|
|
|
|
|
|
NRI funda for homeland Basking in glory, non-resident Indians want to return wee bit of sunshine to their native land not just by opening offices, but by changing the work-attitude of so many resident professionals, in the 60th year of Independence, says Saurabh Malik
Attached to the roots, young non-resident Indian (NRI) Ramanjit Singh Multani eagerly wants to return a wee bit of greenery, he found in the pastures abroad, to the parched land at home. For, Chandigarh-bred Multani believes that something more than just “long speeches”, “big-talk” and “politics of promise” is required to put the country on the fast track of development in the 60th year of Independence. And Multani — the vice-president of US-based information technology (IT) giant Outline Systems Inc. — is not the only one. So many NRIs belonging to this part of the region are willing to provide that “something extra” to the country they grew up in from across the seas. Not just in terms of technical know-how by opening offices and branching out, but also professionalism! Right, by altering the work-attitude of the resident proficient! In fact, they are convinced that the country has just not progressed the way it should have due to the attitude of the people. Besides undisciplined, so many resident Indians in general simply ignore work! To make the matters worse, they make commitments without realizing the enormity of the task. Needless to say, they fail to deliver on time. Lackluster at home
Sitting behind an impressive desk in the company’s Chandigarh office inaugurated recently in Punjab Engineering College to “bring up pros”, 32-year-old Multani says: “The problem with a substantial number of professionals here is that they lack confidence and discipline. Rather, so many times you find two persons doing the job just one professional is required to handle. No wonder, it results in wastage of precious time and resources, including manpower”. Quoting an example of indiscipline, Multani says: “After drinking water, they always leave the glass on the table, waiting for the servant, or the peon, to pick it up. And this attitude is reflected in everything they undertake. Instead of completing the task, they wait for someone else to do it. In the end, no one does it”. In the USA since 1997, Multani says: For so many of them, the woods are lovely, dark and deep. And someone else has the promise to keep of going miles and miles before he sleeps. Not surprising, they seldom finish the work on committed time.” Another IT professional settled in the USA for over 17 years now, Satvinder Singh says the same professionals outshine others under more disciplined environments abroad. Talking over the phone from New Jersey, he asserts: “Indians, especially youngsters from this part of the region, are professionally more aggressive, outgoing and sharp, compared to IT professionals from the rest of the world. Some of them are actually heading IT operations in organizations overseas after proving their mettle over others.” Just 27, Executive Chef with a five star hotel in Canada, Piyush Girdhar, “works real hard”. But metaphorically speaking he has the satisfaction of minting money from the sweat of his brow, literally. “There you get the returns,” he asserts. He strongly feels that India has the capacity of offering equally good options for jobseekers and investors. “All that is required is a little more will on the part of the individuals and the administration, and a little less interference on the part of the politicians to make India a superpower,” he says. Pushing the telephone handset closer to his mouth, he bursts: “Just give me the right kind of environment and I will come back to my family and friends in Muktsar. Really, to fly kites and play cricket with pals I have left behind somewhere down the line”. Home away from home
Investor-cum-land developer Parminder Jit Singh Randhawa was a Sales Supervisor with Punjab Government in the 70’s. He would still have been slogging without much in return had he not left for Canada ’s Calgary city. Associated with the Punjabi Cultural Association and Canada ’s Sikh Society, Randhawa today is a “happy man”. Besides comfort, he has the satisfaction of organising plays and concerts in Canada. He says that the government there too recognizes the contribution made by the Indians, apparent from the fact that they celebrate Divali and even Baisakhi by organising akhand path in the Parliament of Canada. Interestingly, they even have Patiala Street and Chandigarh Avenue in Canada to make young Hargobind Khuranas, searching for their due, feel at home. |
|
|
|
Doctor with a difference
Sachin Tendulkar’s doctor was here. No ordinary doctor this, as you can well imagine. He has, after all, riding on him (albeit vicariously!) the hopes and dreams of an entire nation pondering deeply on the Master Blaster’s tenuous ‘State of Health’! But Dr Anant Joshi, Orthopaedic Surgeon with a specialisation in Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine and Fitness Management, comes across as breezily sporty (a badminton player at the university level, he swims, cycles and scuba-dives) as the sportspeople (think P. T. Usha, Dhanraj Pillai et al) he treats. For one, he is walking around Fortis, Mohali (where he is comes in as a consultant every few months) in a summery pair of shorts. However, clothes do not ‘maketh’ a man and Dr Joshi’s reputation precedes him. Busy bee
Not only is he a consultant to the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), he has a thriving private practice in Mumbai and travels across a dozen cities of India consulting, treating and operating. So what does he do? Arthroscopy is keyhole surgery for diagnosing and treating a large variety of joint problems explains Dr Joshi. “Clinical judgement earlier was based on guesswork for X-rays only showed the problems in the bones and not the soft tissue. Most cases were labelled as arthritis but a joint is a complex interplay between different structures and the wrong treatment can aggravate the problem considerably.” The irony is that while Arthroscopy came up way back in 1918 it is only in the last five years that it has come into notice in India.
