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Our avian guest All the way from Hyderabad, four Emus have found home in Abninder Singh Grewal’s heart and farm
It’s a fascinating world of artifacts where living and non-living join in to create an old world charm of a rustic village. In the middle of Industrial area, Mohali there lies a place that is alive with twittering of birds and fluttering of feathers. Yes, you read it right an avian ecstasy in middle of thumping machine sounds and blurring industrial units, courtesy Abninder Singh Grewal, owner Gary Arts in Phase VII, Industrial area, Mohali and an avid bird lover. With a variety of wingless birds sauntering in his Industrial area lawn this place is no less than a bird paradise as the Gary Art house has birds like Guinea fowl, ducks, wild hen (desi murga) etc moving about fearlessly making sound of music. And latest to join the gang of avian are four Emus. When and where
Australian natives who have made India there second home have come all the way from Hyderabad to this man who’s passion are birds. Well, it was our first time to see these birds we wonder if our region is familiar to this specie. Says Dr K. Ravikumar, director, Central Poultry Development Organisation (Northern Region), who is instrumental in bringing these little birdies to town, “If I am not wrong, they are the first Emus in the city and even in the region.” With plans to set up Emu farm in his village Nanokai near Nabha, Abninder says, “I am a farmer and my son is too into farming. The Punjab government has plans to start Punjab farm tourism and we have registered ourselves for that. Keeping this in mind we intend to create a rustic village charm at our farm where we would have all kinds of birds and animals. People can come and visit and live amidst real animals and greenery, which is hard to find in cities these days.” Know it all
Back to Emu, we ask how these little birds will survive without the warmth of their mother. “Chicks must be kept in an optimum temperature, humidity and ventilation and for that we have built a special house for them called brooder,” says Dr Ravikumar. Dr Ravikumar adds, “Apart from this saw dust is spread in the brooder along with layers of newspaper to keep the chicks warm and observe the droppings. And for cleanliness one layer of newspaper is rolled out everyday.” Adaptable, Emu is a docile bird and is also known as fence animal, as it will run only around the fence area. “We plan to encourage Emu farming in Punjab as it is a domestic bird and can add to the income of the farmer. Emu poultry is in great demand and apart from that Emu egg is highly nutritious and absolutely wonderful for cholesterol patients. Emu oil is too beneficial and is a boon for arthritis patients. Besides, it can be an added tourist attraction,” says Dr Ravikumar. While our man Dr Ravikumar is instrumental in training people in poultry farming and so far has given training to almost 1500 farmers in North, all this has happened in a short span of one and a half year. Applaud for that. Informing us more on what Emus eat he says, “Baby Emus can be fed on jaggery water, milk mixed with water, maize grain and electroyle, for the full grown Emus they can feed on maize, soybean, wheat polish, vitamins etc.” Cost of affair
Well, that’s not all Abninder’s son Abjinder has taken a special training in handling Emus from Bangalore. “My son is also passionate about birds and farming and this is my gift to him,” says Abninder. If you were wondering how much would an Emu cost, from a Govt agency a bird would cost you Rs 5000 and a pair that is three week old would cost around Rs 15,000. But Dr Ravikumar says, “One cannot differentiate between a male and a female Emu till about one and a half year.” Interesting, isn't it?
jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com |
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Have this chance Mona
The innocent teen Disney drama, which was born some three years ago on small screen, has finally graduated to 70 mm. And boy! The big budget only pumps up the grandeur. High School Musical 3: Senior Year, the latest installment of the HSM franchise, generates the same extravaganza, with practically the same crew, as its two hugely successful predecessors were able to create amongst its fan base. It’s the last year at school before the class finds its own ways in the big, harsh world. When it comes to the last musical shy, brainy, bespectacled Kelsi (Olesya Rulin) signs up the entire class on the premise that it’s last chance to do something together before they take up separate paths. As the budding world of East High crowd is dealing with choices and struggling to make the sane decisions, this becomes the theme for the final musical. The lead stars Troy (Zac Efron), captain of Wildcats. He has always been a basketball player but now is giving second thoughts to drama . However, the main conflict is his imminent separation from his sweetheart Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) who has the prospect of joining ‘the geniuses’ as prestigious Stanford has offered her a seat. Fraternal twins Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) and Ryan (Lucas Grabeel) along with Kelsi are in league to be chosen for esteemed scholarship at Juilliard. Together, finding their ways, the senior class reaches the day of graduation. In the meantime this almost two hours journey directed and choreographed by Kenny Ortega is fun-filled musical with an enthusiasm that’s hard to ignore. About a dozen of songs are composed and choreographed beautifully filming hopes and dreams of the youthful world. I Want It All and The Boys Are Back, filmed in the junkyard stand out among the rest. Efron is a treat to watch, Hudgens matches up to his performance and the pair looks gorgeous together. Ashley Tisdale as a meany sparkles. Lucas Grabeel as Ryan shines in his role as young, energetic choreographer dressed in pink. All in all the cast’s energy lends vigour to the flick. The movie is unrealistically a blissful tale set in an idyllic world where the negatives of adolescence — sex, pregnancies, drugs are out of bound. Recommended to all those young at heart. mona@tribunemail.com
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The globetrotting jet-lagged Bollywood stars of Chandni Chowk to China, Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone were in Toronto for the premiere of their January 16th Warner Bros. release Chandni Chowk to China. Deepika stunned in a black and golden strapless number while Akshay was true to form in a dashing black leather coat making quite a statement wearing red and black Nike One shoes which said "Akshay Kumar" on the flap. Deepika stated that she was very excited and happy to be in Toronto when it is nice, chilly and snowy. Talking about her experience of working on the film she said playing the role of "Meow Meow" her Chinese alter-ego in the film was quite fun for her. She trained quite intensely for 6 months for her character. Akshay on the other hand said he was a cook by nature so the distinguishing factor between the Chinese culture and Indian one is "Woh kahaana kachaa kahtey hain aur hum paakhey!" (Chinese eat their food raw whereas Indians like to cook their food) which had the selected attendees breaking out in a laugh. The director of the film and previous others such as Kal Ho Na Ho and Salaam-E-Ishq said the film is a "mindless out and out entertainer" and that audiences should enjoy it as escapist cinema as it helps one forget all your problems. — TNS
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Crying for comedy Neha Walia
If you go in the history, TV has been filling those required comic gaps when needed, since the days when comedy was subtle and spontaneous with Nukkad, or Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi, that made Swaroop Sampat and Shafi Inamdar synonymous with comedy (don’t scratch your head, leave it if you can’t remember and let us continue!). It was laughter sans the loud effort. But we wanted more, and we got more. Loud comedies, artificial laughter in the background, even they looked like a valiant effort, and jokes that were as thakele as the shows themselves. And while the western world was laughing out loud with iconic comedies like Full House and later Friends, the only success for Indian Television came in the form of Hum Paanch. Or we were infact, more happy watching the DVDs or the repeated versions of Full House and Friends. With Movers and Shakers, we got the taste of stand up comedy. Shekhar Suman became the god of small screen comedies and the audience laughed at the who’s who of India. The show must have made Vajpayee and Lalu Prasad Yadav think twice about saying anything, Shekhar Suman being the original (laughs) Jay leno of bharat. But that turned out to be a white elephant dream. Though comedy returned with Shekhar again in the Great Indian laughter Challenge, and this time another laughing bomb hit the TV screens, Navjot Singh Sidhu. The now non-stop laughing guru made even the most serious of the audience laugh. But alas, the excess of it now seems more like the great Indian irritation challenge than laughter. The jokes got lewd (I wonder if Dasmunsi ever saw one of these programmes) loud and ludicrous. Infact, if you calling them jokes makes us laugh. No matter how much we long for our Sienfield moment, but when it comes to some laughter anything is better than nothing still works for us. lifestyle@tribunemail.com
