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Style
on Call Swish shapes wed luxe couture. The needles of young, city-based designers are fast spewing out oodles of sizzling style and more.
Remember the times when we would scrounge in the family vault for perking up our oh-so-boring outfits? Year after year, we’d take out the comfort clothing stashed in our bed boxes and glam it up with invaluable finds from grandma’s closet. Style hence, could never go beyond multi-strand necklaces and antique ornaments paired with dungarees. Not any more. For, the city-based chic designers have changed it all. Creating luxurious and dramatic silhouettes for those smitten by the stylized outfit bug, these designers have notched up the city’s style quotient. Buttery satins, rustling silks, wispy chiffons, sheer laces, crushed tissues, jamevar jaals, embossed chanderis, mushy mulmuls and crisp cottons— city’s young breed of designers ensure it’s the time for luxe fabrics and cutting-edge style. We zip across the city to discover some of their deadliest designer-dens`85 Off-beat He’s flamboyance personified — both in his own appearance and the designs he creates. No wonder Sandy Sandon has been creating waves internationally ever since he was a student. Presently operating through his designer workshop — Sandon in Sector 11, Chandigarh, this lad has creativity oozing out of his every pore. That explains his creating a unique ‘tunnel look’ for his studio. "Scary statues, rickety walls and red lights will greet my clients in my designer tunnel," laughs Sandy, while working on an antique-wall-look shoe-rack. It’s perhaps this penchant to be different that won him a Rs 15lakh contract with Export Import Euro, a Canadian export house in 2005. This was followed by Sandy’s packing off 3,000 linen shirts to China. And why not? For, this designer loves to experiment — fluff cotton pompoms on jute skirts, copper coins on denims, steel, aluminum and leather trimmings on shoes and belts. Not to miss his party gowns splashed with scary tiger tattoos! Pręt-e-porter
Yet another young, city-based designer, who’s carved a niche for himself in Mumbai’s pr`EAt-e-porter market, is Salil Gulati. Retailing for the last five years from his little store, placed (almost unnoticeably) in the bustling Sector 22 market, Salil’s had a stint with export-houses, designing couture fabrics for French and Italian fashion houses. No wonder, Salil’s clothes today are racked next to those of celebrity designers like JJ Vallaya, Manish Malhotra, Rocky S, jewellery designer Queenie Dhody and Hasseena Jethmalani, at Mumbai’s most chi-chi style haunt AZA — the posh Altmount mega store, spread over 5000sq feet of prime property. "I’m lucky to be sharing space with Rohit Bal, Shantanu&Nikhil and Manish Arora at the Sagar Couture on Bandra’s upmarket Linking Road, frequented by many Bollywood fashionistas," he muses. Currently working on Egyptian and Maheshwari cottons, linens, hand-spun silks and wispy chiffons (kurtis and suits, Rs 2,000-Rs. 5,000), Salil is sizzling the city with his kimono inspired shirts and sequin-studded chiffon tunics (Rs 3,000 onwards). Romantic drapes
Tucked cozily inside her abode in Sector 7, Panchkula, is Nidhi Bajaj’s snug designer studio, tastefully embellished with touches that are all fuchsia. A fashion design graduate from INIFD, this young, vivacious designer loves to play with flounce and frills. Avers Nidhi, "My creations are all about ultra femininity as opposed to sexiness. The accent is on desirability. I try and pamper my clients both with cr`E8mes, pastels, earthy colours and fiery hues and give them that oh-so-romantic girlie feel." No wonder, Bajaj’s creations are seems brimming with everything from nets, laces and frills to strings, sequins, pearls, paisleys. And though she likes to adorn her brides with sinous silks and satins (bridal lehengas starting from Rs 10,000 onwards), her summer collectibles include cute little tops, knee-length tunics and sizzling skirts in cotton, linen, muslin and chiffon (Rs 1,500-5,000). Fabrics galore We catch them bustling about excitedly, attending to clients, in their recently opened designer studio at Sector 7 in city. Having launched their brand ‘Tagless’ about three months back, designers