It’s almost like discovering a spring while walking on a parched desert. There you are, helplessly hating the horrid heat that’s left you all hissing. And then, ‘it’ arrives… a freshet of sparkling, glistening water.

Bidding goodbye to prickly heat, it’s none but the thanda thanda cool cool rain shower. As you bunch up, cupping your hands to collect some of this rushing torrent, it zigzags and trickles down mischievously. Well, the Monsoons are here. Cloaked as a sprightly shower, these splashes have already got the city into celebration mode. And why not, for isn’t respite from deadly heat a reason enough to celebrate?

We splash up a few cues for all who’d like to get drenched in the celebratory mood!

Rains, in a country like India, have always meant unlimited joys—battling freshets of sparkling rainwater sweeping across our faces, cupping our hands to collect some of these rushing torrents, jumping into dicey puddles and playing with the water zigzagging and trickling down our bodies mischievously. And for all those who’ve always envied the ever-sprightly Kajol, jumping into puddles and singing Mere khawabon mein jo aaye, here’s how to dress up right (bright, to be more precise) and get drenched in some monsoon merrymaking.

Celebrate the joyous spirit of the season by sporting dresses in bright fluorescent colours— lime greens, hot pinks, vibrant turquoises, sultry oranges and vivacious violets. Ultra-feminine, psychedelic colours can offset the grey days and jazz up those muggy evenings. You could play with baby-doll dresses in florals, polkas, geometrical prints, animal and kitsch patterns. Georgettes and chiffons, besides voile and mulmul are the fabrics to get you wrapped in for that rain-kissed look. Cotton and polyester work well too, since polyester dries up quickly and does not need any ironing. Slinky satins could be played with for sizzling that party scene. And for lowers, knee-length or just above the knee-length works best.

They are no longer required to wear the navy blue uniform. Fresh school pass outs are now busy preparing themselves to join colleges. And the major component of their preparation is shopping. The thought of moving around in those funky denims and trendy tops brings a smile to their face.

Spending money on floral sarongs, skirts in Scottish checks and designer tops, they are ready to make their own style statement. Tapping to the tune of Bryan Adam’s Summer of 69 in their car stereos on the gehri route also features in their 
wild plans.

Ready to leave for New Zealand to pursue a three-year course from New Zealand Management Academy (NZMA), Dilpreet Talwar has invested Rs 40,000 on shopping. Looking forward to go overseas, he asserts, “It will be cold out there during this month. So I have purchased over-coats and jackets.” And when it comes clothes, it’s only big brands for this lad. Dilpreet has selected only Pringle or Monte Carlo for overcoats and jackets. Clothes, shoes or his all-new Tommy watch — his shopping spree goes on.

A resident of Sector 38 – West, for denims Dilpreet doesn’t compromise. “I am comfortable only in Spykar or Lee jeans. ”That is not the only worry. As proper winter apparels are not available in town, so this shopping freak plans to go to New Delhi.

Dilpreet’s neighbour, Abhishek Grover is all set to catch a flight to Malaysia for further studies. On a shopping spree since the day his admission in Business and Management was confirmed, he has been buying anything and everything that catches his fancy. A true Indian, he has two ethnic kurta-pajamas stitched. “ I like Indian clothes and plan to flaunt them abroad. In western wear, I spent on trendy t-shirts in all shades of brands like Octave and NumerUno,” he beams. Planning to join Nilai International College in Malaysia, he plans to shift later to the UK. If he doesn’t find things of his choice here then he drives down to Delhi. Abhishek. He has already bought a laptop, Woodland shoes, and shades and absolutely has no clue how much he has spent till now.

White some are busy buying clothes, others are working hard to loose that extra flab. After scoring an impressive 86 per cent in her Class XII exams, Sakshi Tanwar of Sector 45 rolls out her plan of action while running on the treadmill. Looking forward to join UIET, Panjab University or Punjab Engineering College, she says, “I will be spending the school security of Rs 3,500 on my shopping. When it comes to shopping its only Sector 17 for me. I have bought tops from Madame and denims from Pepe outlet. ”It’s not fashion on chirpy Sakshi’s mind who likes to fit in clothes that are comfortable and classy as well. Scared of getting ragged, she plans to dress up simple on the first few days of her college to avoid getting noticed by her seniors.

