Slumdog Millionaire wasn't just a regular 'rags-to-riches' story- Not because Golden Globes first put the limelight on it, nor because 'BAFTA' had everyone talking about it, not even because Oscars have us literally 'obsessed to death' over it-it isn't just a regular 'rags-to-riches story'. Hope, triumph, achievement, poverty, irony, feat, reality, accomplishment, incredulity-which other movie took slum kids to Oscars? For a second, just for a second, let's put the arc light back to from where it began-the slum… it's kids…would they be ever millionaire? What do they think?

"Yes, I've seen it. Isn't it the story of a guy who answered all the questions," says Pankaj, from Colony number-5, barely eleven. Contrary to the inbuilt apprehension, the expectation, 'who would've seen it?', 'na, not possible'! Never mind he calls the movie 'million crorepati'. Umm…Sure he didn't go to the multiplex, the judgmental insect in us refuses to leave. "I saw it on the CD," and for this once piracy can go to hell! Was the movie real?

He adds, "I think that's possible. Of course it can happen." To him as well? "No. I couldn't have done it." Never hated pessimism more! Sunil, 17, slightly differs. "I liked it. Starting was good." Can it happen? Should we believe in it? For, if he does, somewhere we do too. He adds, "Can happen also. I don't know. You never know." But doesn't forget to add with a bicep gesture, "Film has some strength." The jury, Academy of Motion picture arts and sciences agrees with him!

Till the official screening of the movie happens for such kids, not everyone's seen it. Preeti, 9, who studies in class II, near scrap market, says, "I've seen a lot of movies, only this we haven't seen. Even I would like to be this rich, someday. But somehow, don't think, I will ever be." Leaving you meandering with musing, she rushes for the errand she was sent at. While another, Sahil Ali points towards the stretch of the colony, "I know. It was made here." Perhaps, he meant, the similar surroundings and environs in the film's background.

While yet another Pinky Kumari, 15, on being given a little details of the storyline, enquires, "I watch only serials. Don't watch movies much. But this one sounds interesting, I would like to see it for sure. Even though I don't think it is possible. Atleast not easily. When did you say it was released? And what name did you say?"-"Slumdog Millionaire".

Do watch it, while they make another, that makes it effortlessly credible.

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Crying babies, barking dogs, diving fighter planes, movie dialogues, filmi non-filmi songs, weird shayari, Shakira's seductive oomph notes…. The range of ring tones on mobile phones has certainly added spice to mobile communication. And if you are a King Khans fan then Don ko pakdna na mushkil nahin na mumkin hai caller tone could be a pick. As per a research, the ring tone on your mobile phone reflects your personality. Next time you select a ring tone or caller tone; make sure it says something of your taste and style.

"With cell phones playing 3-40 notes simultaneously, the choice for the selecting ring, voice, and caller tones has increased," says upcoming city-based upcoming model Sameer kang, whose fixation for fast cars can be 'heard' in his caller tune. "The caller tune is sound of Michael Schumacer's Ferrari," he proudly says. "I have downloaded it from the Internet, so, I guess it must be original. There were many such tones to choose from- Engine girdling, tyres rubbing against the gravel, funny horn noises." For Sameer such ring tones are synonymous to his personality.

Ask Dheeraj Sobti, who is learning Indian classical music, a caller tone that has Beethoven's music is something that gels with his style. "I keep changing my ring and caller tone as per my mood. Sometimes, it is guitar, drums, sitar and other sound instruments. My cell phone and caller tune bear my trademark style- both are musical," he smiles.

Bow down to the technology on latest cell phones that can store a lot of ringtones. The recent fad these says are voice ringtones. Remember the 'Miss you' voice SMS, which poor Saif managed to send to Kareena, with 'punching' help from Shah Rukh Khan. In addition to this, ringtone downloads of voices of film stars, famous people are also pretty popular with the 'tech' generation. A city-based journalist, who is a die -hard Shah Rukh Khan fan has Don's main dialogue as the caller tune. Don ko pakdna mushkil hi nahin namumkin bhi hai. I love this dialogue. This ring tone says everything about my love for Shah Rukh Khan," she smiles. "I wouldn't change it for anything."

