
During the winter skin suffers due to harsh weather and lack of humidity in the air. Due to this, it becomes essential to first give the skin some care. The way a painting looks best on a clear and clean canvas, make-up is better on a clear and smooth skin.

Starting young
Increasing stress and work pressure are leading to strokes early in life. The good news is you can avoid these
What we see might not be the actual picture always. In spite of the fact people are increasingly becoming fitness conscious, they work out, eat healthy, resort to yoga and meditation for better stress management, a recently conducted study by researchers of the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute suggests otherwise. The study has concluded, "The number of youngsters suffering from strokes have gone up as compared to the older people. Also there is an increase of 7.3 per cent in 2005 from 4.5 in mid nineties in stroke patients."

In the Big league
Punjabis rank first in the overweight list
Size matters but 'big' is certainly not cool. Particularly so when it comes to the physique. Bulkiness, obesity and fatness mars personality besides being a cause of many ailments. Be it a man or a woman, big (read obese) is looked down upon in this era where lean is in and size zero is in vogue.While morbid obesity (extreme obesity), where individuals weigh over 140 kgs, was earlier a trait with burger, pizza and beer guzzling Americans, many Indians too are now falling prey to it. And Punjabis, incidentally, happen to be on the top of the chart of obese Indians.

BODY wise
When food poisons
You just wanted to lose a little weight, so you started dieting. Then dieting became an obsession. And, now all you think about is food, either you don't eat or eat too much or you eat and then throw up your food. Food has become the sole controlling factor in your life.