|
|
|
|
|
We may not celebrate Rakhi as we used to, but the ties with tradition are getting stronger with ethnic rakhis making a comeback
|
|
Gift of Love
But all that waiting and excitement about this day has got more to it. Rakhi means a promise, festivity and a gift fiesta (lot of moolah also in case of girls). It is one day when you can ask for that expensive and fancy designer bag or a perfect black dress and your brother cannot refuse. He is like a blank cheque that is waiting to be drawn in your favour. Agrees Shoma Mehta, who runs a boutique in Sector-22: “For me Rakhi is special for two reasons — my brother and my gift. It’s the only day when I am the boss to my brother.” Well, it’s also the day to make some easy cash, thanks to your brother. Says Rimpy Dhillon, a botany student from Panjab University: “I feel happy tying a rakhi and more than that I like that my brother gives me money.” And what about the promise of protection? “It’s not necessary to have a brother to protect you. Times have changed and girls can take care of themselves. I like the festival for the sheer pleasure of spending the entire day with my brother which otherwise is not possible,” says Manisha Nagi. For some, it’s the day of ‘shop till you drop’. Shares Minni Sharma, a student from GCG-11: “Rakhi means the big shopping day. My brother takes me out on a shopping spree and he ends up almost bankrupt. I love this day.” Who wouldn’t? And if all you brothers out there are feeling biased, then relax. This festival brings equal amount of cheer for you too. Along with the mithai comes a gift that shows the love and appreciation of a sister. Says Lalit Khiani, a student from SD College-32: “My sister is elder to me and every rakhi she gifts me something that I have been wanting to buy myself. Last year, she got me a swanky mobile phone. I am keeping my fingers crossed this time too.” Well, it’s raining gifts. Talk of changing concepts, we have one for rakhi as well. Chandan Nagi thinks rakhi is just like celebrating Friendship Day, but with your sister. “By tying the thread, me and my sister affirm our friendship and love towards each other”. Of course, there are gifts too. Hmm…so be it the traditional symbolic reverence or alluring gifts, rakhi remains to be the cheerful and most awaited festival with Gen Y.
|
|
Living on the edge
They stare death in the face. They like bumpy rides better than the smooth ones. And they live to challenge life. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security is a superstition that does not exist in nature. Indeed. Only those who’ve traded comfort for adventure know what it takes to be swarmed in difficult situations where either you have a chance to do or die. The thrill and adrenaline rush that come from challenging one’s own abilities. Facing death in the face, only to return with some ‘minor and major injuries’. And people, this is just the beginning. These are the people who are ready to swap careers and luxuries for one thing that bring a glint in their eyes — adventure. So, what do they get out of it? Fractured bones, sprained muscles, dozen stitches…Is the thrill valuable than life? “Of course,” Soli Sethi, city-based gemologist and adventure freak, makes it loud and clear. “Aren’t we all living life? Playing safe all the time?” elaborates Soli, who also runs an adventure club called clubfootloose. “I believe in adding meaning to life, and for me it comes through adventure. We take life for granted, it’s only when we face near death situations do we begin to value our breathes. Abrupt U-turns in life make it more exciting.” Well, Soli, who is first to climb scaled Umasila glacier (18,500 feet above sea level) after 16 years and is also a hard-core rallyist. “Adventure is more than cycling on the rugged terrains, or climbing rocky mountains. It’s like stretching my abilities and it allows me to see how far I can go with myself. Besides, once in a while one wants to get away from the comfort of the usual routine.” Well, we have someone who already has given up the comfort of swanky office for labyrinth of roads and meandering treks, there is nothing like a failure in adventure. Meet 27-year-old Vaibhav Nijhowne, who strongly detests the word ‘failure’. “I don’t recommend this word,” says Vaibhav, a freelance adventurer, who has been a mountain biker instructor in Karnataka and Uttaranchal. “To me, adventure is about facing your own inhibitions and fears. A trekker can lose his way, a mountain biker can break his bones, but that does not mean they have failed. It is learning process, where you better yourself with time.” Takes a lot of courage to break your bones as well? “Yes. Progression comes with pain and if you haven’t experienced that, you can’t move on,” says Vaibhav. With pain comes experience and this young guy has had enough of the. But he wouldn’t stop. “It challenges you to synchronise your body and mind.” It certainly isn’t, at least this is what these people think. Because it involves not only grit, oodles of confidence but a good deal of money too. Meet another adventure freak, who enjoys challenging himself time and again. Mandeep Singh, has been rallying from Plus two and he has seen death from close quarters. But it hasn’t stopped him from participating in rallies. We wonder, what keeps him going? “A fighter instinct,” bang comes the reply. “The fatal injuries that I’ve had have added to my strength and not give up come what may,” says Mandeep, who is religious about his date with adventure that takes place once or twice a year. “Adventure keeps me alive. I would have given up everything had it not been for my rallies. Not only do they break the monotony of work, they add a fresh lease of life as well. And they help me understand life and nature so much better.” Life without adventure is pretty unsatisfying to them, but what about the awful risks involved? Laughs Soli, “Death itself is an adventure. Isn’t it? Life without adventure is almost like driving on a smooth road with no bumps, which gets boring after a while. You need a pothole to shake you up from the monotony.” jasmine@tribunemail.com
