|
|
|
|
|
10 Things 2 do b4 you say ‘I do’ You have begun to differentiate between chiffon and georgette. A small pimple on your face becomes a matter of family concern. The fact that you have only black, brown, grey or blue to choose from suddenly bugs you. You think of discarding your old pair of denims today and stuff it in your suitcase the next day. You meet up with your friends for a happy get-together and come back with moist eyes. There are butterflies in your stomach each time your bhua, chachi or masi drop by. Hmm…don’t panic, for you are not the only one who is confused about life one moment and focussed the other. For, you are just one of the many who are getting ready to tie the knot. A new phase, a friend for life, a whole new family, a huge set of responsibilities, endless formal dinners, li’l arguments, long drives, petty family problems and much more. In a couple of days life will not be the same anymore, it will be all about ‘us’ rather ‘you’, tell your married friends. And, while you will make new friends and enter into new relations, there will be lots that you will miss. So, before you walk down the aisle, how about going wacky as a bachelor and bachelorette? Here’s a list of ten things to do to live your life on ‘your’ terms before it becomes all |
|
n Wake up, take a shower and get hold of a pure white towel. And, dance to Mere Khwabon main jo aayee… n Dedicate a day to reading Mills & Boons, watching DDLJ, taking out FLAMES, Loves me, loves me not, et al. n Go holidaying. Or plan a girl’s night out. Plan a long drive. Or just sneak out of home for absolutely no reason. n Spend a day with mom-dad and siblings, simply to tell them that you love them the most. And, give them a chance to pamper you too. Get bitchy. Meet up with your best friend and talk of all the unlucky men who lost you! n Be Miss Imperfect. Wake up at eleven, don’t clean your room, wear worn-out shorts, crib over whatever is cooked for lunch. n Collect home delivery menus. You will need them each time sis-in-law drops for a lavish dinner. n Get drunk. Move over Barcardi Breezer and cocktails. Get real, how about Smirnoff and Fluid? Go to a bar, perch yourself on a bar stool and get drunk. Most important, don’t return home before three in the morning. n Let your friends plan a Bridal Shower for you. A beauty spa, floral jewellery, lots of gifts, chocolates to gorge on… n Last and the most important, jot down all the things that you like in your fiancée. Elders’ advice to revisit the list each time you end up having a fight or bad day post marriage. It will make you fall in love all over again, each time. Well said, isn’t it?
|
|
Crushes, break offs, falling in love with your girlfriend’s best friend—you have done it all. And, now it’s finally time to spend your entire life with just that one girl! Phew…quite unfair. So dude, rock before you set out for the roller-coaster ride. Here’s how. n Dedicate a day to the men’s drink—beer. Fetch a box of chilled Kingfisher Strong or Cobra and include it in all your meals from breakfast to lunch to evening snack to dinner. n Wear a pair of dirty socks or soiled T-shirt for five days in a row. n Your mom has been running after you with a glass of milk since you were a child, so for a change how about you making bed-tea for her. n On the geri route. A gypsy, blasting music, winking, whistling and bird watching. n Learn to dance, the way you need to do with a woman. No unnecessary hopping and jumping pick up a few sensible steps. n Place yourself in front of the idiot box and watch wrestling, car racing and repeat telecast of football or cricket. n Plan a holiday with friends. How about a Dil Chahta Hai remake? Or, maybe drive down somewhere near like Kasauli or Shimla. n Grow your hair long, experiment with French goattie or any style of beard. n Revisit all the places where you can’t hang around with girls. Kaimbwala, next to Sukhna or the graveyard in Kasauli n Last, and the most important: Jot down all the things that you like in your fiancé. Elders advice to revisit the list each time you end up having a fight or a bad day post marriage. It will make you fall in love all over again. Well said, isn’t it? purva@tribunemail.com
|
|
Salsa Rocks After twirling their way to celebratory status at the Hong Kong Salsa Congress, the only certified instructors in this part of the region Varun and Barsha are all set to make the city dance to their tunes. Yup fellows! The young couple is all jived up to start the first of its kind dance studio in the country right here in Chandigarh. Just in case you are walking the floor over the concept, here are the details. The couple will teach over 30 dance styles, including Latin, Western and Indian, all under one roof. And even before that, they are offering you an opportunity to sweat it out on the dance floor during Salsa Nights at the Score-8. The two have tied up with the joint to ‘promote the dance form’ in the city. “The weekends will be reserved for salsa,” croons Varun. “For, we are not just offering free entry to all you eager-to-dance couples, but are also giving you a great opportunity to learn the art during salsa special workshops.” This is not all. Tuned to the world of entertainment, the two are also rhythmically launching ‘clubsalsachandigarh’ — a community for salsa freaks. “For them, we plan to organise international events in the coming future. Also, we plan to call international instructors and performers to showcase their flair on the floor for the