CHANDIGARH INDEX




God of Abstract things

Purva Grover catches up with three collectors who are redefining passion-packed hobbies. Read on...

As a child, we were all gifted a stamp album at one time or the other and that would lead to a long wait for an airmail from relatives abroad. Next, with perfection the stamp was scrapped off the envelope and pasted in the album. And, if it was not the stamp bug that had bitten one, then there are chances that one had grown up admiring the huge coin collection of their grandfather. Remember, the diamond shaped five paise coin or the miniscule ten paise coins. Well, this was till a few decades back when the collector’s passion was limited to coins or stamps. Talk of today, where passion knows no boundaries — from freebies to high-priced perfumes to distinctive notes; the city collectors are doing it all.

Vishav and Vishal Gupta

Vishav & Vishal Gupta
Vishav & Vishal Gupta — Photo by Pradeep Tewari

An employee of U.P. Handlooms, Vishav (43) recalls that way back in 1983 he had gone to purchase a tonic for his daughter and came back home with a free lunch box. And so began his passion for collecting freebies. Soon, he roped in his younger brother Vishal (42). An employee at Mahindra and Mahindra, Vishal chalks down the monthly ration list for the household. Interestingly in the list, the free gifts occupy a place above the product. “Be it tea, soap or the toothpaste we use, the brand changes every month with respect to the free gifts,” he smiles. Now, that’s a lesson for the marketing strategists!

And if you thought that their passion is limited to the city, then you are mistaken. When out on vacation, their entire family is always on the lookout for gifts. Says Vishav, “The gifts on offer vary in each city, and so on our trip to Mumbai last year we got a bagful of gifts ”.

The huge collection of 57,432 gifts includes gifts varying from a needle to a cycle. Well, though tax-free gifts, the Guptas share the monetary value is Rs 4 lakh! The hobby got them a place in the Limca Book of Records in 1992 first when they had a collection of 5,000 gifts.

“We ask the shopkeeper to place the freebies on the counter and choose the product on the basis of the free gifts,” they say. Now, that is what we call shopping in style!

Narinder Pal Singh

A manager at the Punjab State Government Bank, Narinder Pal Singh (52) spends his entire day sifting through wads of notes. Well, while Pal keeps an eagle eye on his work, he also manages to pursue his hobby alongside. Obsessed with the Islamic religious number 786, his passion for the number dates back 17 years when he spotted an article in the daily paper about a coin collector. Inspired by the collector, he decided to strive to enter the records list and as they say, the rest is history.

Pal has secured a place in the Limca Book of Records from 2001 till date for his collection of notes with their numbers ending in 786. Not content with the same, he wishes to see his name in the Guinness Book of World Records.

With 13,170 notes in his collection today, he shares, “It was the scared aspect of the number that fascinated me and I got hooked on.” While, many Muslims request him to part with the currency and even offer to procure it from him in black, he prefers to keep his collection — amounting to Rs 7,23,535 — safe in a bank locker. Now that’s what we call nuts about notes!

Besides his collection of note numbers ending in 786, he also boasts of a completed series from 000001–9. While, his colleagues laughed at him way back in 1990, today they assist him in the venture. “I collect around 10 to 100 such notes every month,” he tells.

Sending across a friendly message to both the Hindu and Muslim communities in his own little way, Pal shares with pride that his mobile number, bond number and even his bank account end up in the lucky number!

Kanwar Ravi Inder Brar

If one was to look out for a person who pursues his passion with élan, then Kanwar Ravi Inder Brar is the name that pops up. Brar’s grandfather was the Maharaja of Faridkot and not surprising that Brar’s hobby bespeaks royalty and luxury.

A passionate collector of perfumes, Brar (29) says that as a child it aromatic whiffs would bring a smile on his face. He reminisces how he would rush to his father’s cupboard when he left home and treat himself to his colognes.

Well, when this young politician — Brar is general secretary of Punjab Youth Congress — started to earn, he confesses, “I would always buy perfumes as gifts for my parents.”

When on a shopping spree, undoubtedly it is the whiff that draws him to the store. Brar, who at times has even purchased three perfumes in a go, says, “If the aroma appeals to me, then price is never a consideration.”

