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At Badal do, some If it is a public function, expect the stars to shine and dazzle. At Mohali on Friday, Parkash Singh Badal took oath of office as the helmsman of the Akali-BJP combine, pollination of political colour and star quality was evident. Just see:
Photos by Pradeep Tewari
and Manoj Mahajan
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The great Indian
Think Bollywood music unlimited, stars galore and spiff unrestrained as Star One’s ‘Antaksahri- The great Challenge’ takes a merry hop across the hallowed thoroughfare of television ratings with its three episode Holi special along with its celebrity jodis and as the lights beam, the cameras roll and the action booms out from the megaphone, a quiet, grassy corner of Film City in Mumbai perks up to the buzz of music. In all masti, it starts with rose petals and marigold flowers. The dazzle is mind-boggling and it is one big happy family from where we see it. The production crew, a horde of young twenty-some things and thirty pluses all around in strident amity, briefing and de-briefing, dunking down endless cups of tea and tweaking up audio levels. The studio floor gets a final swipe to rid it of non-existent dust-balls, make-up men give the final touches to the stars on the set, gold patterned stars sit on the floors in the disco lights twirl under the feet of the audience and the show is ready to roll. Right up there sits showman, Annu Kapoor, making a point with as much conviction with producer Gajendra Singh aka Gajji. Annu Kapoor & Juhi Parmar Over to music director Ismail Darbar and his pretty, longhaired, singer wife Ayesha, who quite expected to get the boot in the very first round but ended up qualifying for the next round. A very down to earth Darbar says, “ I am not a good singer at all. My forte lies in composition but we have come this far and it has been a huge surprise,” he smiles. After getting married just two and a half years ago, the couple was thrilled with just the chance to be with each other even if it means brushing up their knowledge in music together. Ayesha, a trained classical singer who sang for Subhash Ghai’s Kisna adds, “ the idea of participating in a game show was big enough a bait for us that even I am here leaving my one and a half year old son at home,” she quips. Vijayta & Aadesh Srivastava The second couple is Aadesh Srivastava and a stunning Vijayta Pandit. Adesh says, “I am completely relying on Vijayata’s sound knowledge of music. Neither have I done any homework, the songs come naturally to me,” claims the singer and actress Vijayta. Jaspinder & Micky Narula Sharing other half of the makeup vehicle is the brother sister duo from Punjab, Jaspinder and Micky Narula accompanied by their mother Mohini Narula. “The best part about the show is we are enjoying to the core,” they claim and are hopeful of winning it.” After winning the best international track for the film Golden Bracelet in foreign film category, the brother sister pair is ready to create excellent compositions in Hollywood’s ‘Vancouver Maafia’.
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Realtime. No static. No hiss. So, you thought you had heard all about the radio revolution. Here’s something new: Digital HD Radio tech. Real-time weather and traffic. WIYY-FM 97.9 (98 Rock) in Baltimore, Maryland, recently made history when it became the 1,000th station in the United States to broadcast with digital HD Radio technology.
“In just over a year, the number
of HD Radio stations on the air has nearly doubled,” said Robert
Struble, president and CEO of iBiquity Digital, developers and licensors of
HD Radio technology. “Equally exciting is the growth in HD2 multicasting and the rapid influx of new HD Radio receivers that expands the range of product categories and price points. From a consumer standpoint, there has never been a better time to experience HD Radio broadcasting.” HD Radio technology transmits digital audio and data alongside existing AM and FM analog signals, allowing listeners with HD Radio receivers to enjoy dramatically improved sound quality, with virtually none of the static or hiss often associated with analog radio. More than 400 FM broadcasters across the U.S. are using HD Radio multicasting capabilities to increase the range of content on the radio. Recent weeks have seen an increase in HD Radio product introductions, including announcements from the following tabletop and home component manufacturers: Cambridge SoundWorks, Directed Electronics, Niles Audio, Sangean and RadioShack (under the Accurian brand); and auto connection adaptors from DICE and Directed Electronics. These products join current offerings from companies such as: Audio Design Associates, Boston Acoustics, JVC, Kenwood and Polk Audio. HD Radio retailers in the U.S. include: Amazon.com, select Circuit City stores, Crutchfield, RadioShack, Tweeter, ABC Warehouse, Harvey’s, HiFi Buys, Ken Cranes, Mickey Schorr, Showcase Home Entertainment and Sound Advice. About iBiquity iBiquity Digital Corporation is the developer of the HD Radio(TM) system, which is powering the AM/FM digital radio revolution. This transformational technology allows AM and FM stations to broadcast digital signals in tandem with their analog signals, providing broadcasters with a platform to offer multiple channels of programming on the same frequency crystal-clear sound; text services like real-time weather and traffic; and scrolling text. HD Radio technology is now being tested in many countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Switzerland, Thailand and the Ukraine. iBiquity’s investors are global leaders in the technology, broadcasting, manufacturing, media and financial
industries.