members”. Good. But how did the two get together? “Well, I am a trained folk and classical dancer,” says Barsha. “And Varun is into Western dance. We just started performing together and danced all the way into marriage.” And what generated their interest in salsa? “While dancing together in a small-screen competition in 2005, we got exposed to the salsa and decided to hop into it,” says Varun. Initially, Chandigarh was simply out of tune to the dance form. In fact, salsa music was hard to find. “But now things are changing. You have stores like the Music World with stock of salsa music,” he adds. “And then you have regular salsa lovers eager to dance one step forward for learning the art. Also, people from the corporate world are approaching us.” The trend is catching up folks! Come on, put on your dancing shoes. If nothing else, you will burn up those loathsome calories in the process. saurabh@tribunemail.com
|
||
|
Starved of manners You take out time from your busy schedule to spend an evening with your friends. It’s difficult to be ‘at home’ with friends at home, with the mother hovering around and siblings lurking behind the curtain. You need a neutral place to appease all your senses—showing off that pretty dress you bought during the last sale, catch up with the latest gossip and of course, good food! So you dash off to the new restaurant that you’ve been reading about in the food page of the local editions. Things move smoothly till a family with two kids in tow occupies your next table. All hell breaks loose. They make their displeasure about the food known to all with loud protesting sounds and as to divert their minds from the food, they run around picking up things from here and there and playing dart. To make matters worse, the live band in the corner decides to increase the decibel of their vocal chords! Folks, this is the common scene in almost city restaurants—parents are engrossed in animated conversation while kids enjoy their outing to the fullest, with background music loud enough to make one scream to her one’s own voice. So where is the privacy to gossip? “It’s true that most of the restaurants, the scene especially on weekends gets a little chaotic,” says Sanjeev Thakur, manager of Mehfil-17,“Most of the restaurants are no bigger than two or three showrooms, so when we have too many guests, it becomes a bit cramped. And the music becomes a bit too loud for anybody’s comfort.” And what about the terror brigade, we ask. “Yes, we get them too often. Specially children from affluent families who are used to eating out, do not hesitate to run all over the place and disturb others,” he says. So what does he do? “We politely tell their parents and ask the kids to be careful when they pick up the marbles from the vases and start throwing them around or break a glass or a plate, as the safety of our guests become our concern,” he adds. Handling kids is a touchy affair, says Vishwamittar of Chopsticks-22. “Some parents are strict disciplinarians and it shows even when they are eating out in a restaurant, but some do not care how their kids behave in public. Some kids even paint the walls of the restaurant when their parents are eating,” he adds. “We keep sweets and chocolates for the kids and that keeps them occupied for some time. At times if a child is too young and crying, we get one of our waiters to take the child out for a stroll,” he smiles. Who is to blame? Reasons Ravinder Singh, who runs a school in Mohali. “Parents want their children to be well-behaved, but they hardly have the time to inculcate those values. So, while their expectation is high, the contribution of the parents is nil towards the character building exercise. With ever-growing syllabus mounting pressure on the children, a school’s contribution is also next to nothing,” she adds. Ravinder has taken the task in her hands—especially when it comes to instilling table manners. “We provide lunch in our school and when a woman serves it in the trolley, the children are asked to say thank you and then join in a prayer before they eat. We also teach them how to bite a sandwich or eat noodles or how to hold a glass of water. Most importantly, how to ask for more,” she says. Her last sentence reminded us of Oliver Twist asking for a second helping of porridge in Charles Dickens’s novel. But the Olivers of our time are spoilt for choice and this is where the parents have to act — to help them make the right choice! parbina@tribunemail.com |
|
Greed for Green Puneet Garg City denizens’ greed for greenery became evident last month when a demolished nursery in Manimajra saw a large number of people rushing to the spot to grab plants. The city is known for its greenery. Looking at the neighbourhood parks and the flower beds in people’s homes in any of the sectors of the city bear the testimony that we indeed live in the Garden City. Residents don’t mind shelling a lot of money to maintain their home gardens and even the UT Administration plays an active role in maintaining the green cover. But, when presented with a chance to pick on plants absolutely free came their way, they jumped at the opportunity. They reached the spot with their family members and servants to pick the plants and loaded them in their swanky cars. The rush of vehicles continued throughout the day andnewspapers were full of pictures. Growing flowers and maintaining the green cover is one thing, but does that mean the city residents should do anything to fulfill their greed for greenery?