Fully equipped to join a course in communication designing at Symbiosis, Pune, Aprajit Sandhu discloses her shopping list to us – leather shoes, ethnic chappals, sporty watches, formal shirts, stylish party wear and capris to beat the heat. A pass out of Vivek High School, Sector 38, she does not have a fixed budget for shopping and will buy whatever she likes. “I will be away from home for four long years so my parents have given me a free hand,” smiles Aprajit.

Grab the chic clothes before everything is sold off from the shelves!

swati@tribunemail.com

I’m 32-year-old, going steady with a girl who works with me in the same firm. We go out a lot together but her silly habits are beginning to get to me. She is lost most of the time and her mind is elsewhere even through she is physically with me. Now she has developed a habit of text messaging her friends the moment we are together. I feel extremely uncomfortable. Should I speak to her about it or should I show my displeasure by getting annoyed.

Rajiv Karol, Delhi

From your girlfriend’s behaviour it is evident that she is not as interested in you as you are in her. If you are out together and she is busy text messaging other people or remains pre-occupied with other less important things I suggest you review your romantic situation a little more seriously. After all if you are planning to marry her and this is the kind of relationship you share, it does not sound very encouraging. You must discuss with her but please do not show your annoyance that will further aggravate the situation. But lay down some rules regarding the usage of the phone while the two of you are together.

I’m in my mid 30’s, married with two kids. I have the most boring and nagging husband. We go for regular holidays and he gives me enough money to shop to my hearts content. We eat out at the best restaurants and party often. But somehow I am extremely bored. I feel tired and listless and now I have started feeling that may be if I had an affair, life would become more interesting. But then, I feel I am being mean and unfaithful to my husband. How do I find happiness or at least some kind of excitement to make my life more meaningful?

Revathi Saluja, Chandigarh

What you are really looking for is a meaning to your life. Do not pass the buck onto your husband and say that he is boring. Your basic needs and those of your kids are well cared for and now you have enough time to focus on your-self and your priorities. Stop being obsessed by looking for a new experience with a new person. Use your fresh and invigorated energy in your own relationship. You are tired and listless because your focus is wrong. Find a meaning to your life by looking for a meaningful interest, perhaps it could be even some thing as mundane as cooking or take up a hobby. There is much more to life than just having affairs. Try to make your marriage work instead of trying to destroy it.

I am 26-year-old and my problem is I cannot hang on to a job for long. In my life I have already changed three jobs. I really admire people who have fabulous careers and wish I could be like that. But I do not think I can ever be stable. Even other avenues in my life seem to be going through the similar pattern. I never seem to be sure of myself. Please guide.

Niharika Jain, Panchkula

We all have the right to experiment with our lives. Who said that we reach the culmination of our goal at the young age of 26? Do not fret and worry. We all go through our growing pains. Each one in his own way. You probably have not really found a job after your heart’s desire. The day you will find it, you will not want to let go of it. Life is about enjoying your work. As Dr Wayne Dyer says, “Do what you love the money will follow.” You must not take up a new job thinking only about the money it gets you. Trust your instincts. Careers are never built overnight. Watch the drama of life as an objective observer and enjoy it.

It may have taken a little while to actually happen. But finally, the winds humming a sweet melody, are holding a promise of the rain. No wonder, the monsoon gods have decided to smile down upon us.

Seems like it’s time for an um…um…umbrella. But before you grab that black, bulky thing of the past, hold your horses. For, what’s replaced these Raj-Kapoor-Nargis black umbrellas (remember Shri 420?) is a smiling bunch of some happy, colourful umbrellas. Loud acid coloured prints—fun cartoons, geometrical graphics, zesty Barbies and fluttering butterflies. Besides, dappling these delightful umbrellas are smiling colours—a flush of sunshine orange, rainforest green and even the peppery bubblegum pink.

Visit any rehri market around town (22, 19 in Chandigarh and 7 and 9 at Panchkula) and you’re sure to be greeted by them. Sporting interesting offbeat shapes (squares and ovals), these are the small-sized umbrellas in feisty rainbow colours — shades of sunflowers and sunsets (dazzling yellows and fiery oranges), leaves and grass (deep greens and mellow pistas), skies and seas (soothing blues to passionate turquoises), passion and obsession (purples and blood-maroons). And, while you can pick up this delightful colour palette for just Rs 100, if it’s an umbrella in a small size, the largest one (almost as big as a garden umbrella), flaunting 16 colours, can be grabbed by shelling out Rs 350.