Lastly, if you are not satisfied with the caller tune, ask your friend to send one or log on to the Internet and take your pick. But remember 'Answer the phone you must'.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Touch screens could soon be history, for scientists have developed a new communication platform, called the 'iPoint 3D', that just requires users to mover their hands in the air to do a variety of tasks-such as switching on the light, turning the stove on/off, and viewing any image from all angles. Using the iPoint 3D, people can communicate with a display through simple gestures, and that too without touching it and without 3-D glasses or a data glove.

What makes the iPoint 3D work is a recognition device- not much larger than a keyboard, it can be suspended from the ceiling above the user or integrated in a coffee table.

"Its two built-in cameras detect hands and fingers in real time and transmit the information to a computer," said Paul Chojecki, a research scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institut, HHI, explaining the technology.

The moment someone in front of the screen moves his or her hands, the system responds instantly without any physical contact or special markers.

The device is also equipped with two FireWire cameras, which are inexpensive. The off-the-shelf video cameras that are easy to install.

Other than hitting the chord with video gamers, the iPoint 3D can also be useful in a living room or office, or even in a hospital operating room, or as part of an interactive information system.

"Since the interaction is entirely contactless, the system is ideal for scenarios where contact between the user and the system is not possible or not allowed, such as in an operating room," said Chojecki.

Thus, the platform could not only be used to control a display but also as a means of controlling other devices or appliances.

So, when someone is kneading pastry in the kitchen, and has his or her hands covered in dough, can turn down the boiling potatoes by waving a finger without leaving sticky marks on the stove.

Also, in an office, an architect can examine the latest set of construction drawings and view them from all angles by gesture control.

According to the researchers, the finger is the remote control of the future.

Educational video games that have been designed keeping in mind certain criteria can be compatible with traditional methods of teaching in the classroom, reveals a new study. According to Pablo Moreno-Ger, lead author of the study from Madrid's Complutense University (UCM), educational and technological aspects can go together and prove to be effective on educational platforms.

Pablo, member of the e-UCM educational technologies research group, led by Baltasar Fernández Manjón in UCM's Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence Department, along with a team of experts believed that including video games that cover a significant number of subjects or areas of knowledge can, possibly, "work best in the area of education".

"Video games in virtual educational environments are a complement to traditional teaching for the student," The Science Daily quoted Pablo as telling SINC.

However, it was further revealed that the extensive use of graphical adventure genre (e-Adventure) must bare in mind certain educational and technical hurdles.

These include the possibility for evaluation, adaptability and ease of integration, which the technology must be able to cover to help in the learning process. —ANI

Scientists have found a unique way of harnessing energy - hamsters fitted with electricity generating jackets! The jackets are strapped to the animals as they run on their cage wheels, capturing the biomechanical energy they release as they exercise.

Developed by Dr Zhong Lin Wang of Georgia University's Nano Research Group, the jackets are fitted with wires plugged into a nanogenerator that produces energy when they are bent and stretched.

The study showed that one hamster could produce small amounts of AC power - around one twentieth of the output of an AA battery.

Though it would require 1,000 hamsters to generate enough energy to power a mobile phone, Wang hopes that the breakthrough could have practical applications when applied to larger animals and humans.

According to The Sun, experts believe the new technique could one day be used to harness power produced by humans.

"We believe that this is the first demonstration of a live animal producing current with nano-generators," the Telegraph quoted Wang as saying.

He added that the technology could be ready to be fitted into clothes within five years.

It would capture energy produced not only when humans are active, but also from smaller movements such as when people are sat at computers. —ANI

They call it Cyanide and make it pretty obvious. Cyanide? Can't be the annual festival of literary or languages department. Got to be the brainchild of souls in white coats, experimenting in laboratories with acids in test tubes. Stereotypical reflexes! Only the events in Cyanide '09 were not as obvious. The brainchild of Department of Chemical Engineering & Technology, began with a bang…and a cause.