|
|
Pet Pal
BRINGING a dog home? It’s not as simple as buying oranges. It’s like making place for a new member in the family or as important as buying a house or a car. If the car or home was too expensive to maintain, it would impact your decision, as would the size of the vehicle or how many bedrooms the house has. The same holds true for a pet. One wrong pick can ruin you’re and your pet’s life but the right one could give you a lifetime of happy memories, companionship and loads of fun! Pick a pet depending on the size of your family, house and lifestyle. “It’s like bringing a baby home,” says Sameer Singh, a dog lover. “You can’t afford to take a chance with it. This means the family should be very careful while buying a pet. No place for goof-ups. You have the safety and suitability of your family to look out for.” Family wiseSO, you’ve decided to bring a dog home? But before you get the pet, how about doing a little ‘count’ of the family members! Two or three members means you could go for a cuddly pet, and if the count is more, well, then you can pet a hound as well. Says Rajat Handa, owner, Animal Kingdom: “Family or size of the house are secondary. The key word here is responsibility. It should become a religion to take care of the pet and not just a duty.” So how do you know which dog suits your family? “Nuclear or small families should always go in for dogs that are easy to handle, like cocker spaniel or pugs. While a relatively big family can go in for any kind of breeds,” suggests Rajat, who feels that eventually everything boils down to taking care of the dog. He adds: “At the same time, it is advisable to select a dog as per the space in your house. You can’t keep a huge dog in a flat; you would be making the dogs life hell. Without ample space to walk around, the dog will obviously feel suffocated.” Puppy loveDOGS love people, mostly children. The relation between canine and humankind is considered to be strongest. So, the prerequisite is to give a friendly environment to the dog. Amritpal Sohi, another pet lover who has three boxers and three cocker spaniels, believes that it’s good to get small pet if your kid is also small. “This way the child and pet will bind better. They would be growing together and understanding each other well. But with small kids, bring in a friendly breed and not those ferocious kinds.” As per Rahul Singh, a kennel owner in Jalandhar, “Find a dog that is good with children. Some breeds are tolerant towards children while others are not. So, select a breed that enjoys to be with the family”. Work wise
ANOTHER thing took out for while choosing a pet is your working lifestyle. “You don’t expect the poor dog to sulk and brood the whole day while you are at work,” says Rajat. “There should be someone back home to take care of the pet. You cannot leave your dog to the servants.” They are indeed the most faithful friends you can ever have. So, how about giving them what they deserve- a caring owner and a good home. Are they asking too much? jasmine@tribunemail.com |
|
Little Interview
THE producer-actress Aroona Irani needs no introduction. Besides producing serials and films she has acted in over 300 films. With many memorable performances to her credit, she is now going to be a judge with choreographer Loninus Fernandes (Longi of Jhalak Dikhla ja) on Sahara One. It’s one of the biggest dance reality shows comprising 15 saas and 15 bahus of various television shows. Aroona Irani whose serials Doli Saja ke and Naagin are already on air, is on her way to fulfilling her dream — being a judge on the small screen. Life Style chats with actress-producer Aroona on the latest n
What prompted you to be a judge on the show? I love dancing. The dance reality shows are providing a great platform for the talented. Saas vs Bahu is an interesting concept. I am really looking forward to it. n
How is it different? It’s a different concept altogether. Apart from that, stars not seen on reality shows earlier will be seen here. n
How is Loninus Fernandes? He has choreographed more than 200 videos. He has to his credit films like Dil Vil Pyaar Vyar, Moksh, Saawaria and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. It is going to be wonderful being on the show with Longi. n
How are you planning to approach this show? I am more of a friend and I’ll encourage the participants. n
What makes you qualify as a good judge? Well, I am an actor, producer and director. And I am good as an audience too. I think these would make me a fair judge. n
Is Aroona Irani a family person? Yes. I prefer spending time with my husband and family members. — D.P. |
|
Soaring high
