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What’s in a name?
Everything!
As parenting becomes more and more focused, with mum and dad making it a priority to raise their kids in the best way, we find baby names are being carefully chosen for emotional significance and meaning they carry. While modern parents are not only getting inventive by creating new names but also re-doing spellings to create a new moniker. “Emotional quotient obviously takes priority but then meaning of the name is also important,” says Payal Saboo, designer and stylist, Polka-8. Ask her what was in her mind when she named her boy. “Meaning of the name was important but then I also wanted it to sound good and the most important factor was I wanted to name my son starting with V.” Ask her why and she says, “My father’s name starts with V and my husband’s name too starts with V and this was more than a reason for me to name my son Viraaj, which means the Sun.”
“Baby names have become synonymous to parents’ good taste. Gone are the days when parents would name their kid after an actor or some hero. These days young parents think and choose a name that has a great meaning, sounds great and has a character to it,” says Nitin Karol, an investment consultant and a resident of Sector-61. What about the aid from Internet? “Internet has come as a boon for baby names. Before we chose a name for our daughter we Googled and came up with 300 names. Short-listed 50 to 15, to five and then to one —Sanvi,” he replies. “The name clicked and Sanvi too responded to only this name, as we called out the best five names to her,” says Nitin. For Dilpreet and Prabhjot, they named their son Mehtab. Ask them on their choice and they say, “It’s a wish of every parent that they come up with an unique name for their baby. We too wanted our boy’s name to sound good and have a great meaning, as they say—a name is a reflection of being.” While they too admit that Internet is a blessing, Dilpreet says, “There’s a world waiting to be explored when it comes to baby sites on Internet. In fact, you have the sites where you put the birth date and time and you would get the suitable letter and name for your baby.” Ritika and Anand Gupta, both bankers in a private bank in Delhi, have named their son Shorya. Ask them on their take and they chorus, “Naming the baby is a very important decision, as the name will ring in your ears for all your life and will be an identity for your kid.” Anand adds, “I lost my father when I was in college and he liked the name Shorya. Though we wanted to name our son Rudra, but then this was the only way I could connect to my father. And whenever I call out his name I can feel my father smile.” Well, gone are the days when parents would wait for the pandit to take out a letter and suggest a name for the baby. Parents these days have a list to decide from. “Like every parent my wish too is to give my child a unique name,” says Misha Dewan, lawyer. While her wish includes a great meaning, her reason is, “A name is always reflective of one’s personality and the meaning is a reflection of the inner soul. So, for me meaning of the name is the most important thing.” jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com |
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Pun intended
Anyone endowed with a keen observation power and a considerable hold over the language, would like to tell a tale. Long years of experience as an advertising guy in Mumbai, Vinay Kanchan too had some interesting facts to share. Facts like the great wars fought in the conference rooms, the friends and foes in the guise of a colleague or a boss and the politics that goes on unchecked. So, he started blogging with Sulekha.com, initially to get a feel of it and express himself. But what started as a one-night stand soon turned into a life-long passion. And the response he received from his reader’s added fuel to it. So huge was the response that Sulekha decided to publish the collection of his blogs in a book form The Madness Starts at 9: Life and Times in an Ad Agency, which happens to be the publishing house’s fifth book in this series. “I got hooked to blogging because it is an interactive medium. You get an instant feedback which is important for a writer,” says Vinay. In the book, which is yet to be officially released, Vinay’s sense of humour comes out as a strongest point. Even before one gets into the content, the titles are good enough to evoke laughter — Vision Impossible, Killing Me Softly with Your Words, Whose Life Is It Anyway, I Know What You Did Last Summer and so on. And, he captures the office drama through nine characters. “Comedy has takers,” he explains over a telephonic interview. ‘If