Solving problems Let your body lead you According to Dr Joshi, postural ailments rank number one along with young girls who “instead of burning calories on the treadmill burn their knees.” Listen to your body, not your trainer. Be aware of your own body while exercising. Niggling pain or minor discomfort during exercise is okay but persistent pain during and after your workout needs attention. Finally there is no short-cut to biological healing just like there is no way you can have a baby in three months! In fact when Dr Joshi began his practice way back in 1986, he was one of the early ones to come back to India with a Masters in Sports Sciences from the United States Sports Academy in Alabama because “I was not good at passing exams and there were many to go through in the USA in order to start practice there,” he laughs. On a more serious note though, it was a growing optimism about India. “I felt this country had a bright future. But I was wrong. Even 20 years later sports medicine is nowhere,” he ruminates. The problems are within the system he believes for when he began the laws for importation of medical equipment were prohibitively expensive. “I remember having to travel to Germany to get things repaired,” he says. “Today when import duties are down, the big teaching institutes in the country have no training in Arthroscopy because the government does not believe in super-specialised practice.” This is one of the reasons why, when Sachin Tendulkar had his foot problem a few years ago, he had to be taken to Sachin saga
Sachin’s problem in the ball of his foot was the kind that ballet dancers sometimes have and we have not seen that here.” However, today, the complications arising out of surgery have become negligible because this treatment is patient friendly. On his recent visit to Fortis last week, he treated a 44-year-old housewife who could not straighten her knee. An Arthroscopic procedure later, she walked home! But if you wish to show your beleaguered, aching joint, a word of friendly advice—switch off your mobile phones for any interruption courtesy your cutesy ring will cost you double for this doctor means serious business when you go to him!