Fifty-eight perfumes and colognes find a place in his prized collection that began around five years back. With names like Burberry to Joop, he lists his favourite — Desire by Dunhill. Also, on the shelf is his most recent purchase, Clinque’s Happy, a soft scent, Brar, however, loves the stronger ones too. The most expensive in the collection till date is the Giovanni, which he purchased for Rs 5,000.

Scoring with taste!
Gayatri Rajwade

If it is the high dose of World Cup that you are living on these days, then a visit to the city’s new resto-bar, Score, will indeed be an icing on the cake.

With their mantra of ‘Keep scoring’, the resto-bar at Sector 8 is out to prove that they are “different”. Interactive lasers spewing out psychedelic lights, giant screens dotting the arena and pulsating music make up an interesting ambience but it is the unusual sporty theme that sets them apart; and also gels well with the ongoing cricket fever.

But it will not be just cricket assure the couple Pankaj and Anupama Bhardwaj, who own the place. For lawyer turned entrepreneur Pankaj, the project was a challenge and also a chance to work with wife. “Our screens will play sports all the time be it a golf tournament, soccer matches or any other event taking place around the world,” explains Pankaj. Apart from that the walls too are adorned with miniature bats signed by the current Indian cricket team, video diaries featuring the cricketers, memorabilia in the form of signed balls, t-shirts et al.

The menu running into 40 pages is a blend of sinful calorie packed dishes as well dishes for the health freaks. Not surprising the menu coming from Anupama, a nutritionist, offers well-calculated nutritionally balanced meals.

A special attraction at the resto-bar is their tie-up with the Indian cricket team and the couple promises to bring in the entire Indian team after the World Cup down here, and we hope with the trophy!





Class apart
The 37th Bhaskar Rao Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan gets underway today
S. D. Sharma

Since its inception in 1956, the Pracheen Kala Kendra has undeniably emerged as ‘the centre’ for performing arts, especially of classical music genre. Besides, teaching Indian classical arts through its 3,500 accredited centres in India and abroad the Kendra holds annually the Bhaskar Rao Sangeet Sammelan, a mega treat to art aficionados.

The 37th Sammelan to be held on March 24 and 25 is significant being a part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the Kendra and also the presentation ceremony of third Koser awards-2007 slated for March 23 at the auditorium of the Government Polytechnic for Women, Sector 10, here.

The Koser award -2007 carrying a citation, memento, shawl and a sum of Rs 1 lakh, will be shared by Kolkatta-based Sarod legend, Pandit Budhadev Dasgupta and Bharatnatyam danseuse, Dr Saraswati from Chennai. An engineer by profession, Budhadev had performed in Festivals of India in USA, Russia and all European counties. Dr Saraswati is a doctorate in economics from American West University, a journalist, author and the great Bharatnatyam maestro.  

Budhdev Gupta will give a Sarod recital while Kalaimani Priya Priya, daughter of Dr Saraswati will light up the ceremony with her exquisite dance spells.

The sammelan will present Padma Vibushan M. Bala Murali Krishna presenting vocal recital on March 24. Reigning supreme on the south Indian musical scene for the past six decades, Krishna with a D. Litt. is a versatile violinist, veena and mridangam player and has 400 classical music compositions and 10 new ragas to his credit.

Celebrated violinist M. Narmadha grasped the finer nuances of violin and Carnatic vocal from her parents and gurus M.S. Gopalakrishnan and Meenakshi G. while her training in Hindustani music under Padmabhushan Debu Choudhry got her a doctorate in 1966 and embellished her aesthetic potential. Her music concerts the world over, especially for SPIC-MACAY, were widely appreciated. Her violin recital concludes the day’s programme.

Sitar virtuoso Manu Kumar Seen and Tabla maestro Avirbhav Verma will open up the concluding day concert before Mumbai-based vocalist Padmabhushan Prabha Atrre takes the centre stage. Representing Kirana gharana, she is highly decorated artiste and strong proponent of Guru-Shishya tradition. With a rare blend of skill and insight, Prabha Atrre, has displayed constant innovation and creative endeavor, which distinguished her from contemporary vocalists. A prolific author, performer and musicologist, she has 450 compositions to her credit.