Narender Bhargav and Sameep Dhaliwal are already creating ripples in town by playing with diverse fabrics. Their summer bonanza promises 25 different designs of youthful tunics, created in flowing fabrics like chiffon, georgette, cotton, voile, linen. And no glitter mind you, but fabric embellishments like frills, elastics, laces (Rs 700-2,500). Another one of their summer specials includes kurtas flaunting machine printing, patchwork and block printing (Rs 800-1,500). Heal the world So you thought all fashion designers thought about was bold, bright and beautiful? Meet Ravish Kumar, Ujjwal Daksh and Abhitesh Pandey, city-based designers who think beyond angular shapes, zig-zag waves and sinous swirls. "All three of us will soon launch our store, from where we’ll promote handloom fabrics spun by handloom weavers of India, who lack capital for investment. We’re planning to tap on their hand-spun fabrics for our designer collection," explains Ravish Kumar, presently working on prints from the famous Mithla paintings of Madhubani, Bihar. These savvy couturiers’ have worked with Upasna, the high-end designer store at Auroville, Puducherry, along with designer duo Sahil Jistu and Jigmet Bodh. "The cotton caps we’ve designed in bright hues are made of rags and waste material like beads, shells, dried flowers and butterfly motifs(Rs. 250 onwards)," beams Bodh. No wonder, these caps are a rage all over Southern India and Delhi! With the city brimming with designers like these, haute couture refuses to be restricted to the ramp glides and is heating up the city’s fashion scene. anandita@tribunemail.com
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Come holidays and most kids are glued to telly screens 24x7. No doubt, this is the time when the TRPs of kids’ shows shoot up. Swati Sharma finds out what’s caught their fancy.
The programmes catering to the kids are an interesting mish-mash of amusing serials and patriotic ones. While there are youngsters who like shows on great warriors from history, others have an incline towards reality and quiz shows. And so there has been a plethora of shows like Disney Hour, Dharti Ka Veer-Prithvi Raj Chauhan, Anupam Uncle, Family number 1, Left Right Left, Discovery and 24-hour channel dedicated to kids on Cartoon Network.
Tickling the funny bone are the comedy serials that are equally popular, feels14-year-old Vanya Vaidya. "I enjoy watching Baa Bahu and Baby as I can relate to the kids in the serial and the whole set up of a close knit family is also appealing," she adds. While kids look up to the macho characters like Rajeev Khandelwal of Left Right Left or Rajat Tokas, who is playing the role of Prithvi Raj Chauhan, as their idols, light roles like Gattu’s in Baa Bahu and Baby is less aura-inspiring, yet entertaining. "Making serials for kids is not a child's play," feels Arif Ali, creative director of UTV productions, "Prithvi Raj Chauhan is an interesting character. If Prithvi Raj would have been on air even half an hour late then it would not have been so successful." Ali is presently working on Hero serial on Hungama channel that has recently entered its fourth series of the serial. The serial is based on a child Joy, who is physically impaired and how he turns into a super hero. Children have their own preferences in television viewing. Talent shows, enlightening shows such as Kaun Banega Crorepati and Cadbury’s Bournvita Quiz contest and surprisingly horror shows are a few to which children are attracted like magnet. "I love watching quizes and reality shows as they are more realistic and I learn a lot," smiles Tushar Mehta, a resident of Sector 49, "I don’t like serials as they are not practical and inspiring," quips this 13-year-old lad. Based on an army
school, popular serial Left Right Left has been successful in arousing
patriotic feelings among its viewers. Smiles Sukesh Kotwani, head
scriptwriter of the soap. "Left Right Left is successful and has a
great fan following. There are around 28,000 members of Left Right Left
community and this has really impressed me. The swati@tribunemail.com
