He's better known for his aggression and an undying attitude of audacity, but there's more to this brainchild of Roadies -Raghu Ram.

He loves music, wants to pen a book, feature in a film and a book and yes, he wants to be associated with melody too. And thanks to this reality show, Sitaron Ko Choona Hai, Raghu is now being related to raga also. Head of the academy of the reality show, Raghu says, "This is not the usual reality show where people are chosen on the basis of only good voice and finally, the best of all wins (courtesy the public). Our show is about honing the talent." He adds, "We have an academy where we are developing the overall personality. And here, the janta does not vote till the final three are chosen." Perfect ten.

Well, if haven't caught the show, this is aired on Real, where participants are being trained to become perfect singers and performers-all in all, complete artistes. While the final remuneration will be a record deal of an album plus all the promotion, the show promises to bring the best out.

That's for the show, but for a man who's always been a hardliner and associated with rough things, how did he land in a show of soft skills. "There is more to me than Roadies, and people don't know this side. I am in love with music, lots of my friends are musicians and I play the guitar too, though I am an amateur. And this show fulfills one of my dreams to be associated with music, so I am here."

He adds, "I am not an actor, but a reactor, so I asked these people to let me find my own relation with these participants. And today, these guys find an elder brother and a mentor in me." Hmm, that's some news.

For some more reality bites, Raghu had tears in his eyes in one of the episodes. Yes, you read it right, he did, and it was when Wajahat was eliminated. " My trademark has been Roadies, and I am a reality show maker, so eliminations have never affected me, but these guys have made a strong bond with me and I am more than what people see me on Roadies." We thought so!

Apart from Roadies, what's up his sleeve, "I worked 24/7 for six months and all I wanted was a holiday in the mountains, meditate, write a book, join a monastery etc, but I am still working. Splitsvilla is my baby. It's keeping me busy, apart from that I have weird offers coming my way, right from a store launch to the opening of a shop to some serious things like films." So, is it true that he's going to work in an Abbas Tyrewala film, "It's in the pipeline, maybe I do?"

So, is this what we call a celebrity, "I am not a celebrity, though people think me to be. I am an ordinary guy who is doing his job." So, who's a celebrity, according to him? "A film star."

Last, does Roadies go to another season, "Yes, it does."

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

Does the name Neha Bhasin ring a bell? If not, then relate it to Viva-the all-girl band of V-Popstars. Having created a frenzy and become a household name back in 2001, we are sure by now you must have related to the bright eyed, husky voiced, bindaas attitude girl-Neha.

Having turned from a nothing to something, Neha has come a long way and now with this reality show, our lady has turned into a faculty member, who is in charge of the grooming of the contestants. Talking transformation, she says, "I was 19, when I featured in the reality show-V Popstars. And today, I have not only grown up, but on my own, achieved a lot."

Post-Viva breakup, what has kept her busy, "I have developed myself as a singer and performer, have done a lot of playback (most down south), stage shows and now, I'm taking out my first solo music album. It's a mixed genre and has seven tracks. In this album, I have composed two songs and would be releasing it by October or November."

So, was it difficult to establish oneself after the band broke up, "Yes, it was tough, but I don't regret it."

Back to playback, was it a conscious step to sing in Tollywood? "No, it happened by default, but when it comes to singing, I want to sing it all and for me language is not a barrier. Music for me is an expression of the self."

Having won the Best Female Playback Singer award at the Star Vijay Awards for her song Pesugiren from the Tamil film Satham Podhathaey, about her Filmfare award nomination for the Best Female Playback singer category for Kuch Khaas for the Hindi film Fashion, she says, " It was a revelation for me. A kind of disclosure, that I can have an impact on the audience."

From a participant to a judge, how does it feel? "It's a great opportunity for me. This show gives me a chance to talk about how important is performance, and in real life too, I believe performance is as important as singing. You cannot be a good singer till you connect to the audience and today, to grow one has to be an all-rounder. And here, I am teaching the participants this very truth."