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hoLI HAI! Kandla Nijhowne
Well well well…its us, the homo sapiens who successfully manage to create the noise this time, and high decibel levels at that! When I was a kid, my dad was a die-hard prankster (he has mellowed now, thank God!) Early on the Holi morning, he would smear shoe polish on our cheeks while we were fast asleep, so our morning visit to the toilet, as we passed the wash basin mirror, left us screaming like the banshees in a Ramsay Brothers horror film! Traditionally the festival sees
great fervour in the kitchen too, with half moon-gujias, crisp paapri, namakpaare and dahi-bade, all under way. Intoxicating drinks and pakodas are rustled up from bhang (marijuana) to give the revelers a great kick! How about trying these for a kick? Meethey Chaawal ½ tsp saffron threads 2 tbsp warm milk 1 ¼ cup, good basmati rice 50 gm ghee 4 whole cardamom seeds A 1 inch stick of cinnamon ¼ tsp each of various food colours 2 ¼ cups water 100-130 gm sugar powder 20 gm blanched, slivered almonds 2 tbsp raisins Method Dry-roast the saffron threads briefly in a heavy pot, cool, crumble, and add to a cup with the milk. Set aside for at least three hours. Wash the rice and allow it to soak for about an hour. Heat the ghee in a heavy vessel and put in the cardamom and cinnamon bits. Stir them for about a second and add the drained rice, tossing around gently to coat the grains with the fragrant ghee. Add the measured water, cover and cook the rice on medium heat until all the water is absorbed. Now add the saffron milk, almond slivers, raisins and sugar, folding in, ever so gently. Allow any accumulated water to dry out before serving out on a wide platter. Once that is done, drizzle the food colouring on to the mound of rice, swirling it about with a chop-stick or a blunt ladle handle. This will ensure that only some grains take on each of the colours, creating a magnificent rainbow of sorts. Silver ‘vark’ can be patted on to the top and you may also reserve some of the dried-fruit for a final garnish. Bhaang ke pakode
100 gm each cauliflower and brinjal 3-4 green chillies 270 gm gram-flour (besan) 25 gm bhaang seed powder 1 tbsp pomegranate seeds (anaardana) Pinch of baking powder Salt, chilli powder and ajwain to taste Oil for frying Method Break the cauliflower into florets and cut the peeled and washed onions, brinjals and potatoes into roundels. Slit the green chillies and de-seed, if you’re scared of heat. Mix together the besan, salt, chilli powder, baking powder, ajwain, anaardana and bhaang seeds. Stir in sufficient water (150-200 ml.) to get a batter consistency. Heat oil to smoking-point and fry the batter-dipped veggies. Ideally, re-fry once, for added crispness. Serve hot, with a chutney of your choice.