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Madhur Bhandarkar has denied that he would be directing a TV serial , but has admitted that his production company has undertaken a project
“We will be making 10 interesting short stories of one episode each for the channel,” he added. The short stories will be aired on Sony channel. For now, the three-time National award-winning director is going to start the shoot of his next project Jail in March. The film stars Neil Nitin Mukesh in the lead. IANS
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Slow but steady From fashion to films, Rajniesh Duggall has proved to be a smart contender The handsome Rajniesh Duggall is not new to female adulation or the glamour world. Given his impressive credentials, winner of Grasim Mr India in 2003 and the first runner up in Mr. International, this hunky model made a slow but impressive move towards tinsel town. Making his presence felt with his debut movie, 1920, Rajniesh is all geared up for a long Bollywood innings. Breezing through the city for a personal trip to Pathankot and Amritsar, the model and actor chats up exclusively with Lifestyle. From modelling to music videos to films, it's been a been-there-done-that experience for Rajniesh. "I have always been lucky to be amongst the best and it's a great feeling to be able to do so much work and learn more everyday," he says. After walking the line successfully for the biggest of designers, he joined the list of Vikram Bhatt discoveries with his movie 1920. So why chose a dark film, when the safest bet for a newcomer is a love story? "I had been getting offers for soft roles and romantic movies for two years. But when I met Vikram Bhatt and read the script, I felt a connection instantly and it excited me. And so there was no way I was letting it go," says the actor. And what about the much talked about and impressive recitation of Hanuman Chalisa in the movie? "It was nothing new. I have been doing that since I was in fifth standard," he says. Now we know that life in Bollywood can be difficult for someone who is not a star kid or sans a godfather. But Rajniesh believes in being slow and steady. "It's not easy to get things straight right away. One has to grow and gel with the people and the environment. I am still new and am taking my time to create my space in Bollywood." The guy believes in teamwork and making an effort on the whole and not just mugging up your lines and doing your part. So much for the hardwork, he shares how he got hurt while doing a chase sequence while shooting 1920, but calls it exciting. Belonging to the current crop of actors, Rajniesh too believes in experimentation and is open to innovations. "The concept of typical commercial film doesn't hold true anymore. A film like A Wednesday would have been termed as parallel cinema a few years back, but now it's a commercial success. The audience has become smarter and no more wants clichéd themes and stories," he says. One look at his projects in pipeline and you get what he means. "I am currently working on two films, one Paradise on Earth, in which I play a small town Kashmiri guy, a light hearted movie and another directed by Sandeep Verma called Handsome Four which is an out and out fast paced, rugged film." He will also be seen in Vikram Bhatt's next Phirr. "It is 70 percent complete and the story is based on karma and the circle of life thing," he adds. With the likes of Imran Khans and Ranbir Kapoors, Rajniesh makes for an impressive contender with the combination of perfect looks and the right attitude. lifestyle@tribunemail.com
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Art and artiste
Marriages are made in heaven and solemnised on earth. Veritably it applies to the couple of tabla maestro Deepak Chakraborty and her life and music partner kathak danseuse Rupa Chakraborty of Kolkata. The couple is in city to perform at the Pracheen Kala Kendra on Sunday evening. An able academician, popular performer and innate innovator, Deepak Chakraborty grew counting and jumping to the rhythmic beat of tabla as his father and guru practiced music at home. Enamored with the various permutations and combinations of rhythmic patterns the child prodigy Deepak could not think of any other musical instrument except tabla. Later, he learnt from the tabla wizard Ustad Sabir Khan of Farrukhabad gharana and also captured the styles of other gharanas in the Indian tabla traditions. Deepak has performed at many prestigious musical concerts and festivals in various cities of India and abroad. Last year, his solo tabla performance at Indian Festival at Berlin was so much appreciated that he has been invited this year too, to perform at the Berlin Festival along with his charming classical dancer wife Rupa Chakraborty (to be held between 22nd-24th May). The couple will also perform in