However, if such a mish-mashed medley of colours seems too bright for you, there are monochromatic nylon umbrellas (Rs 150-400) too. No wonder, you could now mix-n-match your pink outfit with, well, that bubblegum pink umbrella.

And of course, when it comes to the brand-brigade in town, it’s drizzling (if not raining) branded umbrellas. While golf umbrellas by Nautica (Rs 1,450) are sure to provide some shade from that sweltering sun, there are a few select ladies umbrellas too (Rs 1,295), flaunting a combo of two colours each. Big enough to protect that lawn of yours from the morning drizzle.

Chic polyester umbrellas in florescent colours are Benetton’s gift for the season. The star attraction here is a translucent plastic umbrella with colourful hearts and fonts engraved on it. Priced at Rs 500, this ultra-small umbrella even has some glitter stocked inside its tail!

So fashionistas in town, here’s your chance to grab a funky umbrella and notch-up your stylometers. Did romancing the raindrops’ pitter-patter ever get any better?

The good, old umbrella with its plain surface leaves a lot of scope for your creativity. So, here’s how to splash some style, minus the mega-money, on your umbrella —

• Stick Swarovski crystals on any plain, bright-coloured umbrella with some no-stitch fabric glue. Try doing your own initials for that sparkling effect.
• Glue beads and even coloured stones to the umbrella with fabric glue. Their colour could be strikingly in contrast with the umbrella or complementing it. Like red stones can smile on a mauve umbrella or pink ones can dazzle on a fuchsia umbrella’s surface.
• Play with fabric colours to paint fun cartoons and prints on the umbrella. Polka dots, flowers, stars and dolls are a few options.
• Draw anything, say a scenery or a face, on your umbrella and stick interesting fixtures on it— wool for hair, pom-poms for nose, ribbon for smiling lips and so on.

Seventh of July may be the most auspicious day to get married, but then, how good is it an idea to tie the knot in the middle of the Great Indian Monsoon? Wedding and monsoon is a lethal combo as water droplets on the D-day can smudge you mascara and wash away the blush. But then, practicality doesn’t stand a chance when stars suggest that it is the wedding season and the astrologers predict that the weddings will be on till August.

Washing away your worries are the city’s make-up gurus. “Undoubtedly the bride has to wear heavy make-up, so opt in for waterproof make-up,” says Neelu Grewal of Innoxa in Sector 8. And for other functions like roka or chunni chadai, Neelu suggests a use of the eyeliner, lip-gloss and concealer. “You could even dust translucent face powder for a matt effect,” she adds.

Keep in mind… Wash your face with a good soap-free cleanser. Rub an ice cube on the face for ten minutes to reduce sweating and help the makeup stay longer. For oily skin, use an astringent. For dry or normal skin, go in for a toner. Skip the foundation if you have a good skin texture. Just dust your face with little powder. Blend the blush well. Use cream blushes in peach, brown and pink. Keep your brows in perfect shape and skip the eyebrow pencil.

A heavy yet natural look is what Vidya Tikari, a renowned make-up artist suggests. “ The foundation that you use should be a shade lighter than your skin tone as its colour becomes dark gradually,” she says. “Go in for matt lipsticks as dry ones last longer in this season,” she says, “During the monsoons, after the bride’s make-up is done we use a fixing spray and freeze the make up. A lipstick feeler is also used so that it stays longer,” she says. For girls with tanned or dark skin tones, earthy lip colours for pre-wedding functions are a good choice. Those who are fairer should stick to pastel shades in peachs and pinks. “In humid weather the skin tends to sweat, so before applying compact just use a tissue to remove sweat and avoid patches,” tells Vidya. “Re-touches are a must in this season,” she says. And, what’s more they also give the bride a re-touch kit and guide her on how to use it.

Still worried? Then go in for a trial session that allows you to get your make-up done on just one side of your face and then go ahead with it. “A bride should look beautiful yet sober, nothing should be overdone,” says Raisy of Iris in Sector 9. For a glowing complexion she suggests a facial two days before the function. “ For oily skin, use an astringent at least three to four times a day. And for dry skin use a moisturiser as the base and follow it with a concealer, foundation and loose powder for a complete look, ” she says.

swati@tribunemail.com

Having spent my childhood and adolescence in Assam, where the monsoon meant locking oneself up inside the house, with three feet water all around (sometimes inside the house too), rain didn’t mean much romance for me. However, after seeing the ardour with which Punjabis celebrate rain, my eyes opened to the season’s romantic side.