What better way to kick off than a Marathon? Flagged at 7.30 am from the department itself, the event had around 600 people running for it. "There were 750 registrations," corrects Aashwi Verma, organising committee member. Before adding, "It was awesome." Prior to details or even rambling onto other activities, did they expect such a phenomenal response? She adds, "No. Honestly no." Six kms of stretch, spanning Sectors 14, 25 and 37, the marathon ended from where it began, not before it had hundreds running, in only an hour and a half with Kings XI tees on. Equally worth mentioning, the performance by physically challenged kids later, during the day, with depertment donating too. The charity streak does not end yet, day two will witness a cleanliness drive spread over department, Stu-C with Tree Plantation drive comprising 40 saplings reserved for the last. Says Suhaas Sharma, core committee member, "We wanted to give it a charitably identity this time, keep it unique and different from others around the campus." They are philanthropic, doesn't mean don't know how to have fun. If the fest has quality, well, it didn't lack quantity either. There was even turban-tying competition with style and time being the deciding factors. Actually, they can brag of traditional touch too.

Coming back to, the fun part, there's fete, fun, stalls, desi-roadies (yeah, the miniature version of original television show), DJ nite ( with DJ Sanj), rock and roll dance event, Esoterika (technical paper presentation), debate, fashion show, laughter night (This one with Sudesh Lahiri) and a singing competition too stacked in somewhere, And all this spread over a span of three days. Now, that's a marathon of the other kind!

The weather is opening up to bright sunshine and clear blue sky and it gets along our desire to wear something flowy and dressy. And with the wedding, party and ofcourse the Oscars, why not talk of long ripples of cascading satin evening dress and flowing gowns. Though they have always been in vogue these gorgeous dresses are not only limited to the red or green carpet, but have found place in the city shops too. And defying the ubiquitous black and silver party dress, showing up in tantalizing hues and fitted silhouette try a daring dress for that sizzling hot look.

Body type Blessed souls: For those who are tall and slim, well anything would suit your body type. Fat but fit at heart: Try fabrics like chiffon, organza and georgette. And for the dresses pick flowy ones. Thumb rule: The mantra for a stunning look is play with the design element, neck lines and colours to get that stunning look.

“This season focus is more on cuts, but the gown and dresses that people are liking are more westernized than Indian,” says Divya Kapoor, owner Samsaara, Taj-17.

While its swarovski that is in when it comes to embellishment, not too many colours are in vogue. “Its one plain colour that people are liking these days,” says Divya. She adds, “More emphasis these days is on cocktail dresses and brides too like to wear it and it’s the electric blue, green, golden, purple, and pearly hues that people are liking.”

We thought gowns and cascading long dresses were for ladies but hey, our young girls are game for this attire to. “Young girls are really liking gowns and dresses these days,” says Divya. But are these dresses fit for the fit women only. “People who don’t have a fit body can also pick up these dresses as now ladies are more comfortable in their skin and don’t mind wearing what they like. And if necessary they can use a stole to hide the flab,” says Seema Sharma, fashion designer, Impressions-19.

Divya adds, “What one needs is the right kind of attitude, more than anything else to flaunt these chic dresses.”

“Embedded with sequin’s it’s the flowing dresses in vibrant hues that are in demand,” says Ramandeep Arora owner, Waga. “Silk and satin fabrics are doing well this season and it’s the velvet prints that will make a style statement this spring/summer,” he adds. When we say colours, Ramandeep says, “It’s going to be mauve, aqua blue, maroon and silver.”

If you thought only movie stars could wear them then think again as our city women are all set to show off, “They are the latest top end party dresses. Be it a cocktail function, reception, anniversary or a party we see lots of women buying gowns and evening dresses,” says Rajneesh Jain, proprietor Meena Bazaar. He adds, “Though they are not popular as a dress for the wedding function but yes girls pick it up for a cocktail party, reception, sangeet etc.” Talking trend he says, “Layered gowns are really in these days and the choice of fabric is unlimited. From net to lycra we have stain, tissue, velvet and lot of mix and match.”

Hey, what are you waiting for, go take your pick!

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

Refined but unapologetically glamorous, Hollywood’s biggest stars strode the red carpet at the Oscar awards with white dresses, bold necklaces and one-shoulder gowns among the night’s top trends.

Despite an economic recession that has many Americans pinching pennies, stars didn’t pare back their finery, delivering the glitz for which Hollywood is known.