The festival will conclude with a Bharatnatyam performance by danseuse Vasundhara Doraiswamy from Mysore. A versatile choreographer, Vasundhara is known for the purity of the Pandanallur school, of which she is the torch-bearer. Her choreographic venture on diverse subjects like Saam Veda, Yoga and martial arts are a rare treatise.

All music lovers are welcome at the Sammelan at 7 pm.

Taal se taal mila
Gautam and Debashish Dhar are united in their love for rhythm

“Rhythm in music is nothing but a uniform progression from one note to another and articulates the meter of the performer’s melody or to add variety to it,” says Gautam Dhar, elder brother of Debashish Dhar, well-known tabla exponents.

He says laya and taal are the most essential elements without which the music or dance will be just prosaic and adds that taal came first and music followed later.

Born and educated in Assam, Gautam was initiated into the realm of music, especially tabla by his sister Ratna, who is also a singer, while Debashish was a late starter. His mentor was Shashi Banerjee. They were groomed by late Pawan Kumar Verma of Punjab gharana for a long time.

Their being in sync with each other while executing complex rhythmic patterns in jugalbandi won many a heart in Thailand, Singapore, Malayisa, Bangla-desh, Muritius and England.

With multiple improvisations of taal and compositions, the tabla is the king of percussion instruments, says the brothers, referring to western beat patterns and their instruments. The quality, intensity, pitch of the sound and time intervals are of paramount importance in the Indian classical taal system. But the glamour and power of money is luring many classical percussionists to opt for light or folk music, says Gautam who had played for over 700 recordings of folk albums. — S. D. S

Rap on society
Their music has the power to sponge social evils
Saurabh Malik

Rhythmic notes flowing out of their guitars create more than just melodies. They produce ripples that wash away ‘ineffective governments’ to bring about a sea-change in the administrative setup for some ‘good’ to gush in.

In fact, as Franco-Senegalsese group DAARA J played on the stage during Senegal’s 2000 presidential elections, a constant stream of voters rushed through the streets for exercising their franchise. Hip-hop campaigning, they describe it.

“Our songs asked the voters to come out to throw a regime that had practically done nothing for the people for over 30 years. And in the end, they were able wipe away the traces of an ‘unclean’ regime,” they assert in unison.

In Chandigarh for a rap and hip-hop concert organised Thursday evening by the Alliance Francaise de Chandigarh, the French Embassy in India and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, the three-member group says: music has the power to sponge down the ills.

No wonder, they pour out words that act as a positive force for bringing to the foreground the ‘pitfalls of globalisation, the perils of a traditional society, the dangers to the environment and the benefits of a spiritual existence’.

“Through our songs, we try to make people realise. You see Africa has seen tough times. Even now, a child of nine becomes the man of the house and goes out to earn bread by working in the mines. And in the process, he does not even realise that he stands the danger of losing a limb,” says Faada Freddy.

In a voice chocked with emotions, another group member Alaji Man adds: “Even now colonisation is going on, but in a new form. You have big companies launching operations in Africa. They have the supremacy of wealth and some of them do not even think twice before using corrupt means, or in exploiting the natural resources and grinding the people.”

Third member N’ Dongo adds: “We are as such drawing the attention of the world to Africa and asking them to lend a helping hand to the nation so that it can rise again from the ashes of a dark past. To begin with, we are requesting the world to waive off the debt, reducing the pressure on the country.

Just in case you do not know, the trio came together in the 90s. They, along with French DJ Sonny Sorenson, blend multiple components of African music with that of French or American rap.
saurabhmalik@tribunemail.com

Women on Wheels

Women rallyists of the city are zipping past the kitchens on to the racing track, says Saurabh Malik

Anita Budhiraja
Anita Budhiraja — Photo by Pradeep Tewari

Selme Singh
Selme Singh — Photo by Vicky Gharu

With hands dirty in the grease and their mean machines crossing hurdles, a handful of women from the city have taken up the challenge to drive in the male domain of car rallying. Cutting along sharp curves, these women have grown up on a dose of re-runs of Biker Boyz and The Fast and the Furious and it is taking over the wheel that sends their adrenalin rushing.

Sporting chic helmets, just one look at our very own Dhoom women is enough to know that they have arrived and are making the Bhaiji’s from the boom towns of Punjab nervous. Vrooming their multi cylinder flying machines, the city dames are making their presence felt on the male dominated tracks.