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Oriental touch But why Purple Rice? “Purple is the colour of the youth, energetic and full of life. And our aim is to provide Chinese food in a modern ambience. Hence is the name and the décor,” explains Vipul Dua, the 22-year-old owner of the joint. Vibrancy is the key word. For, it is not just the walls that radiate vibrancy but also ‘behind the counter scene’ which is full of it. The sound of chopping and sautéing fresh vegetables as the chefs, under the guidance of chef Bhaskar, prepare your dish in front of you adds to the set up. “You can have a dish of your own choice,” says Vipul. Vegetables are on display and one can pick and choose. “I am a youngster. So I know what youngsters want,” Vipul sounds confident. But then he has a reason to be. Armed with a diploma in hotel management, Vipul has gathered experiences from Radisson, London and Hyatt Regency in Delhi. Though authentic Chinese and Thai food is the mantra here, Vipul has done his bits to appease the Punjabi taste buds. His chilly paneer comes with the terminology Chinjabi. Besides the exotic names like vegetable gyoza, Pok Choy with black mushroom oyster sauce, sliced fish with black bean sauce, there are familiar names like chilly chicken. “But our chilly chicken or chilly paneer sans the Punjabi touch,” he is quick to add. We take his words and ready to take leave. But not before we are made to taste his Purple Rice noodle soup, a Thai specialty. “The soup we are serving here is what you get in Hong Kong.” Well, that’s again a debatable matter, but one can say with authority that the clear shrimp soup with vegetable and garlic seasoning sure is tantalising! |
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The grass is greener here Awestruck is the word to describe the team’s reaction when they saw the Mohali stadium for the first time. Talking to Lifestyle, medium pacer Davey says, “Besides this, attending clinic to hone our skills is just the icing on the cake. The association’s coaches, along with ours, have been working together to improve our game. We will definitely learn new things during the clinic”. For most of the team members, this was not the maiden visit to the country. “Most of us had visited the country last year to play in Mumbai. The visit proved to be the biggest learning experience for us. So we hope that we will be benefited this time too as facing spin bowling on Indian pitches is altogether a different experience,” says Davey. Echoing the views of the captain, the coach Roland Lafebvre said, “The trip will provide the team a unique exposure and experience besides improving their playing abilities. The game is not very popular in Holland and we have around 5000 cricketers in our country.” According to Ronald there is no institute to teach cricket there. But they do have domestic cricket for youth and senior teams. Roland was a member of the Holland World Cup team four years at South Africa before and was main bowler. Apart from cricket, visiting the famous places of the city is also high on the agenda of the team. “I will go to see the open-hand monument,” says Davey. The team has also been relishing the spicy Indian dishes. “We love India, Indians and Indian food,” said the team members.
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Health potion Anuradha Shukla
Nothing defines the Indian mornings better than the early morning cup of tea. The wonders of this leafy delight are plenty but if the debate on caffeine is getting to you join the herbal tea brigade. For any health freak there can be nothing better than a cup of tea to start the day with. Tea mixed with the goodness of herbs may remind you of the days you were down with a cold and your mother would give you the magic potion of a tulsi and ginger mixed tea. But now you can take your pick from a number of such teas. Ask Rima Singh, herbal tea fan, as she takes her pick at Sector 9 market and says, “An exotic mix of these magical herbs reminds me of my childhood.” Fabindia in Sector 9 offers its range of organic herbal tea in a variety of flavours. It offers mix of leaves of tea and herbs, tea masala and processed powder tea all from the places like Darjeeling, says Puneet as she gives a low down on the varieties of tea. “The tulsi green tea is the mix of largely tulsi leaves and also has stress relieving as well as slimming properties. Tulsi ginger tea on the other hand has the warming and soothing effect,” she says. “The tea from Makaibari and Sycotta tea gardens of Darjeeling comes in both green and black variety and is popular with the young student crowd here,” she says. Besides being no caffeine free, such teas like the tulsi ginger variety is anti-oxidant too. For Rishi Raj, a banker, says, “Talking to friends over a cup of exotic and healthy herbal tea has become our new pastime and some of my friends got hooked to it after tasting it at my house.” Swearing by the refreshing feeling a cup of good herbal tea brings, Shruti Verma says her day is not complete without a few cups of health drinks. “The fact that herbal tea is so tasty and also free of caffeine. So one can have it without the carrying the guilt feeling,” says Prashant Singh. For more regular tea drinker, the tulsi chai masala is their pick as it is flavoured with tulsi and for the puritan herbal tea drinkers’ leaves of basil in tulsi green tea is the one.
