Dream girl
Jigyasa Kapoor Chimra

She's the quick-witted, dusky damsel with an hourglass figure, who courted fame after winning the coveted Pantaloons Femina Miss India-Universe title. She's Ekta Choudhary, the new kid on the celeb block. In Zirakpur for a Pantaloons event, the beauty queen starts the conversation, "Wearing the Miss India crown was my childhood dream. And right now I'm living my dream." And when she says childhood, it goes back to when the lady was just six. Hmm... that sure was early.

Back to the question and answer round. Ask her how has the title changed her life and she is quick to say, "I have visited the city a couple of times, alone, with friends and as a model too, but the kind of attention I am getting today spells what I have achieved."

Delhi-based, it was Ekta's conscious decision to join the glam world. "I always wanted to be a model, and there could have been no other profession where I could have fared well," says Ekta. Even before winning the title, Ekta had walked the ramp for known and not-so-known designers.

"Before Miss India happened to me, I walked the ramp for Wills India Fashion Week. I have walked five seasons for them. Apart from that, I did quite a few shows here too." And what's it that she likes about ramp walk? "It's live, challenging and stressful."

Ready to face the competition at Miss Universe, she says, "I have always admired Sushmita Sen. It was after seeing her win the crown of Miss India, I got inspired, and following her, my goal now is to bag the title of Miss Universe."

So, what goes behind the scenes before she takes the centre stage at Miss Universe pageant? "I am being trained for almost everything; right from diction to pronunciation, I have even dance classes to attend." Well, that's some hard work, but fruits of labour are always sweet.

But along with the crown comes responsibility, isn’t it? "It makes you a public figure, who is being constantly watched and followed religiously. And, for the Miss India crown, it makes you a youth icon. You have to be careful about what you say or do as it can affect a lot of lives."

In the business of beauty and fashion, we ask what does fashion mean to her. She replies, "It's an art." She further adds, "Clothes make a man. They make the first impression of a person. For me, fashion is not what is 'in' or 'out', but it is an expression of the self."

And who's her favourite designer? "Malini Ramani, Manish Malhotra and Rohit Bal." Next, we steer the conversation to obsession with size zero and this is her take on the subject , "A person can be size zero and fit. I was a size zero, but what is important is not the size, but fitness. And being a model, one has to be slim but not skinny. And to be fit and slim, one has to follow a nutritious diet and workout religiously."

What about Bollywood? "I could have become a millionaire by answering this question alone," says Ekta. But I have no plans to join Bollywood so far. Right now, I am concentrating on Miss Universe pageant," she concludes.

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

Divine intervention
Manpriya Khurana

Read only
Manpriya Khurana

'Boy meets girl and falls in love' may not be intellectually stimulating. But hey, at least this chik-lit culture is grabbing Gen Y attention!

A new geography teacher comes to Boughton High and the Style Sisters go green! Not with jealousy, but the passionate eco-warrior guy River Trent impresses all the girls with his idealistic views and high principles. And soon Carry and Chloe are tie and dying old t-shirts in their efforts to become green goddesses Take another one. When Carrie realises she's been neglecting them in favour of a boy, she resolves that from now on friends must come first. That was Style Sister's Friends First. It's not about style or sisters or friends or even fiends, but all of them clubbed with heartbreaks, high school, boyfriends, 'special friends', proms It's about chick-lit.

"You know it's junk, not going to stimulate you intellectually or expand your horizons but you want to go on and on. That's the beauty of chic-lit," says Apoorva Sood, a B. Com student. The girl is currently hooked on to Almost Single and especially likes the fast pace of story telling. "This genre is quite a hit with not just youngsters but others as well," informs Anil Sharma, manager sales, Browser's-8, while pulling out quite a few titles.

When the back cover reads 'Debbie loves her school sports captain, who's going out with the blonde cheerleader. Will she get him, will she, won't she? No wonder, many would be interested, would want to go on. "Pink or Black and Almost Single are doing quite ok. That apart, every other title in the genre is generally issued out," says Christina Singh, deputy manager, British Library-9.

In a quiet corner Komaldeep Randhawa, a young executive with the ICICI bank, is busy turning pages of The Matchbreaker by Chris Manby. "It's romantic comedy and reading is a pretty good recreation," she says. That's not it. "I just finished reading Navtej Sarna's The Exile and it was amazing. Can't stop raving about it," she adds while stressing her penchant to read all kinds of titles.