|
|
Planning to re-do your bedroom? Think bright colours, frescos and
Swarovsky-embedded ceilings Anandita Gupta It’s undergone a revolution, worthy of a telecast on the History Channel. Something like the Titanic’s British women in puritan gowns transforming into Bond girls! Or, the plain-Jane Jassi (and now Ugly Betty) turning a figure-flaunting, fashion diva. And no, this is not about a 40-something Shekhar Suman suddenly appearing in the muscle-rippling avatar. It’s rather about a room in your house. Not the much talked-about-bathroom ( you’ve recently started calling it the restroom) that you spent thousands on. The room in question here is the cosy cocoon we all dream about, or rather, dream in—your bedroom. A decade back, most of us would drift into a sweet slumber amidst soothing comfortable. A dream bedroom, hence, meant walls done up in pleasing pastels, a pair of plump pillows perched on a conventional square-shaped bed, a crisp cotton bedsheet neatly spread on a Curl-on mattress. At the most, there were satin curtains, laces, delicate floral patterns, candles, family photos et al to dress up the look. Subtle softness defined everything about your buodoir and bright, leave alone jazzy, was a big no no. But, not any more. The bedrooms of city’s new-age homes surely pack a hearty punch. These chambers are the protagonists that play with everything from funky colours to glitter studded jazz. A step into these rooms may no longer exuberate that comfy n’ cozy retreat feel, but it’s sure to bring in that ‘Arabian Nights meet Morocco’ feel. For, right from hand-woven silk brocades (silk and golden thread) and sumptuous silks to mosaic tables, brass lamps, jewellery boxes with the mother of pearl inlays and custom furniture, these bedrooms have it all. While interesting frescos are replacing wallpapers for the kids’ bedrooms, adult bedroom walls flaunt an iridescent range of glass mosaics and Swarovsky crystals embedded within the ceilings. No wonder, as one switches off the lights at night, the crystals come to life magically! Interior consultant Supreet Dhiman can’t help smiling, “We’ve got our hands full, not just with local assignments, but clients all over the region asking for brighter bedrooms. Especially, the people of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ludhiana are no longer scared to experiment. While the colour palette they play with is deliciously vibrant (read bright magnolia, burnt orange, raspberry, grass green, Arabian fuchsias and indigo!), jazzy embellishments add to the funk factor.” Says A. P. Singh of Besten & Co, “City people are falling in love with jazz, decorating their bedrooms with interesting frescos (scenes and characters painted on the wall), funky wall papers, flashy colours, mosaics and what not. Like my client Puneet Khanna got her bedroom done up quite intrestingly. While the master bedroom has bright Victorian wall paper with sunken lighting below the low seating and suspended lights above, her son’s bedroom in wine colour flaunts a mosaic walk-in-shower! Chips in Gurinder Singh, who’s recently elevated the appearance of his master bedroom to a league of pure opulance and royalty, “I wanted an eclectic and regal look to wake up to. So I’ve spruced up my room with flushes of black and gold, crystal light fittings, glass artefacts and textured glass wardrobes in the dressing area. And of course, instead of just a sleek leather sofa, there are luxury touches of a cashmere throw and silk and satin pillows.” Quips Gaurav Khaitan, “I’ve coordinated custom-made yellow coloured furniture with animal prints and jungle-theme bedspreads for one of my bedrooms.” Informs Poornima Sharma of CAPT Consultants,“The well-designed bedroom space today includes a layering of textures and fabrics. Curtains range from smooth and sleek, to knotty, nubbly and gauzy. Whether it’s crystal, etched, coloured or plain, glass is showing up in chandeliers, sconces, vases, mirrors and candlestick holders. But the hottest trend is sleek furniture, studded with gemstones. Bedrooms today flaunt walnut tables with small inserted base in mother of pearl and stone mint vases with embedded malachite or yellow jasper circles. Besides, painted ceiling with Swarovsky crystals and walls sprinkled with glitter dust offer a breathtaking look at night. No wonder, when it comes to their bedrooms, the city people are allowing themselves the luxury of total indulgence. Thinking plush…they’re surely giving this room the pride of place! anandita@tribunemail.com
|
|
Lull(a) before the storm Tying the knot at exotic locations across the country, the would-be-brides are nowadays parting ways with the traditional wedding wear. You may find it incredible, but so many of the prospective brides have actually come to parting of the ways with the good old, time-tested and still-considered customary lehnga-choli. Well, if you still haven't paired off with the idea, Bollywood's hottest fashion designer Neeta Lulla spills the beans. Life Style follows film style and this stitching sensation is the best gal to tell you all about it. Having designed the trousseau for Ash-Abhi's celebrated wedding (she was behind the scenes till the big day working on Ash’s mehndi and the wedding outfit), Neeta’s all clued in to the latest trends in wedding outfits. “Couples prefer to celebrate their bonding at far-from-the-hometown locations like Phuket, Goa and even Malaysia. And in the process, the number of invitees to the wedding is greatly reduced,” says the national award winner, adding, “No wonder, the brides do not feel the pressure of putting on stuff that's high on embellishments.” In Chandigarh for interacting with, and brushing up, the talent of the students of Sector 8 Inter National Institute of Fashion Designing (INIFD), Lulla says, “And