Talk of a spa treatment and it's women who come to mind, but wait, that's not the story any more. Men have swiftly joined the spa movement and are rapidly soaking in the sheer pleasures of spa therapy.

Well, going by the responses, more than 35 per cent of spa goers are now men and believe us, they are soaking in all the fun. Says, Munish Bajaj, owner, Seven Seas Spa Lounge-8, "Spas are becoming more and more gender neutral. And men are no longer shy to get a beauty treatment. They have realised that spas have positive effects on their skin and help relieve stress levels. More than that, men have recognised the importance of skin care and how it helps them look and feel younger."

With special treatments now being designed with men in mind, unscented and masculine scents are used for treatments; longer bathrobes and massage tables are provided for improved comfort; masculine magazines are available for reading and the entire ambience is created for the males. Well, what more do men want.

Says Harveen Kathuria, clinic manager, Cleopatra, "Men have become more conscious these days and gone are the times when they would shy away from beauty treatments. These days, we see men walking in for head-to-toe treatments and that includes spas, body massages, facials, pedicures and even manicures." That's some news, but do we have some special treatments for men, " Yes, we have. Keeping in mind their likes and dislikes, there are a number of treatments for men, like java hot stone therapy and French spa." And is it the spas or massages that they like? "They are more inclined towards massages."

While ambience makes all the difference, for men, Harveen says, they do it a little differently, " We use strong aromas for men, brawny fragrances are lighted and meals that we serve to men include more of fresh juices. Grape is one fruit that we definitely serve."

Benefits of visiting a spa are well noted, and now men are either enjoying it alone or with there loved ones.

Agrees Divya Singh, manager, Spa Pevonia -8, "Men are a regular at spas these days, but our spa is on membership basis and we usually see couples walking in together for a good time of relaxation. And they go in for different treatments, depending on what do they want." Ask her what do men want and she says, " They are mostly looking for relaxation therapies. And we have a couple of them. They usually go for Thai massage, a dry massage it helps relax the muscles. Other than this, we have our specialty, Cloud Nine. This therapy is done on a nuvola bed (a special bed for the treatment). After a relaxing massage, the bed is enveloped in a waterbed and one gets a feeling of floating on the cloud. A great stress buster, this is a much liked therapy. Sabai stone-a hot stone therapy is another hit." That's not all, Divya adds, "Men are game for facials too and we have special facials for men. Facial skin fit caviar is an anti-ageing men's facial that is doing really well these days." While a number of men are enjoying the benefits of spa, why not give your guy a little nudge and spoil them with a treatment or a relaxation therapy. Say what?

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

So many roads of influence meet in the persona of Jagbir Rathee that it is indeed arduous to designate him with a single sobriquet.

An academician, anchor, theatre and film actor, director, poet, playwright and above all, a crusader against social evils, Rathee is devoted to the Haryanvi regional culture and folk arts. Born and raised at Jind, Rathee holds a master’s degree in English literature and also in mass communication and is now pursuing a doctorate in folk art. He is on the panel of advisers of the All-India Universities Council for Cultural Affairs.

Having worked as a project director, Haryana Kala Parishad, he is presently the director of Youth Welfare, Mahrishi Dyanand University, Rohtak. Credited with over 25 comedy albums in Haryanavi, TV serials and feature films, including Fifty Fifty, Ikk Begum Badshah, Panghat, Khandani Sarpanch and Shivranajni, besides three Haryanvi dialect music and two video albums. His poetry books Chup Chap Chidi, Bidai Ka Geet, Maati Ka Chulah are widely read and appreciated while his novel Yudhvir was awarded with the Best Literary Creation award by the Haryana Sahitya Akademi.

A graded drama artiste of the All-India Radio, Rathee has won over 300 awards in drama, debate, dance, music and poetry at inter-university and state-level competitions. In the city for participation in a mushaira on the invitation of the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi, Rathee shared his views on certain issues of academic or art affairs.