Meanwhile, Cheshta Batra, class IX student, is engrossed in Bogeymen Don't Play Football. "I've just begun with it and it's interesting," she says. Her sister Charvi Batra, UIET student is busy with Shobhaa De's Snapshots. "It's my first book by her and I'm already engrossed," she chips in. "Never mind the genre, self-help, chic-lit, historicals, even if it's complete junk, anything that introduces you to reading is good. Later on, one can move on to serious thought-provoking stuff," opines Arsh Kaur, a lecturer in a city college. Quite true, in time-deprived desktop age, anything that keeps one to reading is good.

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Loving Snowy
Jasmine Singh

Snowy is the best thing that has happened to my family," says actor Sonu Sood of Singh is Kinng fame. The white Labrador is the most pampered and mischievous member of the family. "Snowy plays the dual role-- that of a security guard and of a stress buster," adds the actor who is shooting in Hyderabad for his upcoming Telugu movie. "One look at Snowy and you will know what I mean. He is a brat. One minute you will see him jumping around my father, but when I give him a stern look, he gives a look of indefinable innocence," says the pet lover. However, Sonu would want to share more on pets….

Love thy pet

This is something I have always felt strongly about—if you can't take care of your pet, there is no need of keeping one. Instead, you can take care of stray dogs. It is equally good. We had rounds of discussion at home before going for Snowy. I didn't want to get the pet and then leave him to be looked after by the maid. It was very clear — if we have a pet, then someone from the family should be there to look after him. Only when my father assured me that he would take care of the pet, I bought Snowy home.

Can't live without it

Now, I have more than one reason for going to my hometown, Moga. In addition to my family and friends, now I have Snowy waiting for me. Sometimes, I wonder how can he love me so much even when I get to spend such little time with him. I guess, this is what 'love' is all about-- giving and not expecting anything in return.

Snowy, the guard

It is reassuring and satisfying to know that there is someone to take care of my father back home. Snowy is the perfect guard. He doesn't allow unknown people to even get close to the house. Like all dogs, I believe, Snowy has an amazing sixth sense. Sometimes, he says nothing to guests who come to our place. Rather, he will wag his tail and welcome them inside. And sometimes, he just doesn't seem to stop barking. We take it as a caution signal. jasmine@tribunemail.com

On the run…

As a nation, we are yet not into running. We are only into cricket and thumb exercises like the ones with remote," laughs Rahul S. Verghese, the 'official runner'.

Listen to this. Twenty-five years into marketing, corporate career with blue-chip Motorola, the very multinational Levi's, everything's going fine, he's 48 and then he gives it all up to run! Is still running and running and you guessed! And making the nation run too. It all began in Chicago.

"My first marathon was in Chicago. It's a great city, one of the best in the world," and Rahul discovers the pleasures and profits of the sport. Soon, it's 29 marathons in six continents and still counting. He says, "We're trying to make a record of sorts. It's going to be seven continents with the one in Antarctica still coming up on December 12."

Something in the sport! Talk marathon, hard to not bring up Fauja Singh, the star nonagenarian, Adidas' poster boy. "He's 90 plus, is still running and yes, he remains my hero," smiles Rahul. Anyway, back to backgrounders -- he apprises of Running and Living Infotainment Pvt Ltd. He continues, "We organised our first marathon in June last year and everybody was skeptical about it, saying who's going to run. Hundred and 10 people turned up."

So, what brings him to the city? "We are going to organise a five and 10 km run on July 12, starting from Elemention, CGA." Talking of the city, he says, "Chandigarh is one of the best cities in the country to run. Delhi is quite polluted." Elsewhere? "The US has a running culture, plus variety of geography otherwise. Cape Town is pretty and scenic." As of now, Chandigarh marathon beckons. Get set go! — TNS

The five-letter word
Jasmine Singh

The day the results of the Lok Sabha elections were announced, BJP leader L.K. Advani called Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and and apologised for the personal comments made during the campaign. Manmohan Singh had said, "Well, I was compelled to reply (to the allegations) and I did say a few things (during the campaign) which Adavaniji said had hurt him. Then he rang on May 16 and he expressed regret. In exchange, I apologised to him if I had said anything to hurt his feelings. I look forward to a close relationship with the leader of the opposition."

Now, here it is. The word ‘sorry’ can do miracles. It can soften hearts, bridges gaps, dissolve anger and soothe shattered pride. Despite this, it is the most difficult word to utter. It takes almost nothing to say ‘sorry’, then why doesn’t it come easy. We ask people why the hitch to say sorry.

