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Pluto may come and Pluto may go but the world of Indian Vedic astrology will go on forever, city astrologers tell Nirupama Dutt It is busy time for our homegrown astrologer in his office in ShivalikView Hotel in Chandigarh’s Sector 17 on Wednesday mid-day. If it were not for the colourfully painted zodiac signs and yantra art all over the place, it could well be a doctor’s clinic for here are people waiting for their turn to know what the stars may or may not tell. There are clients who are ill, others who have problems like a delay in marriage and there are some of the ambitious variety who want their business ventures to flourish.
Surprise factor Caught in the midst of all this, P. Khurrana yet finds time to lash out at scientists for demoting poor Pluto from its status of a planet. Very agitated, he says: “What is surprising is that science which is termed as hundred per cent accurate as compared to astrology is making mockery by disqualifying their earlier discoveries.” The reason for his decrying the scientists is that the World Astronomers Society recently rejected Pluto, discovered in 1930 by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, as a planet. Pluto could not live up to the three planetary criteria: A planet is anything in the heavens that’s massive enough for its own gravity to keep it roughly round, that orbits a star on its own and is not a satellite, and that has cleared away any loose cosmic rubble from its neighborhood. Defending his own field, Khurrana says: “If we astrologers make a mistake , we are damned for all times. What about scientists? Some years ago they had come out with yet another discovery that a thirteenth zodiac sign called Ophiuchus had been discovered but that is the last we heard of it.” In fact, the truth is that Pluto may come or Pluto may go, it makes no difference to the 5000-year-old world of Vedic astrology. Khurrana says so and so does our beautiful and glamorous astrologer, Gurpashna Sekhon, who is popularly known as Gini. Clarifying the misconception that some lay persons may have in identifying Neptune and Pluto as Rahu and Ketu, Gini says: “Indian Vedic astrologers have never counted Uranus, Neptune and Pluto in their astrology so they do not matter to us. In fact, Western astrology has a marginal impact of Pluto and that will remain whether the scientists accept Pluto as a planet or not.” Madan Gupta Spatu, once a banker and writer, who has set up his own astrological clinic in his home in Sector 20, says: “Controversies come and go but Indian astrology is based on very strong research and nothing can shake it.” Spatu says: “Rahu and Ketu are shadowy imagined planets and have always played a part in Indian astrology and it would be blasphemy to confuse them in any way with Neptune and Pluto.” G.S. Aggarwal, in his book Practical Vedic Astrology, says: “Literally speaking nodes (Rahu and Ketu) are simply two sensitive points on the ecliptic where the plane of Moon’s orbit intersects with the plane of the Sun’s orbit.” He adds that even in Western astrology Uranus and Pluto were more effective in predicting calamities and catastrophes. Khurrana says: “Let scientists carry on with making discoveries and then wiping them out. That is their job anyway. And we should carry on with our job.” And he is right for all the three star foretellers that one contacts are so busy that they have little time to bemoan Pluto’s demotion for it did not figure in their calculations any way.
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Dial ‘C’ for controversy She loves to hang around with her chirpy little pal. At times, the little bugger’s constant blabber leaves B.A. first year student Rupa Khanna exasperated. In fact, the incessant buzz infuriates her to infinity; especially when she is flipping though the book of joy with her other friends. But then the undergrad knows very well that she just cannot do anything without her constant companion. For, her partner in joy and sorrow is not just a buddy, but her lifeline, literally. And now when academic pursuits threaten to split her friendship with her pal — the swanky little mobile phone, Rupa is feeling all so helpless. “How am I going to dial up networking?” is the question the MCM, DAV College student has been asking herself. Well Rupa, there were students in days when mobile phones were seen just in western flicks, but then living life in a material whirl of malls and multiplexes, you are not supposed to understand all this! “I remember the charm of parting to meet again, even after small little quarrels, in my college days,” recalls Punjab and Haryana High Court advocate Anil Pal Singh Shergill. “Instead of short messages through the phones, there were scrambled pieces of paper with peace notes, to be thrown at each other in the classrooms. Or else, there were apology cards to be exchanged.” But now every thing is so direct and instant. “All you have to do is to press a couple of keys for getting hold of anyone, anywhere,” says another advocate Raman Sharma. “Albeit this constant connectivity has thrown magic out of relationship’s coverage area, the youngsters are still dialing up disturbance and noise in close conversation.” Sharma believes that this instantaneous linkage has made the youngsters so less tolerant. No wonder, the younglings, charged up like the batteries of their mobile sets, react so badly when instructors scold, or even slap them, and demand public apology. Right, that also less than a week before the Teacher’s Day celebrations! Well, all you guys and gals, just phone up some more patience by switching off your mobiles sets. Get connected to the surroundings by listening to the silence in the chirping of birds, instead of cheeping friends, especially when you go out for a walk in the mornings. Remember, eye is the best camera and there is music in the gushing of water, not just in ring tones!