Driven by passion these women rallyists though still few in numbers soon plan to overtake the men in the adventure sport. And, not surprising with gasoline pumping in their veins, twenty-seven of them have already carved their name in the history of adventure sports. Participants at the recently concluded ‘SantaBanta.com Women’s Car Rally’ organised by Himalayan Motor Sports, they maneuvered the turns and twists with ease and perfection. (Himalayan Motor Sports is a professional motor sports organisation and has to its credit eight successful runs of the Raid-De-Himalaya)

With the first prize at the rally in her kitty, Poonam Gupta a doctor by profession who drove past the Kalka-Shimla Highway feels that times are surely changing now. Sharing similar opinion is Selme Singh the second position winner, “Gone are the days when women on wheels would draw steering glances”. She feels that women have now managed to scrap away the said norms that cars are meant just for men and the scooties and kinetics for women. “A women with a driving license is no longer a rarity”, smiles Selme. With an experience of over a decade today, this 34-year-old housewife owes her romance with the wheel to her mother who readily handed her the keys.

As Selme’s dexterous fingers take over the gear of her Scorpio, her movements exude confidence and we know that she can take care of the growling engine. With ease she reduces the pressure on the clutch pedal and dashes ahead.

Next on the track in the third position is Anita Budhiraja, an IT professional, this 37-year-old who has been a part of a few rallies organised by Maruti echoes the views of her fraternity, “While professional independence has equipped the women with financial security it has also boosted them to sit with ease behind the wheel”. “Women these days drive to work on their own and no longer depend on anybody to drive them for the daily chores”, she adds.

And for all those men who still feel that women need to take their driving lessons under your guidance, the three-some have a message, “Women have been driving all along, earlier it was the house and now the wheel”, they vroom off.

Garden man
Amarjeet Singh’s Bhatth’s guide for the home gardener makes things easy for amateurs
Parbina Rashid

It is difficult to say which took precedence of what—his love for shooting them or planting them. But what goes without saying is that Amarjeet Singh Batth’s life revolves around flowers. And his book called Indian Garden Flowers: Home Gardener’s Guide is just a symbol of his love.

A five-year short service in the Army did not rob this Botany graduate of his softer side. Wherever he went, he made sure that he collects a sample here and there to add colour to his life. Since he service life did not allow him to collect them permanently, he tried to build up a memory bank by clicking them with his camera. It was only the beginning.

“When I moved into Ludhiana permanently about nine years ago, I worked towards a proper garden. But problem occurred as there were a communication gap between me and the maali, he will ask me to get a particular variety of flower for the garden and I will get something else as I did not know the local name of it,” says Amarjeet, recalling his early days of gardening.

But he found a solution to it. He started collecting the photos of different species of flowers and a few facts like botanical name, types of soil it grows in, temperature and botanical history for his future use. To start with Amarjeet did it for himself, but as his friends started borrowing his notes, the idea to compile his research findings into a book came to his mind.

“The book is a blend of scientific data of each species with personal experience,” says Amarjeet. He had an alley in this endeavour, Prof. Ajay Pal Singh Gill, who retired from the Department of Floriculture, PAU, Ludhiana, to help with identification and documentation.

Though Amarjeet’s book is bound by strict scientific parameters, one need not have to have a degree in Botany to understand it. The author has simplified the scientific terminology with local names to help you chose the right flower for your garden season wise. His tips on how to design a garden comes from his own experience, complete with pest and disease control measures. There is a monthly garden reckoner to remind you the things that needs to be taken care of. If one ones to go one step ahead and try out his or her hands at flower arrangements, this books come handy with diagrams and all.

After going through his book, lit up with oh-so-real pictures (the author clicked himself) and meticulous charts and diagrams, gardening does seem a joyful affair.
parbina@tribunemail.com 

Smiling all the way to tellydom

Remember the amiable bhabi of Shahid Kapoor in the recently released flick Vivah by Sooraj.R.Barjatya. A charming smile and a pure reflection of Indian values, it was her friendly well-balanced appearance in the movie that brought Lataa Sabharwal the much awaited recognition. Lifestyle catches up with the actress who has her hands full with offers now.