London, Glasco, Belgium and France. Sharing an experience of performance abroad he says that the audience clap for over ten minutes. So much so that some young lady listener hugged him on stage much to the embracement of his wife Rupa Chakraborty. Deepak has made some CD's and cassettes like Mystic melody (classical instrumental), Nriti nrityam (kathak dance), Jagarani (recitation with music), Thaat chintan and many more. Talking about fusion with other western traditions he holds the Indian classical music as supreme in the world. Waiting patiently Rupa chipped in to claim that of the entire performing arts kathak dance creates its own aura. "This dance forms immediate connect with the senses. It is said to be the hybrid offspring of both Mughal and Hindu culture." Unlike her percussionist husband, she is open to fusion of her dance composition with other tradition, but of course without sacrificing, the grandeur of kathak classical dances. lifestyle@tribunemail.com
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Clay clues Clay, cutter, pencil, little basket, colours and the paraphernalia strewn carelessly…No, its not a bunch of eager beaver kids playing Doll’s house by the beach side, but students at Jaspal Bhatti’s MAD Arts, at Mohali learning the very technical and basic part of animation, clay modelling. Param Shiv, who was here for the three-day workshop tells us about the subject in length and breadth. It is a little difficult to connect the animation that we know of through Shrek, Nemo, Madagascar and well…clay modeling. He says, “It’s part of basics. Students learn the 3D aspect through clay modelling and also come to know about the finer nuances of expression and movement.” The workshop specifically dealt in stop animation. Stop animation? Answers Param, “See, when you watch anything audio visual, there are 24 frames per second. The characters, being inanimate themselves, have no movement of their own, but one has to create it. So within each frame how much does the anatomy of the cartoon moves, has to kept in mind.” He feels the exercise is equivalent to the lab where students experiment in filmmaking. As Savita Bhatti, Ceo, Mad Arts, says, “Clay modelling is the basic part of animation and very few schools are actually taking it up as a mode of teaching.” She adds, “In fact, there are actually very few people who know clay modelling professionally.” Meanwhile, the lesson and instructions continue, ‘Animation is never slow…You have to play all the shots I one go…Keep in mind, your main audience is kids, they like it colourful…’Apart from clay, metals like wires, universal ball and socket joints are also used to assist in smooth movement. Enough of the technicalities, what does animation as an industry hold in the future? Says Param, “Animation has a really bright future, in any film industry in the world. As it is, the films are all going short and increasingly serials and movies using animated characters are being accepted.” He adds, “Also if I have a concept and script in mind and do not have a huge team I can still go ahead because with this one does not need a lot of manpower.” So the next time your kid doesn’t let go of clay, don’t fret; instead start looking for a clay modelling tutor! manpriya@tribunemail.com
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Launch PAD Offering a wide range of wool, silk and wool silk blend stoles, scarves, mufflers and other exquisite blends in a riot of
colours, they are available in exclusive designs like jaquard, checks, stripes, jamawar prints, hand painted, geometrical shapes and plain
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jammawar, jammawar embroidery, checks and stripes. The price range of shawls starts from Rs 700 to two
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Tarot
Talk ARIES: Three of Wands reveals this is a week of changes. There will be an increase in love and affection you receive from people around you and there would be an increase in your energy and enthusiasm. You will be willing to take on new responsibilities and challenges and will be able to give your best. Lucky colour : Purple. Tip of the week: Learn from past experience. TAURUS: Sun indicates that most of your money concerns will be resolved favorably and loans, debts, credits would all fall into place. Focus on your career growth and don’t waste time indulging in useless gossip. Investments made in the past would bring good returns. Lucky colour: Earthy brown. Tip: Get rid of negative feelings through love. GEMINI: This will be a good week to deal with both professional and personal goals says Two of cups card. Your inherent charisma, energy levels and good temperament would make you popular. For those of you who are unattached this would be a good time to find someone special. Lucky colour : Brown. Tip: You need to act for yourself and for no one else. CANCER: The Hermit card reveals business and professional affairs may take a backseat; however, you should try to devote your attention to your career goals. Investments should be reviewed and some of you could consider investing in real estate. Wednesday would be beneficial for most of you this week. Lucky colour: Creamy white. Tip: Focus on your goals and don’t let temporary setbacks affect you. LEO: The card