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Designer Bathroom
You don’t need to knock out walls or add a room to make your small bath appear bigger. Place moldings, tile borders or get stenciling done where the walls and ceiling meet. The splash of color there will naturally draw the eye upward. Vertical stripes with a small airy print will also make your walls seem taller. Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring. Give a clean look with a shade of white such as ecru, oyster, almond or beige. These neutral tones will make a small bathroom appear larger. Alternatively, paint it all in a bright colour such as ochre, orange, fushia, jardin and then accentuate with sleek bathroom fittings in white, oyster even chrome. Woodwork and doors will disappear if they are painted the same hue as the walls. You can further enhance the effect by using the same color on cabinets, counters and walls. Add interest with a variety of textures such as woven baskets, textured fabrics and wooden pieces. Consider trading in your existing space-stealing bulky fixtures for a pedestal sink, a scaled down vanity or a tub with feet. Consider installing glass partition for your bathing area or a small shower cubicle, which, however, must be large enough for you to wash yourself properly without knocking your elbows against the glass. Storage that is flush with the walls creates a streamlined look. Build niches and alcoves, which can easily hold small toiletry items. Use deeper units like shelves, drawers and cabinets for large items like linens, toilet tissue and toiletries in large bottles. Uninterrupted flooring stretches visual space. You can add extra space to the room when you install floating cabinetry and wall-mounted vanities because they translate into visible square footage. Install horizontal cabinets at eye level rather than floor standing vertical ones. Never install toiletry cabinets underneath the sink shelf. Mirrors multiply space. So mirror the long wall in a bath and it will appear to be twice its actual size. Remember that the mirror must reflect your bath’s assets, a wall hanging, a view or any other special feature. Two mirrors facing or at right angles to each other create the magnificent illusion of a never-ending room. Harness light into this tiny space through frosted glass windows and skylights or use only lace panels. Blinds and shades are another sleek and sensible solution because they can be drawn up and out of sight when necessary. Alternatively use sheer fabric on a tension rod over the lower portion of the window to allow light in and provide privacy. Glass blocks, a popular feature for baths create dramatic walls of light that can be extended to the ceiling if you wish. Are you brave enough to convert this headache of a tiny space into a piece of art by having frosted, etched and stained glass panels instead of concrete walls? We never seem to have enough space. Nevertheless, space can be manipulated to be more functional and to appear larger. Courtsey: A.P. Singh Besten & Co
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Slipping distance
Guys, you may find it hard to believe it if you have not been to any campus recently. But so many students are actually zipping down the fast track of life, all the way to college campuses, in slippers. Right fellows, they have been attending classes after slipping into slippers. Stepping into indiscipline
Nay, not those chic ones in cheerful hues with psychedelic beads hanging from the straps, the ones models wear before sashaying down the ramp. But the simple slippers that so many people do not prefer to wear out of their bathrooms! They are expensive, undoubtedly. But then they are the types students would not have worn even to the markets about a decade back. “When we were in college in the early 80s, it was strictly black shoes in the mornings and brown ones in the evenings,” recalls Sector 33 resident-cum-businessman Arun
Kathuria. “No, there were no hard and fast rules governing the wearing of shoes to the college grounds. It was generally a convention”. But things changed drastically with the invasion of cable television in the early 90s. “Blame the open Indian skies for it, or call it just another fad, but the alien serials on the television brought into living rooms changed attitudes,” says
Kathuria. “All of a sudden, you had the students wearing torn-at-knee jeans and sneakers to the college campuses”. Changed attitudes
And now, they have gone a step further. “Living in a country that boasts of producing students like
Eklavya, they demand apology from the teachers for scolding college mates and that too less than a week before the Teacher’s Day celebrations. This is not the end of it. They come to the campuses wearing jeans folded up to the knees under short spaghetti tops that rise up to the occasion every time they bend after teaming the stuff with slippers,” says a physical education teacher working in a government school. “It’s high time that the parents, instead of blindly supporting their little ones on such issues, should look at the entire thing critically. Also, the mobile companies should change the punch lines in their advertisements. After all, you need more than a mobile set to grab the world in your fists”. Sensible, indeed! — Saurabh Malik