Kick starting her acting career with serials like Aarzoo Hai Tu and Woh Rehne Wali Mehlon Ki that is presently on air on Sahara One, Lataa shares that though acting is her first love she loves to shake her belly too. “I am not a professional dancer but I love to dance”, she smiles. Astrology is one of her other interests that excite her.

Keeping her busy at present is her role in Ajay Sinha’s acclaimed soap ‘Ghar Ek Sapna’. Playing the role of Cynthia in the serial, Lataa dons the character of a strong and independent woman. A catholic nurse she falls in love with Dr. Rishabh played by Harsh Chhaya. After the two get secretly married, the story graduates to a level where she has a 5-year-old son and Cynthia is shown as a simple and patient person.

On her joining Ajai Sinha she tells that her association with Sinha goes back to the days of the serial ‘Astitva’, however things started moving only when Sinha called her for the auditions of ‘Ghar Ek Sapna’. And, rest as they say is history.

Shooting for the serial since December last year, Lataa feels that her stint with the veterans in the tellydom is helping her both learn and improve. “ At one time when I was facing a difficulty in delivering certain dialogues that were crucial to the scene, both Harsh and Ajay helped me overcome my nervousness,’’ she reminisces.

Lataa swears by the fact that ‘’Ghar Ek Sapna’’ is real, unlike other shows on air. She says, “The viewers will find it easy to relate themselves to the story”. “Even the grey characters are not overdone and are justified the way it actually happens in our lives”, she adds. “Keep watching the show as with the progress in the storyline the show gets closer to reality,’’ she tells. — Dharam Pal

A hint of Purav aur Paschim

Director: Vipul Amrutlal Shah
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Upen Patel, Rishi Kapoor and Javed Sheikh.

After serious flicks like Aankhen and Waqt, Vipul Amrutlal Shah has now come up with a melodramatic love story which kick starts in the lush fields of Punjab and then moves across to London. A Rs 30-crore venture, Namaste London, stars Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles.

It is said that the movie owes its inspiration to Manoj Kumar’s Purab Aur Paschim and the buzz is that this Indian melo-drama is based on the cross-culture conflicts. A blend of romance and comedy, the film is likely to make an impact at the box-office. Himesh Reshammiya has teamed up with Javed Akhtar to give the music a Sufi touch that gels along with the pulsating disco beats.

With its tagline: “A British brat meets a ‘Punjabi’ boy”, it has surely caught the attention of the movie buffs from this region.

Showing at Batra, Chandigarh, Fun Republic, Manimajra, and Suraj, Panchkula. — Dharam Pal

Fortis for patients

It is oft said that more than the medicines it is the healing touch of the doctor that helps the patients recover fast. Working on the principle is The Friends of Fortis Programme that allows the doctors to interact with patients who have recently undergone medical treatment.

One such evening to remember was when 60 former patients of Dr Arvind Sahni, head, gastroenterology department, Fortis Hospital, Mohali gathered at the Lake Club. An informal platform for the ex-patients to communicate their doubts and problems to their doctors and get the benefit of sound medical opinion, the ongoing programme run by the hospital is a huge success. Says Ashish Bhatia, COO, Fortis, “We want to make our patients feel a part of the Fortis family and would like to take care of them even after they are discharged” Sahni gave an insight to the patients into the causes and prevention of Hepatitis. — TNS

youth speak
Friend’s the word
Raznee Deewan

Today the relationship between students and teacher is like friends. Students are free to interact with teachers in a manner that transcends the traditional teacher-student boundary. This, of course, comes from the effort, focus, and sincerity you put into your relationship with teachers. Students are getting more and more opportunity to explore new ideas and have greater awareness on subjects like language, culture and lifestyle.

A teacher both accepts a student as an individual and agrees to take the responsibility for his spiritual well-being. Sometimes this initiation process also include teaching of other worldly wisdom or meditation techniques.

It has been established that no one should intervene in the relationship between a teacher and a student in the classroom. The productivity of this relationship depends on the exemplary behaviour and wisdom of the teachers, which pave a path for mutual respect, confidence and interest.

Teachers should be respected as distinguished experts who develop the intelligence of new generations, develop their individuality and ensure that students acquire both knowledge and skills. In short, shape society according to the new conditions.