you look at the trend in Bollywood it is this genre of films which is doing good. Yes, maybe everybody can use a good laugh after a stressful day. But what about growing as a writer? Is it wise to confine oneself with a particular genre or style? “Yes, one should at least try four or five genres to keep the freshness going. I too have written a few things which are not humour based,” says Vinay. And those few things include a movie script, which is essentially a thriller. “But my next book will again be in this series, as too many people have not written on office humour, and this is where I want to make my niche,” he adds. Well, this is not all about Vinay. This freelance strategic and ideation consultant and sports freak is also busy patronising a footballing movement called Juhu Beach United that in his words, celebrates the ‘unfit, out of breath working professional of today’. A thoroughbred corporate guy, we would say. The Madness Starts at 9 which was officially released on the Net in November last year will be available in Chandigarh book stores in a week’s time. parbina@tribunemail.com
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Picks & piques Mona
With a name and scope like Australia, Baz Luhrmann had a huge canvas at his disposal. But sadly, the immensely talented director, who is known for the widely applauded Moulin Rouge, could only muster a tiny brush stroke this time. And it's not that Baz doesn't try. In fact, he tries too hard and probably that's where the trouble begins. To lend his project a broad appeal, the film maker stuffs it with themes like cattle drives, the stolen generations, bombing of Darwin and of course a blossoming romance between an aristocratic English widow and an Australian cowboy, increasing the runtime to mammoth 165 minutes, which makes the flick look like a tedious, overlong epic in need of extreme pruning. The story takes off just before World War II when Lady Sarah Ashley (Kidman) goes to Australia to join her husband who is running a cattle ranch there. When she arrives, she finds her husband murdered. She decides to take the help of an abs- flaunting Drover (Jackman) to get her cattle across the treacherous terrains to Darwin where they can be sold off to Army and also save them from a greedy cattleman (Bryan Brown) and his evil partner (David Wenham). There's also a subplot, a touching story of a little boy, Nullah (Brandon Walters), of mixed blood, who serves as a symbol for the stolen generations and racism, the issue, which has been neatly dealt with. The movie could have been a much better watch had the director got a decent editor. The tardy pace of the movie adds to restlessness as one sees a baggage of mixed messages hurled at you one after the other. The lead actors deliver an okay performance. While Kidman fares well, Jackman is good value, as usual. The scene stealer is Walters who plays the young Aborigine boy, Nullah who is also narrator of the story and with whom Ashley forms a motherly bond. A word about cinematography. Down Under looks breathtaking in Luhrmann's lens. Being a native, presenting the stunning side of the outback is a cakewalk for him. In terms of scenes, a sequence involving a cattle stampede is particularly impressive, while Darwin bombings briefly remind you of Pearl Harbour. Overall, it is a disappointing film that desperately wants to create an old-world charm but falls short on depth and class. mona@tribunemail.com
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Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio doesn't mind the fact that he hasn't won an Oscar, and insists that he hasn't yet reached his full potential in the movie industry. The 34-year-old has many hits under his name, including Catch Me If You Can and Beach, reports the China Daily.
"The truth of the matter is that I have a lot to prove to myself still as an actor. And I still have that kind of thirst to want to do a performance that I'm happy with," Leonardo said. Leonardo, who worked with his Titanic co-actor Kate Winslet in Revolutionary Road, revealed that the actor' attitude to the industry has radically changed in the past years. "It's interesting to see her after all these years and be in a working environment with her because she's still got that same bizarre professionalism that she had in her early 20s," Leonardo said. "She's still a committed actor, she's still fervent about making every detail of her character come alive, but now she's way more in control of that," he added.— ANI
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'Trust' worthy
Hollywood comedian Jim Carrey has vowed to give his longtime actor girlfriend Jenny Mccarthy a financially secure future.