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I am a 32-year-old guy, considered handsome by everyone except my girlfriend who seems to think I am of no consequence. Each time we go out to a party together she is very critical of my clothes and my general appearance. I love her very much and like to listen to her but I am feeling that my confidence is touching rock bottom like this. I broached the subject with her and she just started laughing. My friends think she is just making a fool of me and they feel very sorry for me. I am in a good job and would like to marry her. Do you think I am doing the right thing? Anirudh Prasher, Dehradun You are in for a made shock if I tell you that your girlfriend is emotionally manipulating you. She knows that you love her and she seems to be taking advantage of the fact. She is also very insecure about you, that is perhaps one of the reasons that she is critical of your appearance. Since you say you are a handsome man, it is perhaps reason enough for her to get very insecure. Do make her feel beautiful. May be you love her very much deep within your heart but you must also make her feel that you love her. If she is laughing at you, it is only to hide her own insecurity. Once she is sure of you, her behaviour towards you will definitely change. I am 28 and work in a call centre. I work a lot during the night and have two small kids, who seem to miss me very much since I cannot spend too much time with them. My husband and I do not seem to have much to say to each other when we are together at home as I am always very tired and stressed. Recently, my husband asked me to give up my job but I am very apprehensive. The money is very attractive an all in the family are very used to a comfortable lifestyle. I am in a dilemma as to whether I should quit my job or carry on with it. Radha Saluja, Chandigarh Get your priorities straight. What is more important in life -- money or relationships? Yes, money is also very important but definitely not to the extent that it overrules all other aspects of your life. I’m sure there are many other jobs available that will get you some money even if it is not the same amount. You must remember that no amount of physical things will ever make up for the emotional security. Your children are young and they need you. I definitely feel your husband is right, work at finding a better-tuned job. I have just been transferred to this place from the South and everything is new, unfamiliar and exciting for me. I am in my 30s and married with a kid. My family is still back home. I come from a very conservative background and where life is simple and well-marked. Here in my office, I have met a lovely Punjabi girl. We often go out for coffee after office hours and spend a lot of time together. I have not told her that I am married, as I am afraid that she may not go out with me after that. But somehow I am feeling guilty about this, as sooner or later, she will find out. Should I risk telling her and jeopardise my friendship? Please advise. Hari Venkateswara, Chandigarh I would definitely advise you to tell her the truth immediately. It is not nice to keep any girl in the dark about such things as she might be thinking of some romantic notions about you. I’m sure you are enjoying your new status and scenario that is all very well on your side, but you have every reason to feel guilty about what you are doing. It is a great possibility that your friend will still be with you; after all you are not giving her any romantic ideas. Gather up the guts and go tell her very tactfully that you haven’t mentioned till now about your family. I’m happy that at least you are thinking about it and not leading someone up the garden path. Write at lifestyletribune@gmail.com or C/o Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sector 29-C, Chandigarh
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Toon Tamasha
Cartoon characters are moving out of the silver screen on to products used liberally not just by kids