In Punjab, we have folk songs, rituals and traditions to celebrate the season. And it’s easy to get into the mould. After all, one can sink one’s teeth into those sumptuous pakoras, malpuas with kheer, samosas and besan ki barfis without feeling the pangs of guilt. After all, it is the season to celebrate!

Or is it? Not quite, if the cautions prescribed by health experts are anything to go by. For, though the monsoon brings with it the much-awaited relief from the long spell of scorching heat, the showers also bring an increased risk of water-borne diseases and gastrointestinal infections—typhoid, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis and jaundice, just to name a few. Hence, here is a word of advice from dieticians:

“Hygiene is the key to good health this season,” says PGI chief dietician Ratna Bose. “Boil and filter water before drinking, go for home-cooked food. Roadside vendors and cut fruits are an absolute no-no. And fermented food like idlis and leafy vegetables are best avoided,” she adds.

Fortis has gone one step ahead to form an advisory panel, which has come up with a few tips to save one from falling sick. “Keep your kitchen scrupulously clean. This will prevent the flies from getting attracted to your kitchen,” advises Sonia Gandhi of Fortis. “And always wash fruits and vegetables in purified water before eating, even salads and raw vegetables should be washed in treated water,” she adds.

Coming to the type of food that should be eaten, Gandhi’s stake is on food that retains lesser water content like corn, besan, jawar, oats etc. “Also ensure that you eat food which contains plenty of vitamin C and zinc, as both help to maintain your immune system,” she says.

For those who cannot resist the temptation of a Coke or Pepsi, this is what Gandhi has to say – “Don’t have a cold drink that lacks fizz. Also, remember that the water used in making commercial ice is rarely clean.”

absolute no-no Streetfood, especially fried and Chinese Undercooked pork, sausage, fish. Unfiltered water.

parbina@tribunemail.com

Orkut’s got a new rival. All these months it may have helped you mouse-click friends’ friends existing together in a virtual world, but the social networking platform’s celluloid supremacy is now being challenged by ZillR.Com, a new site primarily for Indian users.

Launched by Chandigarh-based Ravish Kumar, the site already has 3,200 users. Liking for the site can be gauged from the fact that 90 per cent visitors stay back to register, or simply to move around converting people into pals.

Well guys, the site offers a host of new features that promise to connect you to excitement as soon as you log in. What’s more, the site is supposed to be ‘more secure’ and ‘customisable’ to suit individual needs of youngsters looking for opportunities to expand their social circle, and to go out for date without even moving away from their computer monitors.

To begin with, you can register yourself for all the fun and make your profile look ‘completely unique’ compared to others. You do not have to search the documents of your memory for creative ideas, the site offers seven different designs to select from.

This is not all. You can select the right kind of background for the profile you have created for yourself. Rather, you can upload the background images without actually wasting precious time.

You have to see it to believe it. As you view profiles, the bud of friendship blossoms in the backdrop. Or else, tiny red hearts in the background bring to the fore all about the user.  

And then you have the option to ‘forcefully overwrite’ other people’s profile. In fact, you can force the other profile to flash on your monitor in the colour and background of your choice. All you have to do is to check out the option ‘show whole website in single color theme’ in the setting section.

“You also have the option of being choosy about your pals. You can fairly well select friends you wish to receive messages from,” says 24-year-old Ravish. “Additionally, you can block your profile from the eyes of unwanted people to maintain your secrecy.”

As the site offers the unique feature of transparent background, the text is visible irrespective of the design you select. The site also shows live preview.

“The websites is open for all,” he adds. “As such, you need not follow the boring routine of logging in to browse profile and groups. Login in is required only if you wish to write something on the site or for reading private messages.”

And then there is the option of images commenting. “You can send and receive comments on the images uploaded by the users on their profiles,” says student Neeru Sharma. “Image galleries can also be created and comments received on these visuals.”

In case you wish to know something more about Ravish, he’s a retired headmaster’s son. He did his primary education from the Government Primary School in his native village Dasgarin in Roar district before doing his engineering from Fatehgarh Sahib. Sounds great, guys!