A student of class X, St. Kabir Public -26, Janhavi started writing at the age of seven. “It was initially my mother who encouraged me to pen down my thoughts in form of verse. I gradually fell in love with the art of writing and took it up seriously at the age 13,” she avers . Her poems are a regular feature in the school magazine. “Four of my poems that are included in this book also feature in my school magazine,” she informs. Being an only child, she comes from a family, which is unfamiliar with the nuances of literature. So what inspires her? “Anything that tickles my mind and touches me. It has to be something that can prompt me to pick the pen and write down a stream of words in my diary,” tells Janhavi. Ask her about her favorite writer and she replies: “I am a die hard fan of Ruskin Bond but right now I am reading Brian Weiss.” Well, one lucky girl she is. The foreword of her book has been written by no one else but Ruskin Bond. She is currently reading The Kite Runner, which she defines as an amazing book, which also reflects a journey of a small boy. While sharing her happiness with us, she says: “I feel good that my family and friends are proud of me. The book has given me an opportunity to bring out my thoughts, which will now be shared with the readers.” Does she sees herself writing in the near future as well? She answers with all an aplomb: “It’s too early to say anything but I would like to continue my passion for writing and someday, maybe, write short stories. You never know.”
|
|
Spice up This monsoon enjoy the splash, and don’t worry about how you look. Just follow some basic points for a refreshing skin feeling. Stay away from heavy foundation. Go for compact powder instead. Pressed powder can be a better option in hot and humid weather as it soaks oil and sweat and leaves the skin fresh and clean. Compact powders are also ideal for touch ups. It’s worth carrying wet tissues and compact powder in your handbag, to refresh both skin and make-up. If you have to apply foundation, use an astringent lotion or skin tonic. It is better than moisturiser. Use it under the foundation. Astringent lotions also help to close the pores. After cleansing the skin, apply astringent lotion, with cotton wool. After few minutes, wrap an ice cube in a clean cloth and apply it on the skin, for a few seconds. A heavy foundation become caked and streaky with perspiration, and brings up natural creases, lines and wrinkles. Go easy on foundation and apply very little of it. A water-based foundation rather than a creamy one works best for the humid season. Add a drop or two of water for a lighter coverage. Go for cake foundations or pansticks by adding little water to them. Cake Foundations are different from liquid or creamy foundations and provide a smooth, matte finish. They are solid so add water before application. This prevents the skin from looking oily and shiny. Use a damp sponge to apply them. Dust some loose powder over the foundation. It helps make-up last longer. Avoid applying too much powder around eyes. Dust off excess with cotton wool. This season the matte look is in. Heavy foundation and shine on the face are definitely out. Eye make-up trends favour the smudged and smoky look. Eye make-up is becoming heavier. Eye liner is thicker on upper eye lids and extended outwards and slightly upwards. For the lower eyelids, a lighter effect is in, using eyeliner and then smudging it with a little shadow. Use waterproof eyeliner or stick to eye pencil. Avoid mascara, rather go easy on it. Smoky look for the eyes with golden bronze shadow or silver-grey shadow may be good and also trendy. Frosted sheen, gloss or shimmer is popular for the lips. During the humid season, a frosty finish for the lips would have a cooler effect than gloss. Lip liners match the lipstick –no obvious darker outline around lips as in the past. Pale pinks, mauves and earthy colours will continue to be popular for lips. On the other hand, red and shades of red are making a comeback, like cherry, rose, plum and red. A warm red would be good for the night. But if it suits the colour of the bridal attire. The trend is towards the natural look with less blush-on. A faint flush would be suitable. Go for powder blushers. Keep your lipsticks in the fridge during the monsoons. In fact, skin tonic can also be kept in the fridge, chilled and ready for use. It can be most refreshing and help to close the pore. Ayurveda suggests some remedies to decrease sweating. Sip “nimbu paani”. Sip ginger tea before and after your meals. Chop fresh ginger root finely and mix with a pinch of salt. Chew a little of this before your meal. Sipping warm water with your meal may also help. Light diet and less spices are advised. Eat smaller meals. (This column appears weekly)
|
|
BON APPETIT Kandla Nijhowne Musty earth smells…the percussion of the rolling thunder…the bulging clouds complete with the proverbial silver lining. When the pitter-patter starts and we are forced indoors, we seek refuge in our favourite book or a TV show, or simply gaze through the windowpanes, humming “Raindrops Keep Falling…” or a “Barkha-bahaar” number. Under these circumstances, wouldn’t a plate of crispy pakoras or a raisin and almond-studded halwa be delightful? But wait! Hang on to your umbrellas and try your hand at something new. Something different. Corn Fritters
(An angrezi version of our pakoras with a twist!) Method Leave about ½ inch of space between the fritters in the pan. Flip the fritters when they are nicely browned on one side and fry the other side. Remove and serve with ketchup.