|
|
Mover 'n' shaker It’s August and still sweltering. As sunbeams bounce off the skies and begin frolicking on the city environs, every building seems to light up. Standing tall among this cluster is a 2040 square feet laboratory-cum-institute. Perched on the 2nd floor of Swastic Vihar, Mansa Devi Complex, this Wi-Fi lab’s brimming with 20 enthusiasts. Amidst the crackling bustle of this classroom sits Kunal Dixit—a young teacher. Totally disconnected from the hushed hubbub of his students, even disconnected from his own self. For, all he’s connected with is his work—Bio informatics. Conducting clinical trials with monkish meditativeness, this Biotech Engineer seems totally at peace with himself. For he’s already turned his dream of opening his own Biotech company into a beautiful reality. “I wanted to be an entrepreneur since infancy,” he smiles, adding, “I started my first business at the age of 12 by selling sandwiches and cold drinks to those who played Badminton in front of our flat in sector 43. I made good profits and spent that money on video games and re invested some in opening up a small library of comic books.” But wasn’t starting a Biotech Company very different from selling sandwiches or opening a comic library? “Oh yes, for a biotech company to work, I needed some excellent set of ideas, huge finances and the support of the best minds in the industry. So, I started attending various conferences and seminars on biotechnology. I even sold of my motorcycle to develop a website for my company. It’s only once my perspective clients started contacting me for business that I could arrange funds for the company and the company started its operations in September 2005. However, the biggest problem that the industry is facing is the lack of trained manpower. “ India needs to train Clinicians in Good Clinical Practices (GCP) guidelines. Therefore, as a part of our long-term strategy we would be Training Clinicians in Clinical Trials. We are going to start off with a Five months long “Advanced Diploma In Clinical Research” on 26’th August 2006.” Elaborating on the programme, Kunal goes on , “This would be a weekend program ie the classes would be on Saturdays and Sundays and we would be taking 20 students. The students would be placed in the leading Contract Research Organizations (CRO’s) of the country. Students from MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, M.Sc, etc can attend the Program,” informs the man behind IBI, the second organization in North India which has dedicated itself to training students in Clinical Trials. And if you’re wondering if there’s benevolence at 21, meet Kunal and you’ll be convinced about it. For, all he dreams about is adding value to his country and people. “I want to generate income for many households and make India the proud leader in the Biotech Arena,” he declares. And what else do you do to bid goodbye to this spunky twenty-something, but articulate |
|
Midnight
lollies Thronging the City Beautiful’s pavements is a happy crowd—university students with windblown hair, couples walking hand in hand, families chatting endlessly. And what lies as an inspiration of this post-dinner stroll is a scoop of their perennial favourite— Icecream. Not at Aroma or Taj, but the good old city lanes. Dappling the ice-rink smooth roads of the City Beautiful at night are some rehris, selling icecream bricks, bars and cups. Kwality, Mother Dairy, Cream Bell, Amul, Vadilal, Verka—the options are almost baffling. And so are the flavours available. From the tangy orange bar to creamy choc bar, from the vibrant rainbow bar to the crunchy Cornetto, they are all there. As we take a late-night stroll, we come across the humble icecream wallahs, waiting for their regular clients. “We stay here till 4 in the morning and our ice creams are a great hit with hostlers and youngsters. Most of them go for the rich Cornetto, while the other preferences are Chocolate and butterscotch,” say ice cream sellers Baliram and Rakesh. Then there’s Krishan Chand who smiles, “When people come to us, they don’t care about the brand. All they want is the flavour they love, with whichever vendor it is available. But Karan Das, an ice cream wallah from Panchkula chirps, “My clients never go to anybody else, but me. Perhaps they like the smile on my face when I run with their favourite ice creams towards them. And city denizens love to drive down to these smiling vendors, who are ever so eager to serve them their favourite scoops. Opines PU student Gaurav Tangri, “Most of us get bored with our studies around 2am in the night. And so we have a late night stroll, and gulp these refreshing candies.” So all you ice cream lovers out there, get set to have a late night drive. What if there’s little nightlife that the town boasts of. At some roundabout, you’re sure to bang into a happy ice cream rehri brigade, holding a promise of some colourful temptations for sure! |
|
Rotis that roll into the mouth
Missi roti, which every Punjabi loves, is prepared with besan and flour, something that reminds you of makki ki roti. Ajwain and finely chopped onion with green chilli increase its taste. Flour is added to the dough. Try out Missi roti in Hotel Taj. "We add a dash of turmeric powder for some tinge and it has proved to be quite a hit with our customers," says Dhan Singh, Chef of the Taj. Khasta (crispy) roti, another favourite item in the Punjabi dish, is the crusty and crunchy variety, which can be munched any time. Semolina is added to make it crispy. Baked in tandoor, it tastes good with vegetables. You can try it out at home too. Add semolina in besan and knead with gee, it and have delicious roti to soothe your rumbling stomach. Khasta roti, akin to kachori, is popular among children. "Children and women are very fond of khasta roti," says F. K. Dar, a chef at Hotel ShivalikView. Serves up with pudina chutney or curd and since it is crispy and salty, chomp it plainly. Rumali roti is associated with tehzeeb of Lucknow, the city of Nawabs. It’s thin like a handkerchief, for which it is called rumali roti. Mix maida and flour in a ration of 1:4. Add sugar, salt and egg to have the dough for rumali roti. "It’s a fun to twirl it up high in the air", says Sayed Ali, chef, Hotel MountView. Rumali roti goes well with mutton and kebab. Rumali roti can make at home on an inverted griddle. It originally hails from Syberia and travelled to India. Try out these delicious and nutritious rotis.