Being a participant herself, we ask what difference does she feel? "We were more innocent, knew nothing of reality shows, but these guys have come all prepared, they know what to speak and when to speak."

Any future projects? "I am doing playback for Indra Kumar's Daddy Cool and a single for Raghav Sachar's, Charming Lutera." Good going girl!

Reel life, reality shows and upcoming singing sensations; there is no end to it. And Monday was yet another day when we met some more budding singers, this time three participants of the reality show Sitaron Ko Choona Hai- Nilakshi Bhattacharya, Shantanu Sudame and Yashraj Kapil.

Talented, of course, these guys introduced themselves with a live performance, a zara hatke idea for a press conference, but like others, they too are looking for a career in playback singing-to be precise, Bollywood.

Says Yashraj Kapil, "I always wanted to be a singer. Have never dreamt of any other career than this." That's a clear ambition. So, what has he learnt on the show, "This show has taught me a lot, right from boosting confidence to learning of finer nuances, here we have been taught what performance is."

Shantanu Sudame, a music graduate from Trinity College, London, started his career in music as a lobby musician, then did stage shows and now, this reality show. A guitarist, he says, "I was inseparable from the guitar, but this show has taught me to sing with confidence, that too without the guitar." Ask him a playback singer or a musician and he says, "I flow with the music, I think I'm a musician at heart."

Last but not the least is Nilakshi Bhattacharya, who, to her credit, has done playback singing for Bangla television. Talking about her experience she says, "I was reserved and unconfident, but this show has helped me turn a new leaf. I am more confident, talk a lot and can now perform anywhere in the globe." Ask her to compare this show with any other reality show and she says, "This is not usual. They are not only giving us stardom but grooming us for a lifelong career."

It was the first for Hindustan Motors and Mitsubishi Motors. It was an off-road event to highlight the capability of the Mitsubishi Pajero. Not that it needs any introduction. Known as the King of the Desert, the Pajero has won the gruelling Paris-Dakar Raid record 12 times, the last seven wins being consecutive. This fact has established the pedigree of the Pajero as being one of the most capable off-roaders in the world.

However, most Indian owners of the Pajero have not put it through its paces and it was to prove to the owners the tough capability of the Pajero.

The event Heart in your Mouth saw 31 entries gather at Kalagram recently. Flag-off was by Pritam Saikia, head of marketing of Mitsubishi Motors. It was a wise decision as the heat of the day was over. The adventure started moments after the flag-off. The heavens opened up and it began to pour. We had about 10 kms of tarmac in the city before we entered the dry riverbed. That's when the hailstorm came.

Lallie Sangha, one of Chandigarh's well known and accomplished rallyist, had done the recee earlier that day in completely dry conditions. With the rain, the driving conditions had changed drastically making them more demanding and dangerous. The weather Gods were being generous. Such driving conditions were an off-roader's delight.

The extremely dry sand that provides no traction had been soaked and made driving easier. But spin your wheels even a little and the weight of the Pajero would break through the rain drenched sand crust and get bogged in the soft sand. Very difficult driving conditions but an experience relished by all. In off-roading, bad road conditions make for delightful driving. The best was yet to come.

The rain had filled up the shallow holes dotting the drying riverbeds with water-filled puddles. The danger with these water-filled potholes is that you never know how deep they are. There in lies the danger and danger promises excitement. That, in a nutshell, is what off roading is all about.

Another 8-km down the track is the Sirsa river which is the rough boundary between Punjab and Himachal. During the morning recee, Lallie had experienced a trickle of water in the river. Rain had started in the hills sometimes during the night and continued till midday.

At five thirty, when we got to the river, black clouds had darkened the sky and the river was bumper deep, light was so poor that we had to drive with head lights on.

With bad visibility and a deep river it was going to be fun. Of course, the ever-present danger of potholes in the riverbed had everyone with heart in their mouth!

Another ever-present danger is boulders. The water certainly hides them, so does soft sand. They lie hidden and can do incredible damage to the car. Hit a boulder at speed and chances are you will have to be towed back to the workshop!