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(Riders’) paradise regained You wish you were there too. To witness the dances of hill spirits as they celebrated alien company in a whirlpool of silences, punctuated only by the ringing of Buddhist bells. Imagine, being with a barren landscape that speaks a peculiar language, maybe your own. …Imagine vague sounds in an enveloped darkness—enchanting and humbling. Imagine…don’t just read. For, Ambala based lecturers
Y.M. Saini and Rajindra Sharma, the experience of hitting the road to Khardung La, the highest motorable road in the world on their Enfield motorcycles recently, as they get set to celebrate their 50th birthdays, can never be more captivating as a distant reality. A slice of thrill
As they cut the barren hill air, embraced in a magnificent darkness, both remember, “We chose Khardung La for it is the riders’ paradise, for it gives you an immense sense of space, both external and otherwise,” they insist. Saini says that their ten-day trip was all about, “freedom, adventure and reassurance”. For Sharma, the thrill was
unparalled, “We both have been biking for around 30 years now, but the suspense that Leh offered was overwhelming. There was no way that we could have not undertaken the divine journey.” Stressing that the whole journey involved just the bare minimum sans any logistic or medical support, Saini and Sharma laugh, “Even if we had some spare tools, who knows how to fix the bike? Yes, we completely surrendered to the forces external.” Visit Saini’s home and witness an array of vehicles, “But it’s the bike that fascinates me no end. Which other mode can introduce to elements in their virginity? Sharma, who makes it a point to undertake one such journey every year can’t even think of leaving biking. “If you look at it closely, it’s a religion in the most pious form. You don’t mind the break-downs, you really don’t mind any obstacles in whatever form they confront you.” Talk about a number of biker groups who undertake such journeys on a massive scale now, and Saini smiles, “How can a true biker seek the real thrill when everything is so planned? How can you guarantee that one would come across compatible temperaments? The very idea that what will you in case of a breakdown gives an unparalleled high. During this and numerous other journeys, we’ve slept sans a roof over our heads, can you imagine the high that the same lends?” OK, but there is a lack of serious biking in this country? “Definitely. The young bikers you see in the cities are not really bikers. Just to be seen on a bike doesn’t amount to serious biking,” Sharma is quick to point. Adding that serious biking should not be mixed with modern gadgets and access to all the logistics possible, Saini states, “What’s the point of going to Leh with GPS? Serious biking for me is—you kick off and you ride away.” Insisting that it doesn’t really take exceptional talent to embark on such journeys, Saini says, “One must be mentally and physically fit and boast of a state of mind that is ready for any eventuality, any!” Sharma adds, “You must boast of courage, fascination, love for mountains and a yearning for discovery, which may not necessarily mean an external one.” The conversation with the riders end, and they ride towards their college. The metamorphosis is complete. Want to know who they really are? There is a distant sound of an Enfield taming the road…
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An artist’s way with the world
There are days when one gets up with a feeling that there is something special about them. So it was with August 31. Is it some birthday that one is forgetting or a wedding anniversary in the family? Searching the family list of birthdays, I recall that an aunt was born this day but it is years since she is gone away. Then moving out the family bylanes, I search for other occasions. Yes, the birthday of Amrita Pritam, the famed Punjabi writer was born this day. I must make it a point to call her life partner Imroz. Set free
Sure enough! “I am off the leash now and free to do the things I always wished to do.” Painting, Satwant, has done all the time. He is one artist who will sketch, or doodle every day. He says with a laugh, “Art for me has been my girl friend who will be angry if I do not keep the daily date with her.” But he wants to do some books in Punjabi for children with illustrations. His book Billo ate Jadoo di Pitari, dedicated to the girl child, had won him two national awards. Satwant who has always painted animals with the love of a child is now working on Kale Memane (Black Lambs). So children can look forward to some lovely books written and illustrated by Uncle Satwant.