On the need to propagate vibrant Harynavi folk culture and art at the national or world level, unlike the popular Punjabi folk, he says it lacks vision, planning and effective execution. Speaking from 30 years of experience, he adds, “Efforts have been made to project the rich repertoire of songs and dances in pristine pure raw form, without innovative embellishing, and making it match the taste acceptance of foreign audience. In fact, after the takers evince interest, gradually you can enforce those basic pure forms, like the Punjabi or folk promoters have done it,” says Rathee.

“We listen to only a limited number of songs, which had been preserved through the oral tradition by passing on from one generation to the next but are not documented. Extensive research to explore more repertoires and their documentation is of paramount importance. The research scholars do it, but then their research is limited to the submission of thesis only. The folk art can constitute a bond of union amongst people of different level and culture,” maintains Rathee.

Haryanvi dialect is known for its grace, twang and rustic vigour and is laced with lively humour and vitality that sends the audience into splits. Poets from Haryana dominated at the Hasya Kavi Sammelan organised by the Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi at the Government Museum and Art Gallery-10 on Sunday.

Opening up the laughter inning, Punjabi poet Sufi Jagjit delineated the technical excellence of Internet through which marriages are settled these days. The octogenarian Punjabi poet Hari Singh Dilber, negating his old age, delved deep into romantic fervour in his satirical sixes. He was at his best while attacking the governance and political corruption. But it was T.N. Raz, the prolific Urdu poet of national repute, who established his majestic presence with subtle satirical punches on babudom and corruption. Sample it, "Daftar mein aa hi jaata hoon kuchh waqt kaatne, Vaise kisi ke baap ka nauker nahin hoon mein" or Rishwat kisi se lee bhi toh rishwat kisi ko di, Paida ye rasm'o - raah kiye jaa rha hoon mein."

The rustic yet didactic spells from Haryanvi poets were a treat to relish by the modern city elite. If Master Mahender gave a peep into the pastoral life in Dadi ka ghagara, others like Yogender Moudgil targeted TV channels and unprecedented price rise. Providing the grand finale Jagbir Rathee, while holding the audience in splits, also made them emotional while paying tribute to great martyr S. Bhagat Singh. Conducting the mushaira poet Madhav Kaushik observed" Hansne hasaane ka hunar dhoond rhe hain, hum log duaon mein asar dhoond rhe hain/ Ab koi hamein theek thikaane toh lgaye, Ghar mein hein, magr apna ghar dhoond rhe hein."

Academy chairperson Manju Jaidka outlined the future plans of the Akademi while Dr D.S. Gupt presented a vote of thanks. 

John Abraham is set to get even more stylish. The actor's costumes for director Abbas Tyrewala's film 1:800 Love are being chosen by Hollywood stylist Suzie Harman in London.

The posh Suzie Harman, who dressed up Gerard Butler in Guy Ritchie's 2008 blockbuster Rock n Rolla, will not only be doing the clothes for John but for the entire cast of the film that will be shot in London.

Though Abbas, who made the hit Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na, refused to divulge any details, producer Madhu Mantena confirmed that the international stylist has been roped in.

"Yes, Suzie Harman is on board. How we got her is another story. All the crew of 1:800 Love barring the cinematographer is from London," Mantena said.

Suzie Harman, who has done the entire styling for more than a dozen top British and American films, has been shopping at London's pricey Harrod's store for John. And she has pulled out all stops in getting the right clothes.

"My director Abbas has no hair to tear. But I'm about to go bald worrying about the clothes budget. And it's not just John," Mantena added. "She's dressing up the entire cast...all the characters including the leading lady Pakhi (Tyrewala) and, of course, John."

Apparently the clothes budget for Abbas' film has already shot up three times over. But the producer is not complaining.

"I trust Abbas' judgement completely. And yes it looks like the film will be much costlier than I thought. But good things don't come cheap."