SIDELANES
Forces are a reflection  of our society
Joyshree Lobo

The Defence Forces are under the microscope once again. Each verbal command, tweak of the “P” cap, salute and march step is being scrutinised for secret deals, covert codes and sneaky signals. There are bugs in hobnailed boots, microphones in flak jackets and spy worms in special rations. Generals are writing books to take pot shots at rivals, absolve themselves and hit the headlines. Lowly, arm and legless majors and colonels (please don’t mention other ranks- they don’t count!) are made to do front and back rolls for telling the truth and if they survive, the media gives them a five minute spot in front of the cameras. The ever-excited public laps up this orchestration and waits for more.

Forgotten in all this frenzy is the fact that the men and women of our elite forces are from the same source — the teeming, ever procreating, jobless millions in India.

The ultimate goal for anyone joining the forces is to become an officer. This requires education, a clean bill of health and height, and average intelligence. If you happen to go to a government school, you have to pay hefty sums for private coaching classes to be able to get through the interview. The local municipal school never prepared you for this. Or you can join as a jawan and crawl up the ladder, which also has an unwritten code of bootlicking right to the top. If you reach the Olympian heights through this circuitous route, you have learnt that money, **** licking and “yes-sir-ism” spell success. You are one of us. Welcome to the parental world. We have given you these values for the future.

Getting through the interview means bribing the medical assistant who has discovered (or invented) the arrhythmic heart condition and found that the left foot is a centimeter shorter than the right. So your parents dig into those very shallow pockets, miss out the month’s meat or ice cream ration and give you the cash. You learn that money enhances speed and erases a lot of unwanted details.

At NDA and IMA you learn spit, polish, geru-choona, marching in step, camaraderie, unquestioning obedience and patriotism. Out of all these, choona will be the most useful to you. Your college education will continue towards a well-earned degree but when you graduate you start asking yourself whether the sword of honour went to the right choice or were the rules bent to accommodate the commandant’s nephew? Should you have to ask such a question? In our culture of bhai-bandhi, can we think otherwise?

So when Scorpene, Bofors, dal, rum quotas, fuel, MIG parts, coffins and helicopters come up, or when Tehalka photographs wads of notes being passed between dubious agents, remember you are a mirror to this country where life values do not matter much. Choona has been used to wash out the dirty details. If you can survive the odds you are a true Hindustani hero.

FILM & FASHION
Pretty Woman goes green

Julia RobertsNow that she’s soon going to be a mom-of-three, it seems that Julia Roberts is determined to do her bid to protect the environment. The Pretty Woman star, who is due to give birth to her and hubby Danny Moder’s third child this summer, is revamping her new $20 million Malibu mansion to make it an eco-friendly place. A family friend revealed that Roberts is fixing up the couple’s new solar-powered home with the latest state-of-the art green gizmos and gadgets. The insider revealed that the home was to be built with wood from “sustainably managed forests”. Even the bathrooms will have recycled tiles! And, once her eco-friendly home is ready, Roberts plans to turn her attention to fuel. The actress admits that she had no problems driving around in a car that made her smell like French fries, if it meant that her kids’ future would be better.

Cruise control on Katie’s shopping!

Looks like Tom Cruise is a tad worried about all those shopping sprees wife Katie Holmes is taking these days, and is urging her to stop spending money like water. However, it isn’t his bank balance that the Mission Impossible star is reportedly worried about, but the fact that Katie’s shopping trips to stores like Barneys, Horn and Bonpoint will make her seem ‘frivolous’ in the public’s eyes. “Katie looks like she has been moping about having to curtail her shopping sprees. She said Tom wants her to take a break as he thinks it might be sending out the wrong message,” a source was quoted. And, it seems that Cruise has a right to be worried, for his 28-year-old wife reportedly spent a 100,000 pounds during a shopping spree at Barneys recently! — ANI

$20m for Britney’s ex-hubby

Singer Britney Spears has agreed to give estranged hubby Kevin Federline about 20 million dollars in the divorce settlement. K-Fed will get 2 million in cash and half of Spears’ earnings during their two year marriage. In the out of court settlement, Kevin will also be entitled to half of the ‘money made from selling their Malibu marital home’. Arjun Rampal Spears checked out of Promises rehab in Malibu on March 20, after successfully completing her treatment in the centre. The Toxic singer’s life has seen an amazing change after her month long stay in the rehab. However, reports have been staring that Britney’s stay has been a short one, for usually the Promises program is for 45 days. A source close to the pop singer said that during the rehab stay, Spears’ estranged hubby Kevin Federline extended his support to help her cope with the treatment. As for the couple’s two sons, well it seems that the way K-Fed took charge of them after Spears went into rehab has proved to the singer that he is a good dad. — ANI