Coming out of the river, a marshland awaited the drivers. Step on the accelerator pedal, turn the steering wheel and the car can spin like a top, doing 360 degree turns!

The drive back to Kalagram was through slushy roads, gravel, potholes and finally the ultra smooth roads of Chandigarh.It was time to take your heart out of your mouth and party!

Normally the bulbous plants give spectacular blooms. There are exceptions too. The bulbous plants could give the best of foliage or it could give both, the best of foliage and amazing blooms.

Now, when it is the time to create a theme garden, let us take a stem further and use the concept for theme displays too. For this, let me take the example of Caladium, a bulbous plant. Excuse my calling this rhizomatous plant a bulbous plant. But then, I am addressing to a commoner and not a botanist. Once a cardiologist friend asked me what plant should be most suitable for display near the reception of his newly opened clinic? I told him Caladium. See for yourself the accompanying picture and you will understand why. The blood red foliage has a heart shape. This is one kind and there are numerous with different shades and a mix of red, pink, white and orange. The foliage in some of the varieties is translucent. The leaves have a see-through texture sprayed with colours in a definite fashion. But the leaf is not weak or frail. In the country of its origin, Parague, it is used as a plate for serving.

Caladium does not like the sun and relishes moisture and shade. It gives a good growth in a warm temperature. It is better to keep them in a group of shade-loving plants where besides giving colour to the group they get all that they require. During the monsoons, the underground parts of the plant keep multiplying and new leaves keep emerging from the soil as if coming directly from the roots. With the onset of the winter the colour starts fading and the plant also starts disappearing. The underground rhizomes are extracted and kept for the next spring when these are planted again.

Another bulbous plant that comes in this category with both attractive foliage and blooms is Cyclamen. Allow me to once again call this tuberous beauty the bulbous plant for the reasons cited earlier. Essentially a plant of hilly regions, it has shown promise in Chandigarh plains too. The plant hardly grows to a height of 10 inches or so, and it is due to its dwarf nature and excellent display of delicate blooms that it qualifies as a windowsill plant. The blooms appear in bunches of white, pink, rose red and purple. The foliage too is green grey with variegation and keeps the plant in demand at all times. The plant enjoys the morning sun the most but for only an hour or so. The watering has, however, to be very careful. It requires less amount of water, especially during flowering. Excess watering or any stagnation leads to rotting. After the bloom is over, and the foliage starts fading, the watering is stopped altogether and bulbs extracted from the pots. These are treated with bavistin, dissolved at two gram to a liter of water for two hours and then bulbs are stored in a dark cool place or in sand. Due to the perennial nature of the bulbs, these can be left in soil too.

satishnarula@yahoo.co.in

Awards in any form certainly encourage and inspire all, especially an artiste to achieve more in one's chosen realm. It may sound strange but it is a fact that city-based tabla exponent Mahendra Prasad finds a small reward of currency note of ten rupees denomination (bearing number 83-269322) as his lifetime achievement. However, his claim to fame is not his collection of currency notes but a two-year ICCR contract to teach and perform at the Port of Spain and in Trinidad and Tobago. Prasad, who finds himself at the top of the world, is all set to disseminate the vitality, grandeur and majesty of Indian classical music, especially the percussion, in the alien land.

Born and raised at Benaras, Prasad evinced keen interest in tabla at the age of six and got the initial training from Pandit Badri Maharaj before learning from Pandit Chhote Lal Mishra of Benaras Gharana under the guru shishya tradition. A commerce graduate from Benaras Hindu University, he secured a masters degree in music (tabla) from Indira Kala Sangeet University-Khairagarh. He was awarded Ph.D. by PU, Chandigarh, emerging as the lone recipient of a doctorate in tabla in the city.

Having accompanied the top maestros of Indian classical vocal and instrumental music on stage, Prasad has authored two books on music, including How to Play Tabla in 2007 and Avanaddh Vadya-Sidhant evam vadan parampra in 2008.

"My teaching and performing assignment at the Port of Spain quite challenging and a learning experience as well but nevertheless a golden opportunity in the journey of my music career like many more," he concludes.