— IANS

If you've paid fewer visits to your hair stylist this season, you aren't the only one. According to one of the top stylists in the capital, the global slowdown has hit the hair styling industry, and women especially in metros are opting now for low-maintenance hair styles.

"Indian women now want styles that last longer, does not require maintenance and are relatively less expensive," Bina Punjani, the creative head of one of Delhi's oldest unisex hair styling salon, Looks, said.

Punjani also gave the stars and models their coiffures at the recent IIFA awards in Macau.

"However, the Indian styling industry has not been affected as much as in Europe and the US. The effects of meltdown are just trickling in. July is a dull season for hair stylists in general; but the trends are apparent going by the demands of the women, who come to me despite the fact Delhi hates to scrimp on hair. Women in the capital want a new hairdo for every occasion. Delhiites hate to be spotted with a bad hair day unlike other metros," she said.

Punjani, who styled most of the participants at the IIFA Awards in Macau, is the first stylist from the capital to have been hired for the job.

She has a wide clientele that include socialites from across the country, expatriates (both men and women), young professionals, leading models and showbiz personalities.

"The look for the hair this season is individualistic, structured, textured and natural. Women and actors want more natural wave, volumes and colours instead of elaborate coiffures and complex layers that were in fashion five years ago," Punjani said.

Long hair for Indian women is still in vogue.

"For instance, Neha Dhupia, who wears her hair naturally long and lustrous, said she would like to have more volume at the IIFA. So I straightened one section of her hair and crimped another for more fluff. I kept the last layer of her hair clean for more texture and structure," she said.

Raima Sen, said Punjani, wanted "more defined and heavier curls".

"I gave her the classic American look with softer and bigger barrel curls," she said.

Asin wanted natural waves rather than "defined curls" while actor Madhavan wanted "textured spikes".

Switching back to the current hair trends in the country, she said colours were the "in-thing".

"Indians are experimenting with colours in a big way. The common hair shades in the capital were maroon, deep browns, orange, autumn leaves (russet), mulberry brown and vintage gold."

Hair colours, explained Punjani, should ideally match the skin tones. "For the dusky Indian skin, I recommend the caramel hair shades, for the wheatish skin, I advise gold and for the fair skin, colours like blue, grey and ash. Colours must always be used to enhance hair cuts," she said.

Howewer, the bob still remains the classic cut across the world and in contemporary working India.

US First Lady Michelle Obama appeared to throw recession out of the window by flashing 5,950 black envelope clutch during a stroll in a wooded landscape outside of Moscow. She sported the expensive shiny manila alligator clutch made by Italian luxury goods company VBH.

Michelle, popularly dubbed as "The First Lady of Fashion", was in the company of her husband, President Barack Obama, during their meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his wife Svetlana.

The clutch forms a part of the label's Spring 2009 collection, reports the New York Daily News.

The mum-of-two has sported pricier items before when she was snapped sporting a pair of sneakers, worth 540 dollars, by French design house Lanvin at a D.C. food bank in late April. —ANI

Heard, pretty often at beauty peagents, ‘If I were granted one wish, I would want to become invisible for a day. Steal chocolate, see what my friends are talking about me,”…….endless probabilities. Twentyfive-year-old Nitin Sharma, student of textile designing, when asked the same question doesn’t think too hard about it. ‘I want to meet Rakhi Sawant and shower her with gifts.’ The very next minute he comes face-to-face with reality. ‘It is completely impossible,’ he says. Quick to add. ‘In reality. However, I can do the same through this.’ He points towards his PC. Some clicks here and there, and we have a virtual Rakhi throwing kisses…..

This is it. An online game based on the TV reality show Rakhi ka Swayamvar. This is cool and interesting. You can be there and still not be there. Online games for various television programmes have bridged the gap between the real and the virtual.