Arjun Rampal gets choosy

Actor-producer Arjun Rampal is picking up his roles with utmost care and says it’s a conscious decision because he doesn’t want to jump into any and every film that’s offered to him. “I really don’t want to do work that will eventually disappoint me. I don’t want to be in shabby products. I want to work with people who have the same respect for their work that I have. So, yes, it’s a conscious decision not to jump into any and every work that’s offered to me,” Arjun said.Arjun says there’s no dearth of work. He recently opted out of Shootout At Lokhandwala. — IANS

Health tip of the day

Food is fuel for the body. Less fuel intake in order to control weight leads to headache due to the being in starvation mode. Dieting brings fatigue, lack of energy and sleep, potential dangers to one’s health.

— Dr Ravinder Chadha

TAROT TALK
What the cards say today...
P. KHURRANA

ARIES: ‘Three of Wands’ reveals it’s the time to put your plans into action, particularly when it comes to legal and property matters. Brilliant links between Venus and Moon indicate that your wishes will take shape. Tip of the week: Focus on your dream project. Lucky colour: Cream. LIBRA: ‘The Empress’ takes you towards the fast and protective lane. Love and romance lead to promise and commitment on Monday. Independent entrepreneurs will be working hard at new project that they are due to launch soon. Tip: Balance is the key word. Lucky colour: Saffron.
TAURUS: ‘The Lovers’ bode extremely well for relationship and romance. You have to attend more duties at work place. You will not win all arguments with partners Tip: You find within yourself a fountainhead of a will power. Lucky Colour: Black. SCORPIO: You draw ‘The World’ so this is a good time for relaxing and rejuvenate yourself. Don’t be in a hurry on Sunday.  You are re-evaluating your life, especially where it comes to passion and romance. Tip: You have to push to succeed and your efforts will pay off. Lucky colour: Silver.
GEMINI: The card ‘Hermit’ invites you to take an honest look at your close relationships. Hurried actions and judgment can lead to confusion. You will be enthusiastic about developments at work Be careful about getting into disagreements . Tip: Be charitable. Lucky colour: Deep crimson. SAGITTARIUS: ‘The Magus’ bring change and travel in your life. A pure spiritual and exalted influence transforms your professional priorities. Romance is on the cards. An old friend offers you a business opportunity. Tip: Be positive; you can make things happen. Lucky colour: Sea green.
CANCER: ‘Four of cups’ interprets it as having ‘focused energy’ and concentration on a goal. A close friend comes to your aid. You will be very inspired to make some changes to your lifestyle. Don’t make impulsive decisions. Tip: Don’t allow people to interfere. Lucky colour: Purple. CAPRICORN: ‘The Knight of Swords’ instigates you to be active and clever. You can make money if you’re willing to push your ideas. You must continue working at a good pace. Tip: Retain the fruit of your hard work. Lucky colour: Golden yellow.
LEO: ‘Seven Golden Cups’ creates a sense of hope. A someone special is will be walking in your life. A journey for business or holiday is likely. Health and physical energy is good but you need to take watch out your diet and fitness routine. Tip: Dare to impossible tasks. Lucky colour: Golden. AQUARIUS: ‘The Lovers’ inspire you to climb new heights and actualise creative ideas. You need to be diplomatic and avoid the impulse to be domineering. A subordinate may come up with a useful suggestion. Tip: Be grateful for the gains coming your way. Lucky colour: Rose.
VIRGO: Your card ‘The Hierophant’ takes you through a variety of experiences from which you learn and grow. Be extra careful if you are signing any paper work on Monday. Tip: Dare to accomplish even those tasks, which normally take up a lot of time. Lucky colour: Brown. PISCES: ‘Six of Swords’ bring mental clarity and perspective in chaotic situation. Activities away from home will bring extra pleasure and broaden your viewpoint. Those working on a sensitive position should be careful while dealing with public. Tip: Start moving from thought to action. Lucky colour: Lotus pink.








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