|
|
Corny concoctions Kandla Nijhowne
— Anonymous I
wonder what the delicious corn-cob did wrong for the derogatory ‘corny’
to be derived from it. I also wonder what it is about the sight and
fragrance of roasting bhuttas that makes even the most stuck-up
homo sapiens apply brakes and wait patiently, watching the chosen ones
spitting and sputtering over the glowing charcoal pile. At times like
these, we suffer total amnesia, throwing hygiene and caution to the
winds, overlooking the grubby fingers rotating the hot cobs around while
smearing blackened lemon halves across the blistered pearls. If you
enact this outside Debenhams on Oxford Street, they would not taste half
as good. The roadside dust, adding to the final flavour, would be
conspicuous by its absence! Corn and pepper frittata 600 gms potatoes, peeled, halved and thinly
sliced Mushroom and corn chowder 300 gms
cooked sweetcorn kernels
|
|
Plant a bulb Bone meal is important for bulbs as it releases phosphorous which encourages healthy blooms. This can be bought from a nursery and is a sterilisd mix of blood, marrow and bone. Bones from the table, egg shells, prawn casings, can also be dried and pounded for bone meal. Meat and fish washings can be sterilized with neem water and used. (boil fresh or dry neem leaves in water to make the insecticide.) The soil and bone meal mix can be used in pots or in beds. Soil depth ought to be 8” to 12”s. Scoop out a hole two or three sizes deeper than the bulb. Place the bulb, pointed side up, cover with soil and tamp down loosely. Water immediately and thoroughly but never soak the soil as rot may set in. Small bulbs and corms should be kept 2”s apart. More space is required for larger specimens. For pots, be sure to put a layer of pebbles and charcoal at the bottom to facilitate drainage. Bulb pots should be wide and not too deep. Bulbs and corms can be planted an inch apart, keeping in mind that these will have to be repotted by the next season. To avoid over watering and yet retain moisture, when the shoots are a few inches out of the soil, surround them with a mulch of wood chips, shredded paper, leaves or shredded bark. Bulbs can be planted in a particular block, in rows, according to the height of the blooms. For instance dahlias would be right at the back whereas tulips and narcissus would be in the front rows. Narcissus, hyacinth, amaryllis and lily of the valley can be grown in bowls of water. The bulbs and roots are anchored within deep layers of pebbles, beads or bits of coloured glass. The important point is that water has to reach the roots, not cover the entire bulb, otherwise it will rot. A basal layer of charcoal keeps the water fresh. Every two weeks half a cup of clear manure water should be added for nutrition. If cow dung is soaked in water for a week you’ll get liquid fertilizer. Moles, rats, mice and squirrels love bulbs as food. Prevent an invasion of rodents by placing a layer of chicken wire, 8”s below the surface of the bed to be used. After planting the bulbs, cover the soil with another layer of chicken mesh. With tying wire, stitch the two layers of mesh at the sides. Thick rubber gloves will be needed to avoid puncturing your skin. |
|
Climbing the IELTS ladder IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is an examination of intellect and understanding. It’s not a runway victory, which anyone can have. No doubt, luck has a crucial part to play but one can’t keep waiting for the fickle deity called good luck. Its better to believe that there is no substitute to hard work and put in one’s best for clearing this exam. No doubt, many students are burning midnight oil for clearing IELTS. KiranBir of Patiala is staying as a paying guest in Chandigarh, in a hope to clear IELTS. He says, “ This examination is not difficult but can only be cleared if you are good at English.” Ajaypal, a postgraduate in English from Ludhiana, staying with his cousin in Chandigarh reveals, “Not just a sound English but awareness is also important.” Joban a resident of Mohali says, “Reading module is the tough part as the options are mostly confusing. It needs profound concentration.” A faculty member from NIFD reasons, “Students may be deficient in basic knowledge, may lack good schooling or may be inattentive in class, which may lead to poor knowledge and consequently poor results.” English in itself is a very big business, especially in Punjab. The difficulty lies with the choice of the right teacher. Students