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Caffeine cover for old hearts
“The protection against death from heart disease in the elderly afforded by caffeine is likely due to caffeine’s enhancement of blood pressure,” the researchers said in the report published in the American Journal of Nutrition in its February 2007 issue. The protective effect was also found to be dose-responsive: the higher the caffeine intake the stronger the protection. The protective effect was found only in participants who were not severely hypertensive. No significant protective effect was found in patients below the age of 65, the researchers said. No protective effect was found against cerebrovascular disease mortality - death from stroke - regardless of age.
— IANS
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Happiness a state of mind? In today’s e-age, it is just a click away! Online
happiness clubs are offering tailor-made programmes like happy classes to self-help books to special accessories that can help boost careers and love lives and if one were to believe them, cyber addicts are enrolling for online happiness programmes in large numbers. One of the clubs claims to have 59,095 members and geographical boundaries don’t matter. “Finding true happiness is a very personal journey. The Happy Class, provided in nine easy lessons direct to your inbox, guides you to discover the habits you can adopt today to increase joy and reduce stress. The Get Happy Workbook to help create a personal action plan for happiness based on one’s strengths and weaknesses,” says David Leonhardt of an online club. Being Happy is a skill which one can learn, says Lionel Ketchian of another club. An online PhD certified happiness test is also available which gauges the happiness index of a person. Another club offers a Daily Dose of Happiness which it claims “motivates you, inspires you, and elevates your spirits each day. This popular, short and free ezine gives you a happy quote, a self-actualisation thought or a practical tip on how to be happy (or happier) in your e-mail inbox every day. One day it might be about boosting self-esteem, another day about reducing stress. Still another might be about gratitude or meditation or positive thinking.” However noted psychiatrist Dr Samir Parikh says, “Online happiness clubs should not be seen as a clinical cure for depression and related illnesses. But for a large number of people the online clubs and blogs act as support groups where they share a common platform and discuss their problems. In such limited cases, it can be of some help rather than for treating depression.” Meanwhile, a number of online happiness stores are offering books, CDs, posters, which they claim contain “practical guidelines which a person can follow for leading a happy and successful life”. They can be ordered online and are available for a price. A number of blogs too have come up which claim to offer “insightful” write-ups on how to be happy and also offer discussion forums for those feeling “low”. There is even a map available online which tracks world happiness - people in which all cities are happier. However, Dr Parikh maintains, “Happiness is a state of mind, and a person who can cope with the pressures of life and do a balancing act, can sufficiently remain happy.”
— PTI
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Sameer who just celebrated his 49th birthday gets talking about his struggle, career and achievements he said, “I was a poet, lyricist in the making. I had come to Mumbai to make it big. I knew all about the struggle of my father Anjaan. But my obsession overcame all obstacles. I was not going to give up. I got a break with Bhojpuri films and was a big success. Later on I wrote all the songs for Pankaj Prashar directed film Ab Aayega Maza and with music by debutant composers Anand-Milind. It took little time to establish myself as a lyricist.” But it is not only his work ethic, which explains Sameer’s sustained success for most of his 25 years innings as a writer in the Hindi film industry. There are other secrets to his success as well, “I approach every song with the nervousness and fear that I won’t be able to deliver,” he says. “Aur yahi darr mujhe shakti deta hai...!” From old hits like ‘Nazar ke saamne jigar ke paas, Dekha hai pehli baar,” Mujhe neend na aaye, Pardesi pardesi jaana nahi, Ankhiyon se goli maare, dhak dhak dil karne laga, to his latest hits Cazy kiya re... from superhit Dhoom 2, Sameer is like a music machine, churning out melody after melody captivating the young at heart and hitting bulls eye as far as audience tastes are concerned.