The Mask star has set up a $50 million (35 million pounds) trust fund for the actor despite insisting they will never marry, reports contactmusic.com. The actor, 46, has earned an estimated $200 million (140 million pounds) so far with his blockbuster comedies and is desperate to make sure 36-year-old McCarthy is set for life. "He adores her and credits her with his better health and happier outlook on life. (He) wants her to have all the perks in life should anything happen to him," said a source. The pair began dating in December 2005. —IANS
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Cate Blanchett
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Pretty in pink
Pink…black…pink…Pink or Black? And she wrote a novel out of it. And it sold one lakh copies! We're talking about its author, Tishaa Khosla and on Saturday, the young writer was presented with the last of one lakh copies of the book, by the publisher Rupa and Co. Let's see what she has to say… One-lakh copies in four months and still counting? She says, "When I was writing, I myself did not expect it would do this well, but it feels amazing and I am so happy." If not the prediction of success (as is generally the case with first ventures), then what was going on in her mind while she set to write? Answers Tishaa, "I felt the need to reach out to as many people as possible, especially teens of my age who face the similar problems everywhere and writing a book seemed the best way out." And reach she did. As Tishaa says, "I receive so many mails and lot of youngsters come and tell me, mine was the first book they read and how it introduced them to reading." Bet the torchbearers of erudite, scholarly, writings will hate this. What about the trend of youngsters entering the literary scene? She laughs, "It's good because I myself am young." She adds, "It's positive as they are bringing in so many new things. Moreover, many people and youth are able to relate to their stories." What about blogging? Does she have any blogs? She says, "I don't have the time for it, but I think it's a great medium in many ways. Every one is net savvy these days and one can express oneself without fear." Coming back to hers being the first book of many teens, the lady's own first book was one from J.K.Rowling's Harry Potter series. Her own book too is said to be short listed by a filmmaker, about which she doesn't have the concrete information to share. Speaking of books and films, does a three-hour movie do justice to the 500 page book? She says, "Honestly I don't think so. Doing justice to the original piece is not possible. Even the Harry Potter movies are not up to the level of the book. But then it should be viewed as a completely different form." Already on at her second book, she says, "It's going to be a romantic comedy sort of thing." Now that again, sounds like, will be lapped up fast. manpriya@tribunemail.com
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Back to the roots
It would be nothing short of blasphemy to talk of wine and Vedas in the same breath. An exception can be made in the case of Satyapal Choujar. The man is connected to both and for the right reasons. One being a profession and the other a passion. The wine contractor from Chandigarh, having been the president of Chandigarh Wine Makers Association, resigned last April, to devote more time to Pratibimb. His brainchild, rather 'soul child'. The family organisation that does not accept any donations has quite a tale behind it. Shares Satyapal, "I was once reading a religious book and I don't know when I slept." He adds, "I still don't know how but may be in dreams it struck to me, I have spent years of life roaming around in the realms of liquor, now I should do something concrete for the benefit of the masses." The rest, as they say, is history. Satyapal, pass out of first batch of Govt College, Chandigarh and seventy-years-old now, is as active and committed to the cause as ever. Explaining the activities of Pratibimb, he says, "Our concept is to promote voluntary interest in the study of Vedas, Mahabharta, Ramayana and Guru Granth Sahib." And for that he conducts various quiz programmes in schools and colleges. Curiosity takes the better of us, but isn't this a novel and unique way of doing good? He says, "Our generation is being diverted from our rich heritage. What will be the fate of the nation where kids have forgotten their roots?" The man's pursuits took him to Sydney and Adelaide where he recently conducted a programme on life of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh. He recounts, "People were really enjoying the festival that we held." Pratibimb recently developed its own website. So what can be done to make future generations take interest in our own heritage? He rues, "First of all, the creed of anything western and foreign has to go. Our education system too needs to be revamped to make children take pride and interest in our rich cultural heritage." Everybody will agree. manpriya@tribunemail.com
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Feeling hot, hot, hot
Year 2009 is here and so is the chill. Mercury is at a significant low with fog adding to the woes. The outside atmosphere still affects us, as our homes, offices and vehicles are not centrally heated yet. What comes handy in this cold weather is our thermals that make us see us through the day and keep us warm.
We do a quick search in the city markets to find out what all options are available for you to choose from, if you are planning to buy one. Sanjay Awasthi of Standard Agencies-17 says, "We stock up on Jockey and Neva thermals because of their quality guarantee. The thermals are available for gents, ladies and kids as well. The range starts from Rs 250 onwards. " "Keeping the demand in mind, we have Kanvin thermals for women and teenagers. We have got really good response for this Ludhiana based brand for last few years," says Surekha Dewan of Inner Secrets-8. Emm Ell-17 has stored thermals from Monte Carlo, "We have thermals in pure wool form Monte Carlo. The range is available from Rs 600 onwards," informs Digamabar, a salesman from the store. Joining the bandwagon along with the trusted brands, is now a relatively new and green entrant UV&W. Inspired by clothing of the US army in extreme cold climates of Alaska and Bosnia, the firm has used imported yarn, Innova, knitted in organic cotton to give thermals capacity to provide ultimate insulation against cold. "Innova is warmer than the wool and also gives protection from UV rays. The company also offers double-chest vest thermals in heavy knit to give additional protection in extreme cold conditions," said Anil Jain, chairman, A Venus Group of Company. Starting from Rs 199 onwards per piece the range is available at select UV&W select stores in the region.