Strength says most of you would have to depend on the decisions of other people. Finances would start to stabilise and you would probably have to invest more aggressively. Take up a regular exercise routine. Lucky colour : Rainbow pastels. Tip: Overindulgence in food as well as alcohol may lead to health problems. VIRGO: The Prince of Cups says this week, you would be able to express what you want from yourself, others and from life. Your ability to articulate your needs, wants and wishes would be heightened and give you an extra edge. You can easily plan a holiday and even, decide on doing something new or adventurous. Lucky colour : White. Tip: Take things one at a time LIBRA: You draw Seven of Swords this week and you may find that your income would fall short of the expenditure. In relationships, there would be much variety and warmth, giving you a sense of security as well as excitement. At work you may have to make some crucial decisions. Matters relating to law would be decided in your favor. Lucky colour : Bottle green. Tip: Avoid the tendency to criticise others. SCORPIO: The Hanged Man says most of you would , be appreciated for everything that you’ve done so far and this would motivate you to do even better. At home and at work, you would have a good idea of what others need and by providing it, you would win yourself another admirer. Lucky colour: Peacock green. Tip: Be patient and observant and the rewards would surely follow. SAGITTARIUS: The Lovers inspire you with love and creativity. Professional problems and challenges may take up your time and energy this week. The situation at home would be peaceful and relaxing. Money matters may create some tension on Friday. Lucky colour: Silver grey. Tip: You may have to treat people with a lot of charity. CAPRICORN: The Knight of Swords instigates you to be active and clever. The atmosphere at work will be pleasant and your peers would be co-operative. Students should focus and work hard. Those of you looking for jobs would receive good offers while those in politics and sports would do very well. Singles may receive good marriage proposals while married Capricorns would spend time with family and even, travel together. Lucky colour : Red Tip: Don’t do anything at the cost of health. AQUARIUS : Two of Pentacles says the highlight of the week would be business, trade and chances to grow and flourish in the professional field. Some of you may have to stand up for your values and beliefs and defend them with strength and wisdom. Lucky colour: Ruby red Tip: Avoid undue splurging and put aside money for the upcoming months. PISCES: The princes of Wands predicts there may be some changes at work and some of you may also, travel for work . Businessmen should deal with labour issues with tact and wisdom while politicians may have to deal with vague feedback. In your personal life, some of you may feel inclined towards religion, spiritualism or philosophy. Lucky colour: Green Tip: Allow a sick situation blow over before you start a new project.
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A day old, they have been flown from the Sri Venkateswara veterinary university, Hyderabad. “Emus are originally Australian birds. In India, Andhra Pradesh is the leading state in Emu farming with more than 80 percent of Indian Emu population. And now we plan to encourage people in Punjab for its farming,” says Dr Ravikumar. 
Dome shaped this has ventilation at the top. Temperature is maintained in this house for four weeks, as Dr Ravikumar says, “It’s the first 21 days that are critical for the Emu chicks.” Temperature has to be maintained at 95 degree Fahrenheit for the first week and after that every week 5 degrees is reduced, getting it to 75 degrees Fahrenheit that is the normal temperature for Emus. 
There are days when you wake
up in the morning, trying to remember the last time you laughed, seriously
and genuinely laughed. And if in that moment of truth, another realisation
strikes you that suddenly you don’t have any reason or any person
accountable for some heartfelt light moments in your life, then well, like
always there is one great invention of the modern world that comes handy,
television. And so with it comes your so-called dose of laughter, read the
umpteen comedy shows that are on air.
According to a report published in a leading Mumbai daily, Bollywood directors Vikram Bhatt, Mahesh Manjrekar, Ashok Pandit, and Shriram Raghavan apart from Bhandarkar have been approached by a TV channel to direct serials for them.“I will not be directing the short stories. My company Bhandarkar Entertainment Pvt Ltd is involved in making serials and ads too and the same department will be taking care of it under the able supervision of Ashok Pandit and Raman Kumar - the two are from the TV industry and understand the intricacies involved in making serials,” Bhandarkar said.
With winters here, Ahujasons has unveiled the latest collection of stoles and shawls. An accessory that can embellish the feminine grace has a rich history weaved in their delicate warm
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Ahujasons, they are not mere haute couture products but personal style statements endorsed by connoisseurs of lifestyle. The price range of the stoles starts from Rs 300 to Rs 4000.