Animals were Satwant’s friends in his childhood days spent in Shimla for he was an introvert and did not have many friends. He would play instead with lambs, the roosters and sing to the chirping birds. Interestingly, his father had a store of musical instruments and Satwant would keep making drawings of his animal friends or the sarangi and the sitar. In 1966, he came to join the College of Art, Chandigarh, and was one of the few who knew sketching and composition even before it was taught to hi. In 1971, he graduated and onto the job. But he remained one with his art and was creatively linked with media, theatre, performing arts and publications. In principle
What does not appeal to Satwant is the excessive commercialisation in art as well as the politicisation of art. “It is not for the artist to become a jathedar of sorts. It is for him/her to create. I have always been very careful to stay away and live by art alone. In fact, when the principal’s post was offered to me, I declined. I am more concerned with the principles of art,” he says. It is said that ‘the safest way to avoid the world is through art; and the safest way to be linked to the world is through art.’ That is how it is with Satwant who has always related with the world by an artist’s way.
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The Sufi poetry of Shah Hussain has inspired Dr. Naresh to pen a book interpreting the poetry and life of the poet, reports Parbina Rashid The 63rd is already out and the 64th is waiting to see the daylight soon. No, we are not giving you the statistics of some population survey. It’s about Dr Naresh and his books, who after acquainting us with a lineage of poets from Punjab who had written Bhakti poetry through his recent book Vissaria Virsa, is ready with his next one Shah Hussain: Jivan te Rachna –this time on the life and works of Sufi poet Shah Hussain. Even before one can think about going into the subject matter of his recent book, the question that’s slips out automatically is “where do you get your inspiration from to write so many of them?” And we get a dreamy poet like Naresh quoting Ghalib that the inspiration comes from the vacuum, the Almighty. “It’s an ongoing process,” and the mood shifts from sher-o-shayari to a professional chitchat. “When I had written Bolliyan Imaratan (History of Monuments of Punjab) about 15 years back, I had discovered a lineage of Hindi poets who wrote beautiful bhakti poetry either in Gurmukhi or Persian.” His almost two-decade-old research resulted in tracing down 22 poets right from Guru Nanak’s time to the 21st century. Dr. Naresh, who works with the sole motivation of breaking down the linguistic barrier, says “Punjab’s contribution to Indian literature till now has been practically nil as most of the works had been written either in Gurmukhi or Perssian and secondly a majority of the works were never published.” How did he track them down? “By visiting various deras in undivided Punjab.” And when he elaborates how hard it was for him to lay his hands on the works of the poets like Gosayin Sayin Dass, a contemporary of Guru Nanak, Sri Bhagwan (birth 1943), Sri Narayan (death 1658) up to Sant Sampuran Singh (death 1946), his two-decade-long journey comes out to be an adventurous one. “The documents are sacred for to those who own them and in many a cases has legal values attached to them. So many time I would not be even allowed to touch them, forget about taking them out to the market to get it photocopied,” he says. But his persistence finally paid off and he managed to procure them, at least long enough to study them and form an opinion about the poets and their works. What about his latest one? “With this I want to clear some misconception about Shah Hussain who is also another misunderstood poet like Ghalib.” And of course the driving force behind all his works will remain the same—to help people come out of the linguistic barrier. “People say Urdu is the language of the Muslims but except for a select belt where do you find Muslims who speak Urdu, like the Kashmiri or North-Eastern Muslims? And which is actually the Hindi speaking area?” One cannot help but agree with him. For this former Chairman of Bhai Vir Singh Chair for Modern Literature at Panjab University and has equal command over Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi and English (14 books in Urdu, 32 in Hindi and 17 in Punjabi), he is a person who knows his subject.