lament that though they are trying hard but still they are unable to reach the desired destination. This confusion among students shows their fear for IELTS. In an interview with Neena of B-school for IELTS, tell, “Many students are facing problems with the language, so we bifurcate the batches into three groups, beginners, intermediates and the advanced. These students are then accordingly taught English.” She even clarified the point that there are more aspirants for Australia. Their main reason she said is to get the work permit and PR (Permanent Resident). Anu of Evince reasons, “Publicity of an institute depends on the satisfaction of the students.” She adds that mouth-to-mouth publicity also plays a vital role. She said, “It is the fascination for a glamorous life abroad which attracts.” She added that even the rich students, who have been given the facilities from AC cars to highest ranged mobiles, yearn for going abroad. Aspirants are ready to pay anything for making their hallway abroad. According to other surveys, 90 per cent go in academic module and 10 per cent in general module. Reading newspaper daily, may be a local one, will definitely help in improving English and will provide some good vocabulary also. Routine usage of these words will help in memorising them. Instead of directly going for BBC, one can start with Indian English News Channel. Reading fairy tales or other easy English storybooks will suffice the matter. This will ensure your getting a fresh and good start. The IELTS exam is an opportunity to use one’s excellence and letting the dreams travel far and wide. |
|
A click of perfection
The a100 series is complemented by wide range accessories, plus an extensive range compatible flashes, lighting systems, adaptors, extension cables and external battery adaptors for off-camera and multiple flash; plus an eyepiece magnifier, angle finder, eyepiece corrector, remote commander and AC adaptor/charger. There is also a choice of branded camera case, lens case and strap options. There is a slot for CompactFlash Type I/II and Microdrive® media cards. The camera also accepts Memory Stick PRO™ and Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media cards through a supplied adaptor. The a100 series will be available at select Sony stores across the country at the following prices DSLR-A100 – Rs. 54,990/ DSLR-A100K – Rs. 64,990/- DSLR-A100W – Rs. 74,990/- Independence Week at Ebony
There is 59% off on men’s apparels covering shirts, trousers, T-shirts, cargos, lowers, Capri’s, shorts, woolens, jackets, coats & suits, sweat shirts etc and in ladies apparels on woolens, tops, shirts, trousers & nightwear. In kid’s apparels brands like Gini & Jony, Reebok & Demark are on 59% off covering woolens, jackets, tops, shirts, T-shirts, trousers & shorts. The designer wear collection is also on 59% off – Rina Dhaka, Kavita Bhartiya, Raghuvendra Rathore, Anil Nanda, Rohit Bal, Shantanu & Nikhil. Envy the fashion accessories section is offer flat rate offer of Rs59/- & Rs159/- on danglers & fashion jewellery. Kurkure masti squares
Fritolay India, the leading convenience food company of India, has launched its exciting new teatime snack with Kurkure masti squares. The new square shaped masti squares can be consumed just like that or can be used as a snack base to create versatile toppings. The delectable masti squares is available in an exciting new flavour-“ sweet n sour”. Offered at two price points: 45 gms pack at Rs10, 100 gms pack at 20 the new kukrkure masti square comes in a refreshing pink pack and is available across key cities in India. Exciting offer
Tata Indicom, India’s fastest growing telecom service provider, today announced a revolutionary national tariff plan for its Walky customers. Tata Indicom Walky customers can now make STD calls to any other Tata Indicom Walky phone across the country at an incredibly low rate of Rs. 1.20 for three minutes. This new offer and STD tariff plan will be made available to all existing and new Walky customers across the country. The pulse rate for a STD call is set at 180 seconds which effectively sets the call tariff at 0.40 paise per minute- the lowest tariff offered at present by operator across the country. The unique proposition of this offer is that calls are applicable to all Tata Indicom Walky phones across the country in addition to inter and intra circle calls. Get juicy