Buying a projector is an investment that you want to make sensibly. So, taking the time to do some comparison shopping when it comes to the prices is a smart thing to do and something you certainly won’t regret.

There are several ways you can go about comparing prices on projectors. The first is to visit electronics stores and office-supply stores that sell projectors and check out their prices in the stores. This is an especially good method during sales. It’s also a great way to get a good deal locally because many stores will offer to beat their competitors’ best price by some discount, which can save you even more money.

You can also research and compare prices on projectors online. Doing your price- comparison shopping online makes it possible for you to check out a much larger number of prices on projectors than you can do by going from store to store. This will also make it possible for you to check out the prices on a wider number of brand name projectors and even look into the prices of used projectors. Online auction sites such as eBay are great places to compare prices on used projectors. (Don’t even think of getting a second-hand projector as mostly all second hand projectors have their projection lamp replaced with a cheaper one)

Tech magazines are also a good resource for comparing prices on various projectors. These reports have the advantage of also rating the projectors, so you can compare quality as well as prices on projectors.

This is an important part of comparing prices on anything, whether it’s projectors or cars. You want to get the most value for your money, and that means that many times a medium priced item is actually a better value than a higher priced one because it has more features than a top brand name one has.

Also, even before you start comparing prices on projectors, it’s a good idea to have a budget in mind for what you’re willing to spend for your projector. This will help you focus your price comparison, although you don’t want to rule out looking into projectors that may cost more than you’ve budgeted for because you may run into an unexpected bargain as you do your research.

And if the thought of doing all the research needed to compare prices on projectors sounds like work to you, remember that at least half the fun of making any purchase is in the search, Make a game of it and see just how great a projector you can find for the least amount of money, thanks to your savvy comparison shopping. Then take those savings and splurge on something just for you.

amitpalsinghgrewal@gmail.com

It’s always easy to walk on the obvious route. But the problem lies when you have to tread an unknown path. Now, this isn’t an extract from one of Paulo Coehlo’s book and you certainly need look into one for an answer. All you need to do is to download a Google map from Internet on your mobile phone, and there you are. Not only would you walk with confidence on the unknown path, you would also know where to take a right or left turn. Welcome to yet another much-needed and used benefit of the technology.

So, next time you land up in Delhi or Mumbai, don’t forget to download the local map and move around without any guide in tow.

“Even when most hi-end phones like Nokia E series have a GPS (Global Positioning System), a map downloaded from the net will benefit in more than one ways,” offers Sachin Khurana, a city-based businessman. “It is the best thing, which you can use when you have to get from point A to point B.” He explains. “Through a Google map you can get down to search a given destination to the finest detail if someone has tagged it. Right from the city, the road or the street to where exactly the house is can be found out from the map.”

As for Ankush Arora, a fashion columnist who has a GPS connected to Google map on his Nokia E-63, this is a utilitarian invention in navigation. “People in America and England use it extensively. So do people in Mumbia and Delhi. In Chandigarh too many people have started using it as it gives a near clear picture of the destination. You can also download a map of a particular city from the server to your phone, and accordingly use it to locate any place.”

Google maps provide high-resolution satellite images for most urban areas in Canada, United States and parts of Australia. Google maps also covers many cities.

“In addition to the navigation purpose, maps can also be used for as a good learners guide for kids,” says Manpreet Sodhi, a businessman who deals in hosepipes. “I have downloaded 4-5 maps of various countries on my mobile. Now, I then I sit with my kids and show them various places and what are they famous for. I am sure they wouldn’t have liked the idea had I asked them to cram their geography books. By linking it with technology it has become interesting and educative as well.”

And for those who you who wouldn’t know about it—Google maps are a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free for non-commercial use. Ready to explore Madagascar!

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Just the ring of a cell phone can pose a dangerous distraction for drivers, especially when it comes in a classroom setting or includes a familiar song as a ringtone, says a new study. “In any setting where people are trying to acquire knowledge and trying to retain that information in some way, a distraction that may just seem like a common annoyance to people may have a really disruptive effect on their later retention of that information,” said the study’s lead author, Jill Shelton, a postdoctoral psychology fellow in Arts and Sciences at Washington University in St Louis.