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HOPSCOTCH The only two things
Gujranwala is known by are blood-red maltas and Amrita Pritam,"
quipped Imroz many years ago when one sat interviewing the grand dame of
letters, still in her prime, way back in the Seventies. Yes, Amrita was
born on August 31, 1919. So it is the day of her birth today and time to
remember her as one moves onto the first day of September. Not that one
ever forgets her but such occasions give an opportunity to share one’s
thoughts with other people for she was a writer who did Punjabi proud
and also did womanhood proud. What was most appreciable was that she
wanted no fuss and no prayers over her death but rather celebration and
rejoicing by those who cared for her. Her achievements are well known
and so was her unusual life, which was always an open book. So a tribute
to the writer who will live always in the lines of her own poem on the
theme of freedom: I have effaced the name from the nameplate
outside my house I have even rubbed off the number Wherever you see a
free soul You will know that it is my home In her town In
March this year an Indo-Pak mushaira was organised in Pakistan by
the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce. Six poets formed the Indian
contingent and of them five were women. Well, this was fine because the
mushaira was after all being held at Amrita’s birthplace. Imroz was
invited too but since he did not have a passport, he sent his poems
written to Amrita as well as a big picture of Amnrita’s, which now
graces chamber building in Gujranwala. Amrita had seen the uprooting and
destruction of the Partition and Indo-Pak ties were dear to her. A
prayer for the bonds between the two countries to remain good and the
buses should not ply to and fro empty because visas are not being
granted. In her footsteps The past few years have seen many women
poets making their presence felt in the world of Punjabi letters. The
past year saw books by Pal Kaur, Shirin Anandita, Simrat Gagan and
Amarjit Ghumman. Keep it up girls for the happiest moment for literature
is when the masculine and feminine impulses combine. — Nirupama
Dutt
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Catherine perfect for Douglas
The Basic Instinct actor says it was love at first sight when he met the Welsh actress and was convinced from the moment he saw her he would spend his life with her. “As soon as I met Catherine, I told her I wanted to have babies with her. And the moment I found out that she had the same birthday as me - tadaah. Then when I discovered she loved golf, I realised all my fantasies had come true,” Femalefirst quoted the 61-year-old, as telling Night and Day magazine. “I’ve lucked out at this time in my life. I just lucked out. I’m so impressed by her intelligence, sense of humour and work ethic,” he added. One more try
It seems that Kate Hudson’s marriage isn’t over as yet, for she and hubby, rocker Chris Robinson are reportedly back on track. The couple is reportedly planning to spend Labor Day weekend at the California Speedway in Fontana, watching the Sony HD 500 NASCAR races, of which the ‘The Black
Crowes’ frontman is a huge fan. A pal of the couple revealed that Robinson and Hudson had never really split in the first place. Looking for a new love
It’s only been a month since his divorce, but former Baywatch star David Hasselhoff is already on the look out for a new lady love.