‘’If I turn my head, I don’t see any change,’’ designer Valentino said yesterday on the red carpet, adding that any toning down of Oscar style would be ‘’very, very bad.’’ Style experts called the night a return to clean, sophisticated Hollywood style, saying actors such as best actor nominee Kate Winslet and ‘’Slumdog Millionaire’’ star Freida Pinto went for classic looks.

Winslet achieved her retro look in a grayish blue one-shoulder gown with black details by Yves Saint Laurent that she told reporters was ‘’quite comfortable,’’ a swept-back hairstyle and diamond earrings. Pinto donned a darker blue beaded one-sleeved gown by John Galliano.

Pretty Princess: Anne Hathaway

Winslet and Pinto stood out for the choice of blue, as many actors favored white and other light colours.

Penelope Cruz, who picked up the best supporting actor’s Oscar for Vicky Cristina Barcelona, and her fellow supporting actor nominee Taraji P Henson of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button wore voluminous strapless white gowns.

Best actor nominee Anne Hathaway also wore a white gown, studded with sequins, that style expert Jennifer Fisher called ‘’perfect Hollywood glamour.’’ Asked on the red carpet why she had chosen the Armani gown, Hathaway said: ‘’Wouldn’t you want to wear this dress?’’ Other light-colored gowns included Sarah Jessica Parker’s belted light mint green strapless dress by Dior. Chunky, collared necklaces were also one of the night’s big trends, with best supporting actress nominees Henson and Amy Adams of Doubt, garnering the most buzz with their Fred Leighton designs.

Old is gold: Sophia Loren

‘’Thank God the necklace returns to Hollywood,’’ style expert Michael O’Connor said.

Other necklaces that stood out on the carpet were best actress nominee Melissa Leo’s spider-shaped diamond pendant, designed by her friend Katherine Wallach, and best actor nominee Mickey Rourke, who wore a picture of his Chihuahua, Loki, both around his neck and in a pin on his lapel.

‘’I was going to bring her with me,’’ Rourke said of the dog, who died six days ago. ‘’But she is with me.’’ Fashion misses for the evening for Fisher included supermodel Heidi Klum’s bright red Roland Mouret futuristic gown, which she paired with big, chunky diamond earrings and bracelets by Lorraine Schwartz.‘’It looked like it should have been on Star Trek,’’ Fisher said.

For O’Connor, best actor nominee Meryl Streep missed the mark with her gray off-the-shoulder gown. ‘’It was just not the right shape for her,’’ he said. — Reuters 

It was an “unbelievable moment” for the team of Oscar-favourite Slumdog Millionaire, which stole the show at the red carpet with lead lady Frieda Pinto being the cynosure of all eyes in her elegant blue John Galliano gown. “The dress is John Galliano’s but the jewellery is from India. The ring I am wearing is more than 100 years old,” said Pinto, named one of the best dressed by fashion bible Vogue. “I am not a big star but I am part of a huge film and it really feels great to be in a film that has touched so many hearts,” said Pinto. She was joined by her co-star and “very good friend” Dev Patel, clad in blatuxedo. “It has made my life...It has opened so many doors for me and my family,” said Patel. When asked about them being more than just good friends, Frieda said, “We are really very good friends and shared a great journey together and have learnt a lot from each other, thank you.” Patel dismissed the question with a smile and “Thank you”. Also dressed for the occasion in tuxedos and beautiful frocks were the two ‘salims’ and two ‘Latikas’, who were visibly excited to be present at the greatest awards night in Hollywood. — PTI 

“To be true, Slumdog… the movie took all the attention and the mind was more occupied on our winning the Oscar than seeing what Hollywood stars wore at the big nite”, says Deepika Gehani, fashion designer. Talking about the hype created over what Freida would wear to the Oscars she says, “When one goes for an event like Oscar it definitely creates hype and for Freida she was being offered the best, so why wouldn’t she use what was being offered. And on top of it when an Indian star goes on to an International platform like this, they offered the best of clothes, designers, jewellery and footwear and its human to use the best of the bests when being offered.”

“ This year the look for Oscars was minimalist but definitely classy. Predominant were colours like black and cream,” says Aditi Srivastava, vice president, INIFD-8 What about Freida and she says, “It’s the movie that made her into an icon and as youth icon she lived up to the expectations.” — TNS