"When I am wrong, and I have to face it. Man, this sure is a an awkward situation," says Amandeep Saini, a student of biochemistry from Sector 44. "Even when I know a sorry would immediately set matters right, I feel hesitant to say it in the first go." Amandeep sees it as an ego issue. "Not always, but, yes sometimes it it. Sometimes I feel I am incapable of saying it. Especially, when I have to say sorry to my dad. I am scared. It boomerangs. However, with mummy it is damn easy." He admits in the second breathe, "It should be come naturally to us."

Simran Dheer, a designer from Mohali, is of the view that ‘sorry’ is the most over utilised word. "Haven’t you heard, angrez chaley gaye par sorry chod gaye, which is absolutely right," she smiles. "This word is used just about everywhere, anytime, and most of the time an excuse to escape from a grave situation. For instance, my kaarigars sometimes don’t complete a particular dress on time, and when asked for a valid reason, all you get to hear is sorry." She adds, "This word is losing its importance and utility. This could be the reason some people think twice before saying it."

Even when some feel that sorry is a pretty over-rated word, others hold that it needs to be looked at with a right framework. "A message in my mobile says- Apologising does not mean that you are wrong and the other person is right. It only means that you value that relationship much more than your ego," says actor Manav Vij of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi fame. "There could be something seriously wrong with you if you can’t say sorry. I feel we should take responsibility for our wrong. Once this is done, saying sorry is no big deal." Manav also shares that he has seen the worst relationships getting back on track by the mere utterance of sorry. "If you have done wrong, and you admit it, well, it clicks. Nevertheless, never expect the other person to forgive you easily. Let him or her take their own sweet time. Things will fall in place eventually."

All the same, it is not as easy as it sounds. Saying sorry is an art. A polite, crisp and short sorry can work wonders. At the same time, a sorry said abruptly and haphazardly could be more damaging. If you still haven’t figured out, take a lesson or two from the filmwallas. They use the word perrty often, and with such precision that you wouldn’t know where it is coming from—the heart or the surface level.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Flirt with fire

A game called ‘Secret Flirts’, for Nintendo DS, has come under fire because it teaches young girls how to flirt. Family groups have condemned the game that claims to show girls how to "make everyone fall for you," and have described it as a dangerous sexualisation of youth culture.

A promotional video that gives a preview of Secret Flirts begins a groovy young girl giving a sly wink and a Cupid’s arrow piercing a pink heart.

In its first "lessons", the game teaches girls to do their make-up and choose clothes and accessories.

The next lesson is to "improve your attraction" by going to a hairdresser, a beauty centre and a gym.

Then players are ready to listen to advice from the "Love Coach".

According to News.com.au, Secret Flirt promises: "Become more irresistible day after day - then win the heart of the boy of your dreams." Secret Flirt will be available online from June 30, but an Australian retail date has not been announced.

Developed by Smack Down Productions for French company Nobilis Group, the game has been marked suitable for players aged "three plus." Angela Conway, director of Pro-Family Perspectives, criticised the "toxic emphasis" of marketing sexualised themes to a young age group.

"Playing Secret Flirt means playing with the hang-ups and preoccupations of the sexualised culture. Secret Flirt is not likely to help young people develop their unique, well-rounded character... for genuine long-term wellbeing and relationships," said Conway.

She added: "Instead, with its toxic emphasis on reconstructing one’s appearance and personality for the sole purpose of successful flirtation, it risks contributing to sexualisation and increased prevalence of body image problems, depression and anxiety in young people." — ANI

Daddy can do it!

A father, who changes his baby’s diapers and keeps a check on the child’s day-to-day activities, is more likely to be more involved in the kid’s school years as well, according to a University of Illinois study. The study explores the role of parent involvement on student achievement.

“If we want fathers to be involved in school, we need to focus on men building close, loving relationships with their children in the preschool years. When fathers do this, they’re writing a script that says they’re involved in their child’s life, and their expectation is that they’ll go on being involved in that child’s life,” said Brent McBride, a professor of Human Development. He focussed on affection as an example of early parent involvement. “That can be as simple as a father winking at his three-year-old child. If you, as a dad, develop an affectionate way of interacting with your preschooler, later when your child comes home and tells you what he’s done in school that day, the warm, close relationship you’ve built will allow him to approach you with trust, and it will allow you to respond to your child’s enthusiasm or frustration in a positive way,” he said.