And when it comes to the type of girl Hasselhoff, who is set to visit the UK next month, wants to call his girlfriend, while she must be ‘beautiful’, it’s essential that she’s not a ‘dumb blonde’, but a clever ‘chick’. “I’m coming to England in September and I want to find myself a beautiful girlfriend. But I don’t want some dumb blonde. I’d like a woman who’s really intelligent,” Contactmusic quoted him, as saying. “I saw this girl recently who must have stepped out of the office during her lunch break and was wearing work clothes and glasses, and I thought to myself, ‘That’s what I want, a chick who’s career-orientated,’” he added. Paris’ star on the descend
Her song Stars are Blind may be a hit, but it seems aspiring singer Paris Hilton’s debut music album is not going to help her break into the music biz. Hilton’s first CD Paris has not had the desired effect, and after selling just 75,000 copies in the USA during its first week out, it’s been declared a certified flop in the industry. And, it seems that Paris languishing at the bottom of Billboard’s Hot 100 has the hotel heiress’ label so worried that they’ve even rushed out her second single, Turn It Up,- which isn’t doing very well either. An industry source revealed that even internationally, the album was not likely to do any better.
Doherty back on track
Troubled rocker Pete Doherty’s music career seems to be coming back on track, as he has reportedly signed a multi-album deal worth 1million pounds at the weekend.
Doherty, who is currently receiving treatment for drugs at a London Rehab centre, and his band Babyshambles have bagged the lucrative recording contract with major label
Parlophone, reports the Mirror. “He’s over the moon because The Beatles were with
Parlophone. That means a lot to him,” the paper quoted an insider, as saying.
— ANI
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Laugh your hearts out
Following the success of producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s and director Raj Kumar Hirani’s ‘Munnabhai MBBS’, comic capers seem to be the season’s flavour. Vidhu Vinod Chopra has toyed with the idea of a ‘Munnabhai MBBS part II.’ Much hype has been created around deciding the name of the film but finally it is ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai,’ that will hit Batra, Chandigarh and Suraj, Panchkula today. Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra hopes that his film will get a bumper opening. The buzz is that ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ will meet all the expectations raised by the success of ‘Munnabhai MBBS’. If you have seen the prequel, you will go nuts about the sequel. The sequel starts the original cast of Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani. They are well supported by ‘Parineeta’ fame Vidya Balan and Dia Mirza. ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ is produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and directed by Raj Kumar Hirani. The viewers will watch another episode in Munnabhai and Circuit’s life and their encounter with truth. Jimmy Shergil is a part of this comic caper too. Junior Bachchan also makes special appearance in the film. Swanand Kirkire has penned the lyrics for composer Shantanu Moitra who got into limelight with ‘Parineeta’. ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ promises double the fun this time. Tugging the Punjabi heartstrings
Tips Films maiden Punjabi project ‘Dil Apna Punjabi’ will be released today at Kiran, Chandigarh and Fun Republic, Manimajra. A film about values, cultures and tradition, it is written and directed by Manmohan Singh. It is produced by Kumar S. Taurani and Ramesh S. Taurani. The film stars Harbhajan Maan, Neeru Bajwa, Mahek Chahel, Dara Singh, Kanwaljeet Singh, Deep Dhillon, Gurpreet Ghuggi and Amar Noorie. Apache Indian and Tania Zaetta also feature in the two songs composed by Sukhshinder Shinda. Babu Singh Maan and Amarjit Musapuria has penned the lyrics for a complete family Punjabi film. — D.P.
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Asrani goes ‘tapori’ way As a judge for Sony Television’s dance fiesta ‘Boogie Woogie’ (this is his second appearance for the show) he comes in to size up the participants in the Tapori special. “It is a challenging programme because it removes hidden inhibitions and makes competition appear healthy. What’s more, youngsters today seem like our baaps (fathers) while performing,” he laughs. Attributing it to the plethora of opportunities and new vistas opening up, he says life is a great confidence-booster but one that needs to be taken by the horns. However, just good prospects are not enough to make it, “talent is a necessary ingredient and that is what I look for in shows like these.” With films like Priyadarshan’s Baagambagh, Suneel Darshan’s Shakalaka Boom Boom, Fauj Mein Mauj, Old is Gold, Anees Bazmi’s Welcome and Ahmed Khan’s Full and Final his hands are full. “I was very lucky to be groomed by stalwarts like the late Hrishikesh Mukerjee, Gulzar and some exceptionally fine South Indian directors like L. V. Prasad. Even today I look for good directors to work with because even if you have just two scenes they know how to present you.” He should know, for as an acclaimed character artist (comedian would be too small a word for his vast repertoire of work!), Asrani has brought to life a gamut of roles. From the cult Sholay to the classic Abhimaan, the range is unforgettable. Watch this man make his mark once again on ‘Boogie Woogie’s Tapori Special’ on September 1 on Sony Television.