—TNS |
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In the wake of the recent terror attacks across the country; be they in Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur or Guwahati, Café Coffee Day (CCD) is galvanising the youth of the nation in a show of strength to demonstrate that one can make a difference by initiating the 'Cup of Good Hope' Under this scheme, CCD invites you to suggest ideas for a better India. The initiative will go on till the 10th January, 2009. CCD will collect all your ideas/suggestions and then present them to thoughtful leaders of our country who are in a position to bring about the needed reforms. The recent attacks have served to elucidate that change is a must and people cannot wait for the system to take its course. We have to force our decision makers to move with the times. Said Bidisha Nagaraj, president, Marketing, Café Coffee Day, "The mood in the country clearly indicates that there is an immediate need for change. Youth are our future and the best ideas come from them. We hope that our customers take the opportunity to air their opinion and grievances and be a part of this much required change." Café Coffee Day's menu ranges from signature hot and cold coffees to several exotic international coffees, food, desserts and pastries. In addition, exciting merchandise such as coffee powders, cookies, mugs, coffee filters, etc. are available at the cafés. — TNS
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Balancing act
They are the perfect jugglers. Focused and fair, they know how to balance things. Unlike the ones you see in fairs or inside the bars tossing balls and bottles, the jugglers we are talking about manage huge responsibilities. But of course, they know their job well. Yes, you guessed it right we are talking of women, and that too women entrepreneurs. Agile, empathetic, organised and pragmatic they know how to flip tasks and manage their chores. We talk to some women bosses from the city and ask them how exciting and challenging is it to be on the top. Naini Garg, joint director, Timber trail, has been heading the organisation from past 12 years now and believes what makes her job easy is her cordial relations with all employees. “Women are naturally compassionate and so it becomes easy for us to keep the team together. It is important to make the employees realise that the team is a big family and they are an integral part of it,” she says. For Naini, it is vital to understand the temperament of the staff. “Once you are aware of their professional qualities and personal attributes, delegation of duties get automatic, making you extract more work”. And how does she manage to keep the situation under control during crisis? “Any untoward situation has helped me learn more from it. I am more professional and wise”. Now what do you think is the secret behind this lady’s success as a boss. Two decades of experience as the COO of her IT firm, Red AlKemi and leading 120 employees, Anuja Lath has always believed in empowering her employees by giving them huge responsibilities. “It certainly helps to build confidence in them.” And what are the qualities that make her a role model for her employees? With humility, she answers, “Just like any other women entrepreneur, I am detail oriented and good at multitasking. Also I am good at putting across a point effectively and that makes extracting work from the staff much easier.” Anupama Arya, MD of Mobera, IT firm owes her success to the support she got from her family and employees. “It is important to realise that we are not super executives. I have always sought support from my family and employees without any hitch when I needed.” With such a flexible approach, heading over a hundred employees in the firm becomes easier. Aware of bigger responsibilities, she says, “Running an organisation successfully and meeting financial targets are smaller objectives. For me, it is more important to give growth opportunities to employees of my organisation and that needs a lot of planning.” ashima@tribunemail.com
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Hair extensions, which are attached to real tresses with glue, can make women go bald, skin experts have warned. According to researchers from American and Italian universities, the hairpieces, favoured by celebrities such as Paris Hilton, can lead to thinning hair and even permanent bald patches. Dermatologists say the extensions put too much tension on hair roots. Experts say the extensions put such tension on follicles in the scalp that they can become inflamed causing hair to fall out - a condition known as traction alopecia, reports the Daily Star.The study has been published in the British Journal of Dermatology.Fears over the growing use of extensions first hit the headlines two years ago, when Victoria Beckham was photographed with a sizeable bald patch after years of sporting false hair. Kate Beckinsale, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears have also all been spotted with thinning hair after using extensions.Now experts are calling for a ban on the extensions. Hair specialist Barry Stevens from the Trichological Society said: “This is a very real problem. Extensions should be banned.“I’ve had people in tears at my clinic over this. The extensions can destroy the follicles so that hair cannot grow back.” —ANI