then, there are the NRI weddings with special focus on style. In fact, they too prefer fitted trousseaus. As such, the stress now is more on cuts and fits. The stuff is definitely more chic and elegant.” Just in case, you wish to see some of her ensembles, just switch on the television set. Chances are that Bollywood heroines, indulging in matka-jhatkas, on the screen are wearing the stuff so dexterously planned by the cut-above-the-rest designer. For, she has over 300 films, countless shows and two decades as designer to her credit. Oh yes, she was the one who made Sridevi look so sensuous in blockbuster Chandni and designed some of Shilpa Shetty's clothes in Celebrity Big Brother. She has her flagship store in Mumbai and is planning one for Chandigarh too. For, she believes that fashion has a good market here. Flashing a smile, she concludes, “Otherwise also, they find the Indian stuff impressive because the designers here have creativity and are aware of global fashion trends. In the end, I just wish to say the budding fashion designers here have the capacity to bloom. They should not get disillusioned from the fact that everyone is trying to become a designer and the openings are relatively lesser. Well, there are allied fashion fields they can cut a niche for themselves in.”
|
|
Cashing in on her oomph
Smoky eyes, oval face and low-waste hip-hugging trousers… If you are watching Esha Deol in the promos of Anubhav Sinha’s Cash, you will be dazzled by her oomph. In Cash Esha plays a robber. Getting a new lease of life after Dhoom, Ankahee, No Entry, Dus, Kaal, Masti, LoC Kargil and Honeymoon, Esha is getting all the right attention with her glamorous role in Cash. While talking to Life Style about her looks, she says, “All this is for the film. That is not the real me. Viewers like to see a good body.”
I am confident that Cash will do well at the box office.
First of all, the script. It has to be interesting. But the banner and the director also count.
It was wonderful. Anubhav is superb technically. He is one of the best directors in
Wonderful again. Ajay Devgan is very professional. Zayed Khan, Riteish Deshmukh, Shamita and Dia Mirza are all great people to know. They all made me comfortable on the sets.
I want to do all kinds of roles.
Rohit Shetty’s Sunday, Janmat and Darling are my forthcoming films. — Dharam Pal
|
|
SIDELANES Planters — the two-legged variety, scores of them, accompanied by their wives and children, elegantly attired, genteel, exuding typical planter confidence and charisma. We met up with them at a wedding. All retirees, they had led luxurious, almost Victorian lives in huge bungalows located on far off plantations. Their homes were the last true bastions of the British Raj. Bearers with gloves and caps, separate cooks for Indian and continental menus, a group of maalis for the vegetable and fruit gardens and another for the lawns and flowers, still others who would climb trees to pick unreachable fruit. Two cows for the baba logs needs, feather-light sponge cakes and paper-thin cucumber sandwiches for tea and a loud gong to say khana tiyari hai! It was a nostalgic gathering. Nita and Nishi did planter traditions proud. The most encouraging fact was that everyone was into a new pursuit. There was a period, planters were looked upon as playboys and after retirement maintained the style but not the work culture of the estates. I often wondered why so much agricultural know-how and personnel management was not utilised by the government and industries. The Defence Force, which has only personnel experience, is valued for its skills and land plum jobs. But not the planters, who have weathered gheraoes, calmed mobs, negotiated releases and often laid down their lives for the company. Suresh Bhalla died fighting for discipline and more production. Rajat Banerji was kidnapped and killed in a botched rescue attempt. Nandan Kilpadi was kidnapped but returned home safe, undoubtedly because of his charm, verbal skills, humanitarian attitude and impeccable WOG (western-oriental-gentleman) manners. The government took these horrific incidents in their stride and did not acknowledge the victims’ great contribution to the industry. I found the fraternity too laid back and often butted in to ask why they did not push their varied expertise towards greener pastures as they were capable of wearing so many different hats—personnel and factory management, labour welfare, production, union negotiation, agricultural practices, event management, sportsmanship and being party animals. The men would clink glasses at the bar, listen politely and look at me as if I was talking in Pentecostal tongues. Today, with the government treating the tea and coffee industries like abandoned children, planters are leaving the estates to get into new lines where their multifaceted skills are put to good use. Rahul Bedi left in the early seventies to work for the UN at Basle, M. P. S. Sidhu heads Milagro, Roma K. Singh is into organic foods, Mickey Chimni is delving into diverse, rotational crops, Ash Bhatia’s management skills shore up Fortis, Balli Sukhachakia, apart from giving a lot back to the community, writes and was chosen the model Stephanian, the day Shashi Tharoor gave the St. Stephens 150th anniversary, valedictory address, Gilman Hazarika is doing sterling work with the Prince Charles Foundation, Navin Chopra criss-crosses the north for ICFAI, Jassi Grewal is the perfect golfing coach, Diltaj Grewal runs Fabindia with organisational prowess honed to perfection as a burra mem. There are many more in Chandigarh—all gentlemen and ladies of great endurance and capability. One cannot live on an estate without acquiring courage, strength, varied skills, discipline, grace and elegance. I am glad I too was a part of this great community.