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Film city to sin city
Imagine two flowers kissing each other! Two birds sticking their beaks together! Yes, I know they are the things of the past. But even in the present scenario, the indications are the same but the indicators have changed. This age of film industry is all about showing things that make their USP go high. In today’s world “if you have it, you flaunt it” mantra can add another star to the box office reviews. There has come a drastic change in the making of the films with all kinds of sleazy and sexy productions coming up. In this industry everything is accepted with open arms. Models and actresses have found a clear shortcut to this place by showing their curves, due to which talent has taken a back seat. I personally feel that today voluptuousness is what matters to make it in this industry. It is amazing to see that with such audacity they justify their act. Even the top notch actresses are into this ‘show’ business and to be on a safer side they say it very easily “the story demands it”. No doubt that the society has also gone through a change and our way of looking at it has also changed. People enjoy this sleaze behind closed doors and criticise it publicly to maintain their moral status. But that doesn’t mean that anything can be exhibited which in a way hampers our values and virtues. — Akanksha Ralli
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Nothing can match the magic of that moment…
As your little princess, looking resplendent like a maharani in her shimmering bridals, approaches her prince charming with the varmala, every thing seems like a beautiful dream. After all, this is something you have been dreaming all your life - a fairy tale beginning for your daughter’s is magical journey towards love. Well, your dream of indulging your daughter with a truly princess-like pampering can be now made real. Atleast, Tocado—a newly opened salon in Sector-8, Panchkula made us believe so. Taking a handful of fresh collegiates as models, these were transformed into blushing brides and hip bridegrooms, thanks to cosmetologist Nishu Sachdeva’s magical make-up wand. Beauty and Spa specialist Shallu Gupta and hair designer Sam added aesthetic strokes of make-up to the young faces. The newly opened salon had some bridal joy de verve bubbling up, no less—with all those shimmery attires, flawless make-ups, glowing jewels and yes, fresh happy faces. — TNS
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Health tip of the day
When using a heating pad or hot pack for relief of pain at the back one should never lie on the pad. Instead the pad should be placed on the back while lying face downwards. — Dr. Ravinder Chadha |
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TAROT TALK
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Rare is a house where a small nook has not been converted into an even smaller bathroom; regardless of the fact that this spacious conscious decision usually leads to a spatial headache later on. Let’s explore some ideas that can help you get more from your small space and still make it functional and stylish. 
Discipline has taken a back seat on the college campus across the city. And the disorder is ringing not just in the form of protest against the ban on the use of mobile phones on the campus, but in the attitude of so many students flipping the book of haughtiness, incessantly. 
But then there was something else right here in this city. And then it dawns on me that this is the day that my friend, well-known painter Satwant Singh, retires. The retirement is of course from a government job in the Central Crafts Institute in the city and not art. The region has had many talented artists and writers who have nevertheless had to do jobs for a livelihood. So for an artist as dedicated like Satwant retirement comes as a moment of relief and freedom when he can choose to pursue his art without any distraction.
Childhood friends
While perfection is hard to attain, it seems Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones is one lucky woman who is just ‘perfect’ in the eyes of her hubby Michael Douglas. The veteran star claims that his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones is his ideal woman, as she’s not only very beautiful, but also shares his interests, like golf.
The angrezon ke zaamane ka jailor has lost none of his feistiness and wit despite the play of years over his long and fulsome career in Bollywood spanning more than 35 years. And despite half-a-dozen of his films in various stages of completion, veteran actor Asrani can be seen dabbling in television too. 
ARIES: “Nine Cups” full of light lotus blossoms and greet you as loving relationship flower with commitments. Follow through, do your best and promote whatever you believe in. Important issues come to light on Tuesday; you must address them even though there is a dark underside to them. Lucky Colour: Midnight blue. TIP OF THE WEEK: Don’t be bullied into accepting situations you dislike.