The study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology includes an experiment in which Shelton poses as a student seated in the middle of a crowded undergraduate psychology lecture and allows a cell phone in her handbag to continue ringing loudly for about 30 seconds.

Students exposed to a briefly ringing cell phone scored 25 per cent worse on a test of material presented before the distraction.

Students tested later scored about 25 per cent worse for recall of course content presented during the distraction, even though the same information was covered by the professor just prior to the phone ring and projected as text in a slide show shown throughout the distraction. Students scored even worse when Shelton added to the disturbance by frantically searching her handbag as if attempting to find and silence her ringing phone.

“Many of us consider a cell phone ringing in a public place to be an annoying disruption, but this study confirms that these nuisance noises also have real-life impacts,” Shelton said.

“These seemingly innocuous events are not only a distraction, but they have a real influence on learning,” the expert added.

Titled “The distracting effects of a ringing cell phone: An investigation of the laboratory and the classroom setting,” the study was conducted at Louisiana State University.

The study found that unexpected exposure to snippets of a popular song, such as those often used as ringtones can have an even longer lasting negative impact on attention.

Thus, people who use popular songs as a personal ringtone may be increasing the odds their cell phone rings will be more distracting. — ANI

Godrej Appliances, a leading manufacturer of consumer durables for five decades, on Monday announced their new positioning ‘Designed by Curiosity’, that is in line with the overall Godrej Group philosophy of ‘Brighter Living’ announced last year.

This new positioning for Godrej Appliances was shared by COO George Menezes at the unveiling of their new range of EON air conditioners in Mumbai.

Explaining the new positioning, Menezes said, “The key to our success has been constant innovation to connect with the ever evolving consumers and offering them the relevant technology they need. While we have been effectively using this approach in our product development front, we now want this to be an integral part of the company’s thought process, driving each and every action of ours from product development to marketing, sales, service etc. ‘Designed by Curiosity’ will be a dynamic action process to build a stronger relationship with each and every stakeholder of the Godrej Appliance Brand, especially our consumers.”

While unveiling the new Godrej Appliances brand platform, Brand Ambassador, Preity Zinta said, “Having been closely associated with Godrej Appliances, the quality I admire most about them is their commitment to improve the lives of consumers from technology to service initiatives. Their ‘curious’ approach, just like mine, is what I believe is the right foundation towards innovative products and solutions for the Indian consumer who has been changing so much the last few years.”

The new range of air conditioners incorporates ultramodern technology for high cooling and power saving, and comes in four different capacities of 0.75, 1.0, 1.5 and 2 ton capacities in split AC versions. It is also the widest range of high energy efficient air conditioners being offered by any manufacturer. It is designed in a stunning mirror finish, making it the best looking and trendiest air conditioner range in the market. Priced between Rs 20,790 and Rs36,990, the range will be available at all leading dealers and retail counters. — TNS

Nokia India on Monday announced the launch of its first series 40 touch-input device Nokia 6208 classic. The stylish Nokia 6208 Classic, priced at Rs 13,259, features a sophisticated pen input along with an alphanumeric keypad and handwriting recognition features. Sharing details of the new 6208 classic, Vineet Taneja, marketing director, Nokia India, said, “We are extremely excited to launch the Nokia 6208 Classic truly designed for convenience.

This is our first series 40 touch input aimed to give our consumers an enhanced messaging experience”. Added Mr Taneja, “With a 3.2 megapixel camera, dual LED flash and 8x digital zoom, the Nokia 6208 classic makes capturing memories and sharing moments simple, fun and easy”.

The large 2.4” QVGA touch screen combined with an innovative stylus makes messaging simpler and allows users to write in simplified text and conveniently access the phone’s features. — TNS

The Delhi Metro is fast emerging as a favourite among filmmakers and today it was the turn of superstar Amitabh Bachchan and his son Abhishek, who spend over four hours shooting a sequence of the film Paa along with actor Vidya Balan.