Jumpin, the fruit juice brand from the Godrej Beverages and Foods Limited (GBFL) stable is revitalizing its brand profile with an innovative and fresh Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) plan to tap the rapidly growing juice market in India. The adverting campaign is sported by a new package design targeting children in the age group of 5 to 12 years. Jumpin will be available for the first time in PET bottle sizes of 500ml, 1 litre and 1.5 litres all over India. The new range of jumpin is priced at Rs 10 for 200ml tetra pack, RS 20 for 500ml, Rs 35 for 1 litre and Rs 45 for 1.5 litre PET bottles. Goodness in a pack
Dabur Foods captures the essence of refreshing Mausambi, bringing you the goodness of your favourite fruit juice in hygienic, tertapack format for the first time in India. Real Mausambi pack the same taste and goodness of Mausambi juice. Available across India, you can now taste the goodness of Mausambi in a 200ml pack or 1-litre MCK priced at Rs 68 respectively. Tress magic
Oppositions always define the world of the general, by bold, unexpected encounters that lead to extraordinary combinations. This spring summer is the time for bold fashions, for unexpected combination of materials, for daring jumbles that lead to astonishing blends, its time to harmonize blends that seem contradictory, to bring together eras and style to encourage creativity and boldness. L’Oreal professional gets inspired by the flavour of the season and focuses on the retro-fiction jumbles as it launches its spring/summer collection titled Geometric Colours. |
|
Juicy tales Conquer the fizz, cuddle the juice! Calorie-beater and health-booster, fruit in its many avatars is a dieter’s delight, a health-fiend’s best friend and a food junkie’s tooth sweetener! And preening and priming the good word (fruit!) is Orchards Bagicha in Sector 8, Panchkula. No verdant garden this but yes, the fruit is ripe and fresh for picking for this is a one-stop shop of juices and shakes, salads and creams in the most agreeable permutations and combinations. Think papaya shake or a small glass of ghia or karela juice to refresh your beleaguered digestion or perhaps a Kiwi thingamajig, if exotic is your path! Started three years ago by Gurmeet Singh, Rajesh Kakkar and Mohan Chawla, all of whom are “in the fruit business”, the beginnings were modest from a rehri in Sector 26. However, the aspiration was to have a niche outlet, to “up the standard” so to speak and Orchards Bagicha was born. “The aim is to provide everything your heart could desire right through the year,” smiles Rajesh. So purple grapes from California, syrupy lychees from Thailand, bottle-green Kiwi fruit from New Zealand and even the brethren of the musk-melon, the lovely yellow Sharda from Afghanistan—sweet like sugarcane—are all there for the asking. And it is not just the whole fruit that delights. A dozen juices, shakes, fruit salads and fruit creams, including special options for those on fasts are all cut and prepared just before you gulp them down. Juices in medium (300 ml), large (400 ml), extra large (500 ml) or super large (600 ml) options run the gamut from mosambi to orange, anaar, anaar-pineapple, apple, water-melon and even carrot amongst others. Even the shakes come in a variety of sizes and include delights like cheeku, strawberry, babbu gosha, khajoor, honey and even kiwi along with the seasonal delight mango. Choose from imported or Indian apples for your fruit salad (Rs 70 / Rs 50), mangoes, papaya and pomegranates and add a scoop of ice-cream for ecstasy to grapes and pears or a dollop of cream to any fruit of your choice for Rs 30, 40, 50 and 60 depending on the size! So is this not a risky venture considering fruit spoils fast? “Not really, taking care of the fruit is very important and what is takes is experience not education,” elucidate Gurmeet and Rajesh. They should know for they also provide fruity choices on grandiose displays are weddings, jagrans, birthdays and casual dinner dos as these healthy delights fast out-ride the fried tit-bit routine. At the end of it all, try fruity delights not for health but as Rajesh puts it, “the sheer adventure of fruit” for celebrating every season, every month and every moment of life is a new fruit making its pretty appearance. |
|
Phone tapping goes on
Jessica happy after divorce
Singer/Actress Jessica Simpson who officially divorced former boy band star Nick Lachey about month ago, insists that she has never been happier following her divorce, because she has discovered a new perspective in life.