LIBRA: There is a mixed bag of ups and down throughout this week. Do not fall in love on sight. More cautiously on Tuesday. Be careful as you are prone to losing your temper with loved ones. Spending time with your partner is a priority. A Sagittarius is supportive. Enjoy. Lucky colour : Pale yellow. TIP OF THE WEEK: You find within yourself a fountainhead of a will power.
TAURUS: Your card is “Eight of Wands” so friends could get on your nerves. Mixing business with pleasure works well for you. Do not expect too much from your loved ones. Don’t give in to uncertainties as this is a just a temporary phase. You attract prestigious opportunities. Lucky colour: Ebony. TIP OF THE WEEK: Don’t be taken in by false promises.
SCORPIO: “The Moon” takes you through a difficult Karmic situation. Try to overcome limitations and taboos of the past. A Leo or Pisces person need your support. Your love life will be smooth sailing and your partner will appreciate your thoughtfulness. Lucky colour : Deep crimson. TIP OF THE WEEK: Balance and perspective will lead you out of a problematic situation.
GEMINI: “The Lovers” inspire you with love and creativity. Your ideas and thoughts may not meet with the support that you feel they need. A lack of depth and feeling can be lived with a grain of salt. A trip or a distant news is on the cards on Monday. Your past efforts will start to show results now. Lucky colour: Silver grey. TIP OF THE WEEK: Unless you make your desire absolutely clear you risk being misunderstood.
SAGITTARIUS: The “Four of cups” interprets it as having ‘focused energy’ and concentration on a goal. A close friend comes to your aid on Tuesday. You will be very inspired to make some changes to your lifestyle. Don’t make impulsive decisions in personal relationship. Lucky colour: Bottle green. TIP OF THE WEEK: Versatility and a quicksilver mind will bail you out of a situation.
CANCER: “Seven Golden Cups” creates a sense of hope. A someone special will be walking to your life. A journey for business or holiday is likely. Drive carefully and give attention to any odd symptoms of your vehicle on Tuesday. Watch out your diet & fitness routine. Lucky colour: Jade. TIP OF THE WEEK: Take limited risks and don’t jeopardize your long-term capitals.
CAPRICORN: The ‘Queen of Pentacles’ blesses you with the finest of quiet and subtle qualities as you are on a winning streak. Past efforts will lead to new opportunities on the career front. Romantic relationships are enhanced by spending quality time together. Lucky colour: Turquoise TIP OF THE WEEK: Plan your life to avoid the in build delays that comes your way.
LEO: The Leo card in Tarot pack lends you strength. Its best not to have great expectations or you could be disappointed. You can be dreamy and romantic in personal relationships. Actually, it could be the perfect time to make a splash at home. Surprise and unexpected happiness is on the cards. Lucky colour: Sky blue. TIP OF THE WEEK : Try a new off beat style of handling things.
AQUARIUS: This is a time for you to shine! You have extra energy and confidence and will make a strong impression on others. Begin something new, to initiate a relationship or project you may have been considering. A chance to do things a little differently will lead to many more changes. Lucky Colour: Metallic grey. TIP OF THE WEEK: Now is the need to question the value judgment, which have shaping your money aspects.
VIRGO: Life offers you an empty canvas to paint your own picture. On Friday, flirty romance puts you on top of the world. Major accomplishments on short trips on the cards. Travel and communications will not run as smoothly as you had hoped. Focus on yoga, meditation and light exercise. Lucky colour: Scarlet. TIP OF THE WEEK: Unfinished business will unleash new problems.
PISCES: Total love and togetherness as revealed by the ‘Page of Pentacle’ card is the positive start of life together. Setting up home, interior decoration and putting things in order would take up a good part of the week. The secret of success is to listen to your dreams. Lucky colour: Creamy white. TIP OF THE WEEK: You need to take things slowly and listen to your inner voice.