— Dharam Pal
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Nudist little bird
Katie won’t pose solo Katie Holmes doesn’t do much on her own these days when hubby Tom Cruise is around, and that includes posing for solo photographs. Photographers had a hard time getting a solo picture of the Batman star at the post-Oscar parties, for she refused to oblige photographers unless hubby Tom Cruise was by her side. According to a source, the actress would not leave her husband’s side at the post-Oscar bash at Hollywood’s Morton’s restaurant on Sunday, Feb 25. It was only when the couple attended the posh affair thrown by Vanity Fair, that she posed for solo photographs, and that too when egged on by her superstar hubby. Happy housewife Actress Gwyneth Paltrow has claimed that her past three years as a housewife have perhaps been the best days of her life. Speaking on the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Academy award-winning actress said she had enjoyed being there for her family at every moment they needed her, something that would have not been possible if she had been working on a new project.
“It’s 24 hours a day, seven days a week and they want you present and real and connected and there, but it’s been the best three years of my life However, the 34-year-old added that she is looking forward to get back to acting, for she has been inactive as an actress for a while now. “I’m really looking forward to it as an artist and as somebody who that part of me has been dormant for a long time,” she added. Unpaid nun? No way
Hollywood star Eva Mendes has revealed that as a child she really wanted to pledge her commitment to God and wanted to be a nun when she grew up. However, the 2 Fast 2 Furious star said she gave up the dream, when her sister informed her that nuns aren’t paid for their services.
— ANI
Pop diva Mariah Carey is in no hurry to embark upon motherhood, for she wants a family with the right man. “What I want is to have children in a good way, with the right husband, with the right family life,” she said. Asked if that means she’d only have children if she were married, “I think so,” she says. “But who knows? Five years from now I might get hysterical and say, ‘I have to have kids!’ But I don’t think so.” The 37-year-old singer reflected on her ill-fated marriage to Tommy Mottola. “If I could go back again, I wouldn’t do it,” she said.
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Bleach the years away
Nature’s Essence has come up with Oxyfair- Oxygen Bleach that promises enhanced bleaching action and also helps renew skin texture rendering it softer, smoother, and firmer. Oxygenating agents present in it revitalise the skin and give it a refreshed, fairer and healthier look. Available in 50 gm and 250 gm packing at Rs 58 and Rs 225 respectively. Travel right Pack your bags right this time with Jansport’s all new range of travel bags. Whether you are traveling the world or having a weekend getaway, the Jansport Travel Bag will be the ideal companion for all your sojourns! The all-new Jansport Travel Bag range features a multitude of benefits that provide the ultimate comfort in style, quality and stability. Exclusively designed keeping in mind extreme conditions, the Jansport travel bags are every adventure travel enthusiasts dream come true. With its useful extra compartments and special features Jansport travel bags will ensure that your travel clothes and sports gear are well protected. If you are packing heavy gear, you can opt for the Jansport bag on wheels, for convenience at traveling. So get ready to embark on a journey to discover new looks, individualistic styles and a whole new range with Jansport’s all new travel collection. Simplify life O2 launches its latest mobile device, the Xda Zinc combining the latest communications technology with some serious processing power to run all work and lifestyle applications. World Cup with cola With the World Cup fever set to spiral, Pepsi launches a new gold coloured cola to commemorate cricket’s premier event – ICC World Cup 2007. Pepsi Gold is a premium cola that combines the taste of Pepsi with a lemon top note. Fly Killers If you always thought there’s nothing more to a fly killer than a box emitting bluish light, think again. Godrej HiCARE, introduces a range of state of the art flying insect control products. Godrej HiCARE’s Fly Killers have been designed to overcome all these problems. The machines are designed and manufactured by Riwa Ltd., U.K. – world leaders in flying insect control products. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, these machines far surpass competition when it comes to catching flies. They work on Synergetic Technology that gives significantly better attraction power as compared to ordinary fly killers. Three models being launched are Uplighter, completely silent it can easily pass off as a decorative lamp. Orange pulp Coca-Cola launches its internationally successful Minute Maid Pulpy Orange avatar, is a naturally refreshing juice drink, offering an unmatched taste with real Orange Pulp. Available in two PET pack sizes- on-the-go 400 ml and 1 litre bottle, priced at Rs 25 and Rs 60 respectively and targets young adults. Fresh AIR Rs 21,000, available at Godrej Lifespace,
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The God of Indian Entertainment Industry, Amitabh Bachchan, participated in a special episode of Titan Antakshri for the visually challenged participants. Big B enthralled the children and audiences reciting a poem “Main Prakash Hoon, ajar amar andhakar ek nirav gunjan” by Khalid Hashmi and his baritone voice held the audiences spell bound. Later two visually challenged girls Mansi and Mamta, from Smt. Kamla Mehta Dadar School for the Blind presented a letter written by them for ‘Amitabh Uncle’. The letter had a very special message for Bachchan and his ailing mother. While leaving, Bachchan extended his best wishes and cheered the participants of Muncherjee Nowrowjee Banajee Industrial Home for the Blind and became a moral support for them. The show will be telecast on March 31, 2007 at 8:30 pm.