Net effect The world’s first social networking site classmates.com came into existence in 1995 to help members trace, connect and keep in touch with friends and acquaintances, including the ones they came across in the kindergarten, primary school, high school and even college. The site encouraged the members to make announcements, exchange or post photographs or even float their biographies, go through community messages boards and be informed of upcoming reunions. In case you are underestimating the popularity of Internet and social networking, here are some interesting statistics. A joint research, carried out by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRB International, says Internet users in India reached 37 million mark in September 2006, up from 33 million in March the same year. Studies estimate that the Internet user base is likely to go past 50 million by 2008. Out of the total, nine to 10 per cent are active in social networking. The number is set to grow with the Internet user base expanding exponentially.

saurabh@tribunemail.com

It’s not only sirens that get sultry. Seasons do, too. And when the situation gets real sticky, beauty goes bust. Before and after every cloudburst.

Even the prettiest of them all can’t face up to it. For, most end up looking like fashion disasters. Sweaty hair, smeared make-up, soggy clothes. And worst of all, eeks, that body odour. Smelling no better than a synthetic raincoat that gets wet again before it gets dry.

Nothing helps. Not even the reams of advice pouring out of glossies — Monsoon makeover, Skincare for the season, Regimen for the rains — experts dole out beauty tips by the dozen.

All this fashion wisdom does percolate, but rather literally, from top to bottom. It simply goes down the pores. Cosmetic reason just doesn’t stand up to the season. Now that’s no reason to not look good.

Singer Christina Aguilera is all set to take the Hollywood acting path. The Dirrty singer is reportedly reading scripts so as to find out the perfect debut role for herself. “I am looking forward to moving into another form of what I feel is another creative outlet for me and that would be acting,” she was quoted as stating in a press conference in Shanghai. “It is something that, when I attempt to do it, I want to do it right so it’s important for me that I do choose the right first role for myself,” she added. — ANI

A false doping charge has forced an ace boxer to kiss the ring goodbye. His older son, though aware of his father’s traumatic experience, can’t pursue his boxing career to wash the stain on the latter’s character. The younger son gives up singing to redeem his father’s reputation and becomes a boxer. Will he become the king of the ring? Or, will the dream of his father remain unfulfilled?

Answering these questions is director Anil Sharma’s Apne. Inspired largely by Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky Balboa, the movie, for the first time, features Dharmendra and his two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, together. This might be a dream come true for the Deols as well as helmsman Anil Sharma. To the viewers, it is a Bollywood masala potboiler. Granted that it has robust performances by Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby. Granted, too, that it has catchy numbers to enliven the proceedings. But a flawed script and extraordinary length threaten to turn it into a tearjerker instead of a family drama. Oddities are many. Consider this. Bobby Deol, whose left arm is paralysed, gets cured while trying to stop dad Dharmendra from hitting a photograph. Dharmendra is thrown out of boxing on a false doping charge. Again, Bobby’s opponent in the ring uses a substance to momentarily blind him with a view to vanquishing him. We never knew such dishonourable means were adopted in boxing. Shilpa Shetty and Katrina Kaif are no more than glamour dolls and are hugely wasted. Kiron Kher as Dharmendra’s wife and Victor Banerjee as his close friend, however, do full justice to their roles.

HR sounds like Haryana Roadways every time debutant Hansika Motwani addresses Himesh Reshammaiya in Aap Ka Suroor. Indeed, the mystery thriller is akin to a Haryana Roadways bus. Sit in it and run with it or get ready to be run over. You exercise the first option and watch a runaway narrative, which has the singer-musician with the bee-stung lips, Himesh, being framed for the murder of a journalist during an unexplained sting operation in Germany. You watch in bewilderment as the singer chants gayatri mantra and croons Aas Salam-a-Lekum even while facing a murder rap. Giving him company are beloved Hansika and Mallika Sherawat. While the plump Sushmita Sen look-alike is content with her share of rona dhona, Mallika, a glamourous lawyer, jives to raunchy numbers and re-enacts Mehbooba Mehbooba along with Himesh at the denouement. You also get a glimpse of auto rickshaws in Germany when their drivers block the way of German police cars with their vehicles to facilitate the escape of Himesh from their custody.

Ever-efficient German police officers are portrayed like a bunch of clowns who let off Himesh, merely on the basis of a confession of the real murderer at a public place. Realising it will be too much to cope with, you get down the bus with a piece of advice to Reshammaiya. It is better to be a popular singer-cum-musician than being ridiculed as a pathetic actor.

Showing at: Kiran

Sportspersons should take carbohydrates in their diet as main component. The fat requirement which is less then 30% is met from traditional Indian food which is cooked in oil.

— Dr Ravinder Chadha