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TAROT TALK ARIES: Like the The Knight of Cups you are emotional in personal relationship throughout the week. You will reap great benefits if dealing in stocks and shares. Your spouse pulls in a contrary direction that affects property interests. Astro Tip: Be honest to your desires Lucky colour : Turquoise. TAURUS: The four of Pentacles showers blessing on lovers. Domestic unrest can be avoided if you watch your step. Some career choices have to be made before an important opportunity passes you by. Tip: Do not take risks. Lucky Colour : Crimson. GEMINI: Your card is Six of Wands, so friends can get on your nerves. Your lazy streak will be more than obvious on Sunday. Your spouse pulls in a direction that will affect property interests. Tip: Rather worrying, infuse your efforts into decisive action and professional achievements. Lucky colour : Red. CANCER: The queen of cups brings romance poetry and dreamy quality in your personal relationships. It's best to look at a new direction, be open to fresh opportunities. Redecorating home and office space can bring synergy and fresh ambiance on Wednesday. Tip: Don't involve yourself in more than one activity at one time. Lucky colour : Burgundy. LEO: You draw Six of Cups, which helps you in professional work. There will be joy all around. Be cautious of the unfamiliar. Many choices are spread out before you on Monday. You will have a lazy morning and a busy afternoon on Thursday. Tip: Avoid situations that may turn nasty. Lucky colour : Pink. VIRGO: The Empress takes you towards the fast and protective lane. You are sensitive and vulnerable as you handle two situations at the same time maintaining inner and outer balance. You make adjustments in personal relationships, as they are a bit fragile at the moment. Tip: Do not let anyone get the advantage over you. Lucky colour : Citric green. LIBRA: Nine of cups interprets it as having focused energy and concentration on a goal, because of which even the impossible gets done. Pets, children, home, gardens can take much of your time on Tuesday. Learn a lesson from past mistakes and get on with your life. Tip: Don't be enthusiastic in finalising a particular deal. Lucky Colour : Pink. SCORPIO: You draw The Chariot, you are in touch with dynamic and assertive energy to make new beginnings. Multifarious activity may lead to stress and tension, be aware. Tip: Be positive, you can make things happen out of the most unlikely circumstances Lucky colour : Purple. SAGITTARIUS: The High Priestess reveals family pressure and responsibilities. You are original, energetic and ambitious instilling a personal style and vitality in whatever you do. Balance in relationships and professional activities need to be maintained. Tip: Take one thing at a time Lucky colour : Crimson. CAPRICORN: The Nine of swords brings you closer to truths hopes and desires that you mask with a calm surface. A journey near the sea or expanse of water proves to be therapeutic. You need to view defeat or failure in a certain aspect from a higher perspective. Tip: Trust your heart and intuition Lucky colour : Purple. AQUARIUS: The Emperor gets you in touch with your leadership qualities. Your mind will be very alert, clear and quick, enabling you to find immediate solutions to the problems that may arise. Though you are a calm and easy going person, you will accelerate and become more talkative and curious. Tip : Keep other people's secret well guarded Lucky Colour : Sea green. PISCES: Five of Pentacles takes you through difficult situation. If you are fighting a legal battle, you win it after a slight delay. An array of mixed feelings overwhelms you. An important project is likely to encounter hurdles. Tip: Take one step at a time and avoid being hurried and over anxious. Lucky colour : Yellow.
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Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett has earned a reputation for challenging roles from screen legend Katharine Hepburn in The Aviator to the iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan in I'm Not There. In her latest film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the 39-year-old Australian star portrays a dancer at several stages of life as her character, named Daisy, ages more than 80 years on screen.