The ‘Dukes of Hazzard’ star said that she now feels more independent and convinced that she can now realise all of her career ambitions. “I feel free, independent and strong. Once I realised how much I really did want from life, I took on a whole new perspective,” Contactmusic quoted Jessica as saying. The actress, 25, split from Lachey, 32 in November after a stormy three-year marriage which was documented on MTV’s reality TV show Newlyweds: Nick + Jessica. Clooney and tomato sauce
Actor George Clooney might not have to worry about getting broke even if his movie career dips, as the Ocean 12 could very soon be launching his own homemade tomato sauce in the market. Clooney is being urged to market his homemade tomato sauce after it was admired by some of his celebrity pals. The ‘Batman’ actor often gives pasta treats for guests staying at his Italian home and now one of them, music mogul Quincy Jones, is insisting Clooney put the paste on store shelves.
Jones has reportedly been telling friends that the sauce he tasted during a recent trip to Clooney’s home was the best he has ever tasted, reports Contactmusic.
Clooney is set appear in Ocean’s 13 and a classic horror remake The Pet Sematary. Eva’s gay
experience
Eva Longoria’s beau Tony Parker better watch out, for she’s hoping for a “full-on gay experience” after smooching a woman.
The Desperate Housewives star revealed that she wanted to explore another facet of her sexuality, and that she now wanted her partner to be a woman for she feels that the female form is more attractive than the male form.
“I wish I had a full-on gay experience because I think women are beautiful creatures. They’re much more attractive naked than men and it sounds like fun. Maybe I’m just holding out for the future,” Contactmusic quoted her, as saying. Eva also made public that she has had a little experience when it comes to kissing women, for she once shared a passionate kiss with another woman.
“I did kiss a woman one time and it was particularly shocking as I was not prepared for it. I met a girl in Las Vegas who I didn’t know liked me. We were hanging out with a bunch of friends and we were saying goodbye and she gave me a kiss. It was very surprising but very nice. There were tongues involved and it was definitely a real kiss which was soft and gentle and sweet,” she added. |
|
Shiamak’s game begins
Experts from an interview with Shiamak Davar: Did you as a child ever dream of being a superstar of this level? I always knew I would be a legend. That I’d make a mark or rather will be a benchmark in my craft. What do you have to say about the kind of talent and potential that exists today in the masses? Indians are very talented. Given the scope that we have today, it is so evident how much a common man is influenced by bollywood, how closely the masses admire and live it in their everyday lives. How does it feel to be associated with
superstars? “Frankly, I am honored. It’s a new reality series that Endemol and Sahara One Television has come up with and asked me to be a part of. Polishing talent and to take it to the national level has always been my motto. No dream is too big, agree or disagree? I completely agree, no dream is too big. If you have faith in yourself, willingness to go that extra mile where others give up and belief in destiny, sky is the limit. What expectations do you have from Superstars? Just that we should be able to provide a quality standard entertainment and platform to the deserving and those who are going to be a part of Superstars You have reached this position with hard work and determination. Could you please quote a few lines of inspiration for our contestants and viewers? Let the games begin. — D.P. |
|