You may find it simply hilarious in case you haven’t been watching the “toon tamasha” on the streets, but the characters are actually enthralling the teenagers after figuring on the products used so liberally by them — right from perfumes to tees and even towels. “They were always there for the kiddos celebrating theme birthday parties. Right, the ones where everything from scrumptious cakes to cheerful curtains and alluring return gifts were based on the toon stuff,” says baker-cum-party expert Jagdish Seth of Sector 32-based Kandy’s Pastry Parlour. “But the stuff was hardly a craze amidst youngsters until about a few weeks ago.” That was till the time commercial houses did not decide to cash in on the craze generated by movies and cartoon channels. Now every other product you pick in the market, there’s a cartoon character smiling back at you. And the latest to join the real-life brigade of products endorsed by cartoon characters is reel-life hero Spiderman. The friendly neighbour is spinning the web of charm all around by climbing not just the skyscrapers in the flick, but also the popularity charts in the city. You can see him feature on files and folders, even in restaurants and fast food joints so hot among the out-to-chill crowd. Among them is The Grill in Sector 9. The joint has actually devoted a complete corner to Spiderman. In fact, it offers you a taste of adventure on a platter with Spiderman motif. Even the mugs bear Spiderman’s insignia. “Spiderman has always been a superpower,” says proprietor Varun. “Like any other out-of-the-screen hero, he believes in the dictum: With great power comes great responsibility. As newspaper headlines nowadays talk about law and order situations, you realise we need a hero like him to swing, fly and even crawl to rescue people from dilemma. That’s the reason why we chose Spiderman theme for our joint.” Otherwise also, Peter Parker or Spiderman’s popularity only shows that people still crave for out-of-the-world fantasy, that too featuring a hero, despite all the emphasis on practicality, professionalism and realism, adds Varun. Well, if you still haven’t seen Spiderman or Tom-and-Jerry chase away the grim realities of daily existence, just get into a car like Noddy does. And zip down the road meandering its way through realism for reaching arcades lined with illusionary temptations — Flintstone style. You will find Bugs Bunny digging his way into the hearts of his fans on messenger bags, or Porky Pig brushing himself clean on tissue papers. Or else, you will come across Batman rubbing you on the right side after making himself comfortable on erasers. “Little messenger, and even clutch, bags embellished with cartoon characters are, in fact, the latest scream amidst the under-grads,” says Chetan Kumar of a Sector 11 gift and chunk jewellery shop. “They are not very expensive either. You can pick up a good bag with Johnny Bravo for as little as Rs 180.” So folks, what are you waiting for? Pick up the stuff to let illusions brighten up your daily mood. Happy shopping!
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Make June’s sizzling sun envious by possessing your own sparkling, gold-plated cell phone Bespoke pieces may be the bling-bling brigade’s latest fashion statement, but luxury-lovers in town can now flaunt high-end style, without visiting their designer. All you have to do is shell out Rs 63,299 and get hold of Nokia’s limited edition ‘8800 Sirocco Gold.’ It’s expensive, yes, but who says luxury ever comes cheap? Being launched in India sometime in June, 2007, this would be Nokia’s first handset to be in 18 carat gold. Encased in luxurious 18-carat gold plating, the precisely crafted Nokia ‘8800 Sirocco Gold’ combines timeless design with contemporary flair, resulting in an exclusive display of personal style and elegance. While the fine white gold accents enhance its 18-carat gold plating, the sapphire-coated, scratch-resistant glass display adds to the elegance of this luxe handset. Besides, the handset flaunts a matching gold-coloured desk stand, high-resolution camera (2 Megapixel), exclusive ringtones by Brian Eno and Bluetooth headset. And as if all this was not enough, the phone will set the fashion scene ablaze with its stunning coloured screen (upto 262k colours). — TNS
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Ash all the way
The bonds of matrimony have obviously not succeeded in reducing her popularity to ashes. Still the hot favourite among cine buffs across the country, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been crowned the Most Searched Personality on “www.in.msn.com” at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards ceremony at Yorkshire, England.