— TNS
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Health tip of the day
Depending excessively on diet restriction for weight reduction makes one too tired to take up an exercise program as the body starts burning muscle mass in addition to fat to compensate for lack of nutrition. Hence a balanced mix of diet restriction and exercise is a perfect way to lose weight. —
Dr Ravinder Chadha |
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The torchbearers of the show are Annu Kapoor and Juhi Parmar. While Annu Kapoor says, “Encyclopaedias like me are many but the trick lies in how to execute those music thoughts in accordance with the given situation and put them into words.” But the vivacious and chirpy Juhi Parmar has no qualms in admitting the show has lend her an all time new high. A twenty something Juhi admits, “Unlike my characters in daily soaps, for the first time I am getting to play me. I follow my instincts to react and act while doing the show.”
We have two colourful and noisy Hindustaani festivals – Diwali and Holi. Divali has the rangolis, lanterns, painted diyas and traditional finery lending a riot of colour to the occasion. The ear deafening-noise, needless to say, is provided by those blasted crackers and bombs. Holi itself is the festival of colours (why am I telling you this?), but where is the so called noise I’ve talked about?
150 gm each, onion and potato
The owner’s description comes as a little confusing — 20 per cent more than a café and 20 per cent less than fine dining.
As you step inside Purple Rice, the vibrant décor proves to be is a bit too absorbing for one to get into mathematical complexities. Silver coloured wallpaper with a liberal amount of purple in the ceilings and also in form of paintings is well co-ordinated to sooth one’s aesthetic sense.
There are other frills too. Like a shelf full of books that include Linda Goodman’s love signs, books on Hollywood and Bollywood and Thai and Chinese cuisines.
Guess what is exciting the visiting junior Holland cricket team the most? The grassy pitch of our world-class stadium! What follows next is the warm hospitality of the Punjab Cricket Association officials.
Back in their country, they don’t have grassy pitches but artificial ones. “When we were told that we would play matches at the stadium, we could not help but mutter ‘wow’. It is a privilege to play here, where the Champions Trophy was held last year,” says Graeme Davey, the skipper of the team. 
Elderly people who consume caffeinated beverages regularly could be doing their heart a good turn. New research suggests that the higher the caffeine intake, the stronger the protection.
John Kassotis and other researchers at SUNY Downstate Medical Centre and Brooklyn College in the US used data from the first federal National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study. They found that survey participants 65 or more years old with higher caffeinated beverage intake exhibited lower relative risk of coronary vascular disease and heart mortality than did participants with lower caffeinated beverage intake, reported the health portal Science. 
Sameer’s words of melody have kept the Indian youth under a magic spell for the past 25 years. This makes identifying his best songs a challenge. If Sameer’s lyrics do not hit your emotional solar plexus, it keeps you till sometimes after week or even months, the latent meaning strikes you like a thunderbolt.
Bubbly actress Drew Barrymore has called herself a ‘nudist little bird’, who will enter old age with her liberal attitude towards sex intact.
The 31- year-old star has compared herself to a nymph in a wood, when it comes to her sexual activities.
The Charlie’s Angels star, who split with Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti recently, said that she wouldn’t be clad in polyester trousers when she gets old, and that she would resort to trendy brands of clothes and footwear. Barrymore also joked that she hopes that she would have enough hair for plaiting them.
Mariah in no hurry