The actor shot the sequence in a moving train, which travelled from Dwarka Sector 9 to the Yamuna Bank station and back. The Bachchans spent over four hours to complete the shoot for Paa, which is being directed by Cheeni Kum fame R Balki, a statement said.

“Yes!! I have travelled to Delhi. We shoot here for Paa, Abhishek and I. And I have to be up at 2.30 am to start my prosthetics for the shoot to start by 7 am!!,” Bachchan earlier wrote in his blog. Earlier Subhash Ghai, Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra and Anurag Kashyap included the metro in films like Black & White, Dev-D and Delhi-6.

Not much is known about Paa, though the grapevines suggest that it will be a ‘real life’ role reversal for Bachchans as Big B will be seen playing Abhishek’s son in the film.Bachchan has given some hints about his “phenomenal” new look in the movie in his blog, stating that the make-up for his character takes four hours. — PTI

The Maharashtra Government on Saturday honoured Bollywood actors — Rekha and Aamir Khan — as well as noted Marathi lyricist Jagdish Khebudkar with awards 
instituted in memory of showman Raj Kapoor and legendary film producer-director V. Shantaram.

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan presented the Raj Kapoor Pratibha Gaurav and Memorial awards to Rekha and Aamir Khan, respectively.

Khebudkar, who has written songs for hundreds of hit Marathi films over five decades, was felicitated with the V. Shantaram award.The award carries cash of Rs 2 lakh and a citation.

Rekha and Aamir Khan expressed their gratitude to Maharashtra for the fame they achieved in the state describing it their ‘Karmabhumi’.

A cultural programme preceded the glittering award function held at sports city at Balewadi. — PTI

Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan and, Salman Khan gathered at the launch of a salon cum fitness centre in Mumbai. Hakim Aalim, the renowned hairstylist of Bollywood, launched yet another hair and fitness lounge at a Mall after his successful hair, spa and tattoo lounges in Bangalore and Mumbai.

“I think he is the greatest stylist not just in India but in the world. Nobody does my hair like this and I think a lot of actors feel that way. The most special thing about him is how he always makes time for us. Wherever we are be it at home or on locations whether in India or even outside India, he always makes time and he comes. I don’t know how he manages his schedule but he keeps all of us happy. So we come for him and we want him to be successful because he is the best,” said Saif Ali Khan.All the guests were personally escorted by Aalim who took them through the entire salon. — ANI

Veteran actor Rajesh Khanna will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the India International Film Awards weekend to be held at Macau, in China from June 11 to 13.

Each year, IIFA honours a member of the Indian film fraternity with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their contributions to Indian cinema. Keeping this in mind, the IIFA Advisory Board and the IIFA Management recognises Rajesh Khanna in its 10th year.

The Lifetime Achievement award has been previously conferred to stalwarts like Lata Mangeshkar, Waheeda Rehmaan, Yash Chopra, Dev Anand, Yash Johar, V K Murthy, Asha Parekh, Dharmendra and Mumtaz.

Sabas Joseph, director of Wizcraft, organiser of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) said, “No rise of a star has been quite as spectacular as that of Rajesh Khanna”.

“Women all over the country swooned over him and the men aped him. Till date songs from his popular films adorn the lips of youth and adolescents ,” Joseph said. — PTI

After stars like Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher and Anil Kapoor, it is now Bollywood’s original villain Prem Chopra who is going the Hollywood way with crossover film Heartland.

Directed by double Emmy winning director Fred Holmes, the film will see the 73-year-old as one of the central characters of the story, which revolves around two villages in Punjab and Texas.

The actor who has worked in over 400 Hindi and Punjabi films said that he accepted the movie only because he had a meaty role and not for the ‘international tag’ which seems to be all the rage nowadays.

“I am the central character in the story, which revolves around two villages, one in Texas and one in Punjab. These two settings are completely different yet similar because the people share similar values, like love for the land and respect for elders,” Chopra told . He will be playing an upright Punjabi farmer Ranveer Singh. — PTI