|
|
Initiating treatment in early osteoarthritis is effective if conscientiously undertaken. Weight loss and exercise should be encouraged. — Dr Ravinder Chadha
|
|||||||||||||
|
TAROT TALK
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
This 
ARIES: You draw “Nine of Wands” which puts you through a touching and transforming personal experience. Lively conversation makes the weekend a good time to connect with someone new or settle a problem in an existing relationship. Lucky colour: Royal blue. Tip of the week:: Understanding your priorities helps to cut away negativity.
LIBRA: “ Two of Wands” leads to actualisation of personal and professional plans. You fulfill a heart’s desire. Just watch out for bouts of emotions on Saturday. Meditation and spiritual pursuits are elevating. Lucky colour: Emerald green. Tip: Focus on the better to mitigate the bitter.
TAURUS: 'The
Knight of Pentacles' brings healing and attention to practical
matters. Coming across as a straight shooter makes it safe to try
just about anything now. Lucky colour: Cherry. Tip: Take limited
risks and don’t jeopardise your long-term capitals.
SCORPIO: “ The Four of Swords ” sends a remarkable indication that now is the moment to achieve family happiness. Don't waste time counting pennies this week. Look at the overall cost of things and try to balance your budget. Lucky Colour: Golden. Tip: Be positive and think carefully before taking action.
GEMINI: You draw “ Nine of Cups” if you feel a close one has got one up on you; don’t get stuck in your feelings. Your partner supports you in everything you do. You need to control your tongue to avoid complications. Lucky colour: Wine red. Tip: Try to put your terms and conditions in writing. 
SAGITTARIUS: “The Hanged Man” shows some decisive moments as well as surprises in store for you. You will be optimistic about developments on the career front. Chance encounters will help you clarify some of your reservations about new business ventures.Lucky Colour: Brick red. Tip: New offers must be put on hold as their outcome is uncertain. 
CANCER: You have drawn the Magician card. The card symbolises intelligence, not necessarily used for a constructive purpose. New ventures and plans are foreseen for some. Business people need to strive hard and diligently. Lucky colour: Brown. Tip: You may have to treat people with a lot of charity. 
CAPRICORN: “The Nine of Pentacles” showers blessing on lovers. Over the next four days established duties may be revised to include added paperwork. Expect key officials to provide faulty instructions or inadequate guidance. Stay focused and wait for progress. Lucky colour: Peacock blue. Tip: Take new challenges in your strides and deal with them sensibly. 
LEO: You drawn the “Tower card” this symbolises a setback in plans. Financially you have to win over an influential audience and make a pitch for a deal. You shoulder new responsibilities. Lucky colour: Yellow. Tip: You have to push to succeed and your efforts will pay off.
AQUARIUS: “Five of Cups” takes you through difficult speculative situation. Emotional relationships are temporary as you come out of them. You must learn to practice patience and avoid flying off the handle until you know exactly what is happening. A Taurus or Scorpio person will give you optimistic advice. Lucky colour: Ruby. Tip: Focus new light on your emotional and spiritual place. 
VIRGO: “The Queen of Cups” clouds your vision with emotions, you have the space to be creative, poet & artistic. Finances need urgent sorting and your idea and plan is to invest and save wisely for a secure future. Lucky Colour: Lotus pink. Tip: Don’t do anything at the cost of health.
PISCES: You draw “The Star” what you have been dreaming and wishing for has come true in part. Be careful not to burn the candle at both ends, or there'll be heavy consequences to be paid. Independent entrepreneurs will be working hard at new projects. Lucky colour: Burgundy. Tip: Think positive and be optimistic.