Making music a child’s play Sushant Sharma, an upcoming Chandigarh-based music composer, always nursed a dream of creating a different kind of music. And his dream is slowly being realised in the form of musical scores for the children’s educational audio-visual aids. In fact, the young maestro has virtually made the music a child’s play if his track record is any indication. Till now, the musician has scored music for over 30 cassettes, CDs and DVDs for children brought out by the Golden Ball music company of the musicologist Dr Tripat Singh. “Children’s music comes as a whiff of fresh air as the contemporary music sounds monotonous nowadays. It is original and demands hardwork and patience,” Sushant says. Sushant says there is a lot of scope for experimentation in this kind of music. Moreover, with the information technology becoming new rage with the kids, the animated music is the music of the future. With that end in mind, Sushant is already composing music for a few animated series, cartoons and children’s audio-visual educational aids. Born in a musical family, the noted guitarist, who is regular accompanist with the legends, including Mehndi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, Jagjit Singh, claims that children’s music is his passion. “It is a noble mission as drawing the children to our rich musical heritage always fascinates me,” adds Sushant. Talking about his future plans, the music director says he wants to continue with the children’s music along with the popular commercial music. In fact, I want to create world-class music on the pattern of the Hollywood cartoon characters, Sushant, who is already a name to reckon with in the city musical circles, sums up. |
|
Health tip of the day
A walking cane when positioned besides the leg should be long enough for the elbow to be bent thirty to forty degrees and does not require persistent elevation of the shoulders when used.
— Dr Ravinder Chadha |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
It’s about 10.30 pm. As the dusk softly gathers the day into its arms, the city seems to fade away into a numb darkness. Ominous monsoon clouds looming over the horizon seem thickening this blanket of darkness are the. But just when it seems like the city’s going into a deep slumber, there’s a sudden outburst of activity.
Want
to give into the temptation of something hot ‘n’ spicy? Go desi and
satiate your huger pang with lip- smacking roties. 
A
Kentucky–born author named Vaughn,
Bulbs require well-rained soil and plenty of light. The minimum light hours required are four to five, so choose your spot well. As Chandigarh has clayey soil, lighten it with sand, moss or powdered, dry leaves and sterilisd cow dung. All these make the soil porous.
Sony India today unveiled its first Digital Single Lens Reflex (D-SLR) camera, a100 under the
a (pronounced “alpha”) brand. The name ‘a’ represents the highest level of quality, as well as a new beginning for Sony. The a100 combines advanced SLR features with technologies that broaden users’ creative possibilities while assuring superior results for it audience of amateurs and families. 
Celebrating the freedom spirit, Ebony Retail Holdings ltd, the country’s leading fashion & lifestyle retailer announced a variety of products & offers that you can buy on Independence week. The store is celebrating the 59th Independence Day by offering upto 59% off on products and merchandise across categories. 
It seems that the heir to the British throne Prince Charles is not the only one whose phone conversations have been tapped, for stars Keira Knightley and Hugh Grant are reportedly keeping him company in the illegal phone hacking scandal in the UK.
Journalist Clive Goodman, the Royal Editor for the News of the World newspaper, who is said to be involved in tapping phones at Prince Charles’ London home Clarence House, has been charged with eight counts of illegally intercepting telephone voicemail messages at between January 3 and May 30.
Sources at Scotland Yard’s anti-terrorist branch believe that the Prince of Wales is not the only victim, and that phone calls made by Knightley and Grant may also have been tapped.
Goodman is not the only journalist who is involved in this scandal, for he revealed that there are as many as 250 others who took part in the activity.
“Dozens of recent exclusives come from illegal tapping. I understand that there are 250 other journalists involved in this investigation,” Contactmusic quoted him, as saying.
The whole of Bollywood at the snap of his fingers. His bio-data lists even his height and the colour of his eyes and hair. It mentions his skills as “singer, actor, dancer, choreographer, director, music composer and lyricist.” To which Shimak Davar has now added the tag of a jury member along with Mast Mast girl Urmila Matondkar of Sahara One ‘s new reality show Superstars.