He added: “If fathers wait to seek a closer relationship with their child until later in the child’s life, the moment has passed.” However, he explained that parental roles are not scripted for men as they are for women, “As long as a father is providing for his children, he’s usually considered a good father.” “Although we’re trying to encourage fathers to become more engaged in parenting , He believes the best way to make changes is to educate, so that they broaden the definition of parent to mean more than mothers.” — ANI

Weighty issue

Renee writes
Change and the world changes
at lifestyletribune@gmail.com or Life Style, The Tribune, Sector 29-C, Chd

Why are you putting yourself through so much suffering unnecessarily? I’m sure more than half of your angst is imaginary. We all have petty fights and arguments with our siblings as we are growing up but to start carrying so much anger and resentment within you is really uncalled for. You must remember that by carrying negative feelings, you are only harming yourself. It is not really going to bother anyone else. Also, it is all about the vibes you are sending out, if you are constantly emitting enraged and jealous vibes how do you except any better from your siblings. Just change your own attitude and learn to reach out with love. Everything is in abundance, so why limit yourself to negative feelings only? Try to make a good life for yourself. Send out some positive feelings and watch other’s attitude changing towards you.

Unbreak your heart

You have been focusing on a stressful and fearful pattern for far too long at this tender age. It’s about time you stepped out of your circle of negativity and stepped forth into a long and beautiful, healthy and mature relationship with life. It is natural that if as a kid you faced many hardships and they left an indelible impression on your mind but now it is up to you to change your attitude. You understand your own problem fairly well. Why don’t you make a conscious effort to attract positivity? Make some good affirmations "I am free, healthy and happy". Repeat this to yourself five times everyday. It works. Just as your mind got conditioned into bad thoughts, you have to condition it into good ones now. Allow yourself the freedom to breathe and grow. We are all growing and evolving. Move towards a more positive life and you will feel the healing happen, instead of tiredness you will sense the joy in your life.

You can work it out

Young man, for all your disciplined training you seen to be rather lost on the personal front. Of course, you should lay all the cards open in front of your wife. I am sure this is a prank or the work of some nasty person. No body has any business to write anonymous letters to people. It shows a sleazy attitude. Tell her the whole story and see how she feels about the whole thing. Maybe she just has an innocent friendship with the boy next door. Sometimes a small and harmless conversation between two young people can be misconstrued into anything. That’s the way the twisted minds think. Nevertheless, I feel you must put your heart and mind to ease so that you are comfortable with not yourself but also your behavior towards others in the family is good. If there is more to it then meets the eye, well I feel only your wife and you can work it out face to face.

Some mania this!

Kylie Minogue has reportedly roped in songwriters behind the success of Girls Aloud for her big comeback. The Aussie singer was said to have asked hit-making duo Xenomania, who helped the all girls band score 20 consecutive Top Ten singles, to pen smashes for her next album.

"Kylie has been a huge fan of Xenomania for ages," a source said. "With the girls off pursuing solo plans before their next album, she feels the time is right to work with the team who provided them with such staggering success," the source added. Xenomania, producers Brian Higgins and Miranda Cooper, previously teamed up with Kylie on her 2005 single Giving You Up, which grabbed the No 6 spot in the charts. The source added: "Kylie wants to come back with a bang. Her last album, X, sold quite well but it wasn’t the triumphant return to form many people hoped for. By working with Xenomania she hopes she can create a really coherent album which will connect her right back to the pop market." — ANI

Generous Oprah

Chat show queen Oprah Winfrey is surely a generous boss.

Megan says sorry

Transformers star Megan Fox has issued a heartfelt apology to a young male fan after she accidentally snubbed his attempts to get her attention at a recent movie premiere. Fox, 23, claims she had been blinded by the paparazzi’s flashbulbs at the London screening of her new film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and did not see the boy who approached her with a yellow rose. The actor has also slammed the paparazzi for getting in the way and blocking her from loyal fans after the incident. "I feel so sad for him. That’s so terrible. That kills me. There were, like, 80 million people everywhere. It’s dark, all I see are flashes," she said. "Everyone’s yelling different things... and I didn’t know that was happening. If you know his name, I will send him a personal apology. I’m horrified. I would never do that. I’m sorry, sweet boy. I would never do that to you, and I would gladly accept your rose if I see you again," she added. — ANI

Sounds from underground

Zero credibility