Just in case you do not know, every year MSN India collates data on the “most searched personalities”. They are awarded on the basis of user search requests. Last year, Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were the most searched personalities. Talking over the phone from Delhi, a spokesperson for MSN says among the active searchers are buffs living in this part of the region — Chandigarh included. Well guys, the welfare association of Indian flowers and ornamental plant growers, iFlora, may still be having second thoughts about presenting impressive bouquet to Ash during Flora Expo 2007 scheduled to be organised in September. From her latest movies to her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, everyone wants to know what Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is working on and where she is going next. In fact, her fans have been asking for more after her impressive performances in Dhoom 2, Guru and Provoked; and her entering a world-without-end bargain with Abhishek Bachchan. No wonder, Aishwarya has been crowned the most searched personality by none else than IIFA brand ambassador-cum-pa in-law Amitabh Bachchan at the glittering eighth annual IIFA awards ceremony at Yorkshire. saurabh@tribunemail.com
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Luggage brotherhood
Sreedhara Bhasin However much we hear the phrase – “people are the same all over,” we really don’t believe it! We talk about how the Indians are so unruly, the Germans are so regimented, the Americans are so hung up on size and the French on beauty. On my way to the Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris, I saw what is a truly universal phenomenon and parallels could be found easily in our Chandigarh any day! The hotel courtesy van that I took to the airport had a limited area for baggage. As we happened to be the first ones to board, we kept our not-so-large suitcase nicely in one corner and sat down. Soon, more and more people boarded the bus – mostly couples, some old and some young with infants in arms. What was particularly similar was that almost all of them had a lot of luggage – huge suitcases and carry-ons and strollers and more bags. The women took to their seats like birds in flight – the husbands huffed and puffed to place the bags in the already spilling over luggage bin. Soon, there was no place and the husbands started throwing their bags in any way possible into the bin, making it almost impossible for more passengers to move into the interior of the bus. One young man kept counting his bags with sweat forming on his brows and tried desperately to shove the bags into any corner, while the wife exhorted – “Honey, come on… sit down… Hurry up!” One old gentleman, who lugged in two Herculean suitcases, kept chanting – “I cannot move these, I cannot even lift these! What did you pack into them?” — in a vain effort to get a meaningful reply from his old and agile wife who walked on towards the seat with the air of an empress. However, the single men who got on carried manageable bags and looked placid and eager for the journey! When the airport approached the husbands started fidgeting, throwing nervous glances at what was by now an impossible mass of tangled luggage. Some of them started calling out their desired terminal numbers to the French driver who looked like he couldn’t care less. When their terminals arrived, the husbands wrestled over the luggage — and with each other — in order to extricate their pieces and almost fell out of the shuttle in sheer exhaustion! I suppressed a smile of satisfaction, for I saw nothing sort of this in the Shatabadi only a fortnight ago. Maybe, the Chandigarh husbands are a little more vocal about having their overhead luggage shifted or moved and will sometimes not stop short of heated exchange with fellow passengers! But, who says some things are not the same all over?
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Roles mean more to her
Her mantra has been simple from Day 1 — focus on the banner and roles, money can wait. And she is known to slash her price if the role means more to model, beauty queen and actress Aarti Chhabria Why did you decide to join films?I did fifty
commercial ads as a kid and gradually developed a passion of being in
front of the camera. That’s how I decided that I would like to be an
actor. Which actress you like and why? I
like Audrey Hepburn simply because of the graceful way she has carried
herself in her films and off-screen. I also admire Madhuri Dixit and
Sridev. And would love to follow their footsteps in Bollywood. Tell us about your favourite co-stars? Akshay Kumar, Sohail Khan,
Govinda, Fardeen Khan Viveik Oberoi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor. I have
had a blast working with all! Upcoming projects? There is a crazy campus caper coming
along, Kisse Pyar Karoon. In the pipeline is Milenge Milenge
with Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. I play a very glamorous US returned
girl in this film. You are a pretty
neat dancer, have matched steps with Prabhu Deva down South? I really
love dancing and dancing with Prabhu Deva was memorable. Are you doing any South films? Despite having done two Telugu and one
Kannada film, I am now concentrating on Hindi films. — Dharam Pal
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Doll with a soul
The waves have long receded but Tsunamika, the little girl born of the devastation of the December 26 Tsunami, lives on as a symbol of enduring hope, building lives wherever she goes
“After the Tsunami, we wondered how a design body could help towards a natural disaster. We wanted to help with our energy and time and in the context of the work we were doing. It is then that we decided to go in for creative trauma counselling,” recalls Uma Prajapathi of UDS.