|
|
Junk food can make kids naughty
KIDS who are brought up on a diet of junk food are more likely to be badly behaved at school, experts have warned. Sugary and fatty snacks have been blamed for naughtiness and poor concentration, leading to campaigns for healthier lunches. Research has now found that if children are given bad diet as young as three the damage has already been done by the time they go to school. Studies showed that pupils who had been fed processed grub as toddlers were the worst behaved in class and performed the worst in tests. The findings emerged from a major study by the University of London's Institute for Education. The probe, part of the Bristol Children of the 90s medical research project, looked at data from 14,000 children. It found that those on a junk food diet aged three were less likely to achieve the expected levels of improvement between six and ten."We are confident that this is a robust association. It indicates that early eating patterns have effects that persist over time, regardless of later changes in diet," The Sun quoted Dr Pauline Emmett, a nutritionist from the University of Bristol, as saying. "So it is very important for children to eat a well-balanced diet from an early age if they are to get the best out of their education," Emmett added. The study showed that a child's diet at a later age has less impact on their school performance.
— ANI |
|
Telly
Tales Din ya raat, our TV stars are always loaded with heavy duty make-up Jasmine Singh
HERE comes a piece of good news for all you girls who want be on the television. Better still, do you want to be a part of the rona dhona brigade. Simple. Not much of an investment. You just have to be good with three things; rather you should be good at carrying them - loud make-up, loud make-up and loud make-up!
And if you have taken part in some nukkad ramlila, well, then you can certainly apply for this. Creative, talented, workaholics please excuse. Television needs people who can carry a kilo make-up on their face at any given point in the serial. Here is a tip off- if you have a good skin, which can stand any kind of make- up, infact any brand desi ya videshi, then this is your chance to dazzle on the screen. Garish make up. Yes, you will find more than half, or need we say the entire television soaked in oodles of pancake, roose, strange coloured scary eye shadows and lipsticks. “She almost looks like she has drunk a glass of red, very red, blood,” tells one of my friend, when she saw Kamolika (Kasuati Zindagi Kay). “What the hell has she done to herself? Who has done her make- up on the first place? Doesn’t she have a mirror around? Didn’t anyone tell her she is looking yuck,” she adds, peeping into the mirror to check whether her make up was proportionate. All said and done, but I certainly admire the make up artists’ creativity. If only someone could tell me, which school teaches them to draw those awfully long, spiral, triangular, horizontal, hexagonal, pentagonal, and octagonal bindis! Hats off to the makeup guys and their imagination. They are so rrreal in their work. Not only the artists, I admire the actors for carrying this make-up so well. They truly deserve a standing ovation for wearing make-up as loud and garish you can imagine. And the best part, these actors can carry the bhaar with a smile at any moment. Be it day or night, khushi ya ghum, shaddi ya birthday, Diwali ya Holi, the damn good makeup is always in place. Not a chip comes out from here or there. Not even, when the leading lady sobs her heart out, thinking about her husbands’ extra marital affair. She carries it in her stride so well. Can’t help admiring the makeup ‘brand’. Guys, which brands do you use? Also tell me, have you ever been to any shok sabha? I sincerely pray you never attened one. But, you are not supposed to wear make-up on occasions like these. Then why submit our actors to such ludicrousness on television. Especially when the only thing that we talk about is reality TV. But this is way too much to ask for. Hindi serials and reality. I wish Ekta could bridge the gap betwen the two. Is this real? Loud make up, so loud that it immediately wants you to either change the channel or ask the director- Sir apkey stars ka make-up kisney kiya hai? Yeh karigiri kiski hai?