But it was only after 90 days that Tsunamika was created by the design team. Today more than a 1000 women have been trained and 200 of these make 30,000 to 50,000 Tsunamikas a month that go all over the world. While UDS facilitates the process, providing them with waste fabric from their own creative works, the women are paid between Rs 800 and 2,500 for their work. But what makes this endeavour so inspiring is that while these women make their livelihood from this project, the dolls are never sold. They are gifted. “Can one buy hope, courage, love and determination?” asks city-based free-lance designer Kanchan Rana who is in touch with UDS and wishes to become a Tsunamika ambassador, the first in the region. Kanchan first bumped into Tsunamika as a student of NIFT, Bangalore, almost three years ago. However, it was in December 2006 that she decided she wanted to be more actively involved in making people know and love Tsunamika like she did. She brought back 100 dolls to gift, even presenting them to the village women in Rajpura where she works with the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) on a project that teaches these women how to make products out of handmade paper. “She is not a thing. She is alive and has a soul,” insists Kanchan, “Just like the Rajpura initiative helps empower women, Tsunamika helped the fisherwomen there put their lives together and support their families. I told these women that Tsunamika comes in solidarity from the women there. They wore them every single day,” she smiles. Tsunamika’s popularity in fact, can be gauged by the fact that there is even a book on her now. Tsunamika Meets Friends can be ordered free of cost from UDS and has been translated into 15 international languages and is endorsed by UNESCO. It tells the story of the Tsunami and this little girl but in a positive way because nature never means to harm. According to Uma, Peace One Day, a movement which inspired the establishment of the UN International Day of Peace on September 21, has approached the UN. They wish to make Tsunamika a symbol of world peace. grajwade@tribunemail.com
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Hallo Aloe!
A walk at lake, about five years ago brought him in contact with the team, which was selling Aloe Vera gel to the passer-bys. They were selling 800gm-bottles for Rs 900. He did not carry Rs 900 with him, but nevertheless, he stopped and had a good look at the bottle. For the picture pasted on it was oddly familiar. “It was made of the juices of a cactus-like plant which my grand mother had called as Ghrit Kumari. I knew about it because people of my parent’s generation used to eat it like a vegetable. But this bottle for Rs 900 got me thinking.” And that was only the beginning. Research followed. Aggarwal, an advocate by profession and also a founder member of Dhanmanty Ayurvedic College and Hospital in Sector 46, found enough material on the herb to establish a research centre in his daughter, Dr. Amar Nidhi’s, name. “I asked a rich client of mine to start planting Aloe Vera. And his reply was ‘what are you saying? Plant something which even cattle do not eat?’ It took a long time for me to convince him. Now he owns a large plantation area near Khanna and all the Aloe Vera we need for our centre comes from him,” says Aggarwal. After the production part came the most difficult phase. What form should it be marketed? “For one thing it tastes bitter and secondly, it contains 98 per cent water. So to dry it up to present it in the capsule form is almost impossible,” says this 73-year-old nature enthusiast. Finally this problem too was solved. He found a firm in Maharashtra, which was willing to dry Aloe Vera in bulk and convert it into capsules. “Now we extract 1 kg of powdered Aloe Vera from 100 kg,” he says. The point where he is stuck now is getting his final products tasted by some recognised institute. “We have written to the National Institute of Ayurveda requesting them to carry out a human trial of our product, but have not yet received a reply,” he says. But he is optimistic that his product will reach to the masses as now everyone is waking up to the positive qualities of the herb. “Institutes like PGI can take up research works on this wonder herb and carry out human trial,” he says. And guess what Aggarwal and his
daughter Nidhi wants to project Aloe Vera as? “Something that helps enduring mental and physical stress to the extent that it can control and mitigate the violent streaks and suicidal tendencies.” Looking at the thorny, succulent herb, growing unnoticed in an abandoned pot, it is difficult to even think that it can be so potent. But then looks can be deceptive, isn’t
it?