|
|||
|
ACTOR Lindsay Lohan has blasted reports that her 14-year-old sister had a boob job. Ali Lohan was seen flaunting “new curves” at a Jonas Brothers concert in New York last week, sparking rumours she had gone under the knife to enhance her cleavage. However, big sister Lindsay has blasted the reports, insisting the pair’s mother Dina would never let Ali have plastic surgery. “It made me feel a bit sick to my stomach. My response simply was, ‘Did you really just ask me that? She is a 14-year-old girl, and you are a pedophile!’” US magazine quoted her, as stating in her blog. Lindsay added, “All I am trying to say is that I was raised with a wonderful family surrounding me. Of course, we have our ups and downs, but all in all, my mother taught us to appreciate what we have been given. Nor would she ever encourage, or allow a 14-year-old child to alter her body.” Lindsay went on to say that she doesn’t judge people who do have plastic surgery. “I am just saying that it’s not something that my family finds necessary to do, especially when you’re not even fully developed yet!” she stated. She ends her post with a shout-out to girlfriend Samantha Ronson: “I miss Samantha cuz she’s out of town.” — ANI
|
|
Posh not desperate
SPICE girl Victoria Beckham may scrap her plans to open a Las Vegas club with best pal Eva Longoria Parker, courtesy hubby David Beckham. If sources are to be believed, Posh and Parker are going into business together by opening a fancy new club which will incorporate Longoria’s restaurant Beso and a high-rollers casino, but David is concerned that his wife is taking on too much and doesn't want her to become too involved with the venture. "She asked Victoria to come on board and help. Victoria was thrilled and talked it through with her husband David, but he thought she was spreading herself a bit thin and should concentrate on what she was good at - running a successful fashion line and looking after the family," the source added.
— ANI |
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Anyone would have expected modernity to weave itself delicately in the intricate designs of rakhis after all these years. After all, we are living in an age of ever-developing microprocessors and chips, which turn mobiles into palmtops and computers into super brain machines. 
Silk threads soaked in love and yummy mithai that used to symbolise sister’s love for brother have suffered after the invasion of technology and further dampening the spirit is busy schedules of people. Traversing back in time, people share with us their nostalgia and how the festival celebrations have undergone a sea change. 
“Rakhi gave us an opportunity to celebrate relationships. In our family Rakshabandhan was a big family affiar. Relatives like my husband’s bua and his sister used to come down to tie rakhi to my son,” avers Nikki Sood, homemaker and resident of Sector 28. She laments the changes that have sneaked ever since, “I still remember the relatives traveling from as far as Mumbai. Today online rakhis have replaced the real thread”. 
Satya Malhotra, a retired teacher and resident of Sector 61 says, “The festival was a worthwhile excuse to invite relatives and prepare home made recipes. We enjoyed cooking coconut ladoos called rodu at my native place, gheor a sweetmeat made out of sugar and atta and then I even used to make tilak at home with haldi and lemon juice.”Recalling the earlier days she adds, “Times have changed and so has the meaning of festival. It more of a ‘rush rush affair now.”
ON at least one day a year, brothers have to show their love for their sisters and be nice! On this day, sisters too, tell their brothers how they really feel deep down. It’s called Raksha Bandhan, a simple act of tying a thread on your brother’s hand symbolising their wish for the welfare of her brother and the brother’s commitment to always stand by and protect her.
Metamorphosis is a heavy word that is used in the dictionary of those who do not live life as a constant. And metamorphosis is how Janhavi Malhotra defines life as. All of 15, the relatively new entrant to the literary world launches her debut release, Aloft on Wings of Grit. “It’s a collection of 28 poems written by me, titled after my poem Wings of Grit, which reflect gradual growth of a caterpillar to a butterfly. It symbolises our struggles and how we can overcome them,” says Janhavi. This book is a compilation of her poems on varied topics like poverty, love and life. The book is inaugrated by General (Retd.) S.F.Rodrigues, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, Chandigarh. The book is being published by Little Magic Words.
1 cup flour