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Helping merit shine
Ex-servicemen are helping meritorious students from economically weaker sections fulfill their dreams Every parent dreams of the best education for their child in the hope of a better future. But in this highly materialised world, not everybody can afford it. To overcome this glitch The Society for Meritorious Students has taken the charge and is flying successfully leaving behind a trail of their achievements which is inspiring others as well. When even our government does not wish to work at the grass root level and is always shaking off the responsibility through quota system, completely ignoring the merit, a organisation like this comes across as a boon for society Established in the year 2002 by retired army officers, this group aims at providing light to those who possess the ability, but are groping in the darkness due to the lack of means. The society selects meritorious students with a poor background, with the assistance of the principals. After the selection, they are adopted by the society and supported throughout school and college till they get a job. Assistance is provided in the form of tuition fee, computer fee, books, stationary uniform, and any other aid including medical support to see that they excel in studies. The members themselves contribute Rs 20, 000 per year and the rest come in the form of donations. About 25-30 donors are involved in this noble endeavour. Many of these people are donating since 10-12 years. The array of donors ranges from dry cleaners, to relationship managers in the members bank. Informs Lt General J. L. Malhotra, the president of the society, “Our society believes in god and we consider ourselves mere catalysts in his service.” So far, the society has seen no failures in terms of the students’ performance, but is prepared for it in the future and in the remedy of which they plan to channelise their efforts in some other direction. “Children are not careless, but are cared less” sys R.C Jeewan, retired principal of D.A.V College, also the vice chairperson of this society. “We have told every child that there is no obligation towards the organisation. The reward will be the pinnacle they reach through their education,” quips Lt. Gen Malhotra. Started with 15 students, this organisation is today supporting 350 students from around 17 schools and 10 colleges. Thirty students are in colleges pursuing various degree and professional courses. It is the compassion to help the needy and deserving students is what keeps this organisation going. Seems like this society believes not just in putting dreams in sad eyes, but realising them too! For more information and in case of any help visit their website www.meritstd.org
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Avoiding physical activity due to pain and discomfort can lead to muscle weakness and excessive weight gain in individuals with arthritis. — Dr Ravinder Chadha 
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So you thought the saas-bahu
brigade was still topping the TRP charts? Well, vying closely with the
scheming vamps of these serials are the tele-serials for kids. No doubt,
the number of exclusive programmes for children is very less. However,
the ones that are on air are interesting enough to attract an audience.
In a country of avid
television watchers, these serials are turning out to be good money
making machines for its producers also. Boasting of its high TRP (5.3)
on weekends is ‘Prithviraj’ which is being watched by people of all
the age groups. From the makers of popular serials like Vikram-Betal
and Dada-Dadi ki kahani, this weekend soap has been in news for
its high budget. "A few years back, we had worked on making a daily
on king Prithvi Raj but it was not completed," informs Moti Sagar,
the producer of the soap. Ask him as to why he choose Prihtvi from all
warriors and he explains, "There is only one character in history
who is worth making a serial and that is the great warrior Prithvi Raj
Chauhan." The role is being played by Rajat Tokas, the young Tatya
in Sai Baba. "We liked his act in Sai B and picked him for
this also. After Prithvi will kill Bhimdev in the serial, the focus will
turn to the famous love story of Prithviraj and Sanjogta," he
discloses.
Enter Ayesha (Hazel), a bright young fresher on her first trip to school, who ends up having this bizarre first time experience with Rohan, while the latter is bunking class uses her as a shield to protect himself from the seething school principal.
Let there be no illusions. Larger than life cartoon characters are filling the lives of so many youngsters with animated laughter after hopping from the silver screen into the real world. 
Tsunamika, the little doll created after the Tsunami by Upasana Design Studio (UDS) at Auroville (Puducherry), was not an ‘idea’ that grew overnight. 
UDS entered the lives of the fisherwomen in 6 villages there to teach handicraft work. The women were reluctant. “They said, we are fisherwomen, we have never threaded a needled in all our lives. How will we do it?” remembers Uma. However, on the first day of the training, “so many women turned up. They had nothing to do. They were bored.” 
Wisdom comes when you are least expecting it. This is the bottom-line of the story of S. K. Aggarwal and his obsession with Aloe Vera — the wonder herb. It took an American team to wake him up to discover the usefulness of this herb.
It acts like a natural cleanser and detoxifier