According to Zapak, since the launch of the online Rakhi ka Swayamvar, the gamers have caught over two million Rakhi Sawant kisses. The game features Rakhi Sawant, who is standing on the balcony and throwing objects at the gamer, some with love and some with anger. The gamer has to avoid the objects thrown with anger (belan, broom, egg, garbage bag) and collect objects thrown with love (kisses, rings, roses, garland). The more love objects the user collects, the more he impresses her. “It is an experience beyond television,” says Mukesh Kharbanda, 20, student. “Not everyone can be a part of the various shows and games on television. These online games provide an experience, which is similar to the real.” Mukesh does not deny that these are publicity stunts. “But, they have become pretty popular. A number of my friends play Roadies, Hanumaan and now Rakhi ka Swayamvar.” So much so, Mukesh shares that he has friends who have downloaded the Roadies battleground on their mobile phones.

“Rakhi ka Swayamvar is a different concept,” according to Nikhil Madhok, vice- president, marketing and communications, NDTV Imagine. “We wanted to reach out to the younger audiences on the mobile and Internet and engage them in a show that is exciting and evokes a positive response. Zapak is our gaming partner. We will also be coming up with a mobile version of the same soon.”

Earlier, Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Sey Teez Hai, MTV Roadies Battleground have also had online games of their shows.

Karan Kaura, 25, a regular blogger and someone who ‘virtually’ lives on online gaming, defines it as an addiction. “Easy to get hooked to and almost impossible to leave. Now, they have come up with this new concept of games based on television serials.” However, Pradeep Gangal, managing director, Govindas entertainment Pvt Ltd & Cain Technologies India ltd, sees it as a gimmick for making money.“There is always some amount of money involved in this, which people don’t realise.” Who remembers playing Kaun Banega Crorepati online game? Everybody is making use of new technologies to increase TRPs. On the other hand, when it comes to online gaming with Cartoon Network, kids and youngsters vouch for the excitement. Adds Karan with a smile, “A game of Clone Wars TV Show can sometimes be more adrenaline-pumping than wooing somone or solving a quiz.”

jasmine@tribunemail.com

For all those who have decided to buy a laptop because of the convenience of its portability, keep in mind that there are many laptops in the market, and you will need to go through their specification carefully in order to know if it will suit your particular needs. For instance, there are laptops that fit into the category of desktop replacements, which usually contain everything that a normal desktop PC has and more. However, because of their weight, it would not be a practical choice for travellers. Following are a few quick tips to consider when shopping for your laptop.

If this computer will be just for travelling and as a secondary computer, you may be able to get away with less memory in consideration for other features you may need instead. This could save you money - just something to think about.

The physical size of the laptop is one of the most important things to consider if you will be travelling often. You may want to look into a laptop that is categorised as an ultra portable. Ultra portable laptops usually weigh less than 1.5 kg. Remember heavier the laptop, the more uncomfortable it may be when travelling with other luggage. The average weight of most of the laptops is approximately 2 to 3 kg, but some larger laptops can weigh up to 4 kg or more, which would make travelling with them very inconvenient.

One necessity when travelling with your laptop is Internet access. Look at laptops equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities, normally all modern machines are equipped with Wi-Fi, but it’s no harm asking. Some new model laptop are now equipped with Bluetooth capabilities, which is very helpful if you connect to the Net via your cell phone.

Processing speed is a major consideration and I would suggest buy a laptop with the fastest processing speed. If you’re doing any sort of multimedia tasking look for at least 2.0 GHz or any thing higher.

When checking out RAM, I would suggest a minimum of 1 GB. If you plan to store large amount of music or photos you will need more RAM, especially for the new high mega pixel cameras you need more ram to open large photographs. If you are into any gaming you’ll need a video card with at least 64 MB of RAM, I would suggest go for a 128 MB+ video card. As far as the hard drive, most people can by 80 GB+ if you are working with spreadsheets. For digital photo or video file consider more. New Laptop and Notebooks are packed with 160 GB hard drive or more.

Battery life is a very important consideration when travelling with your computer; nearly all Laptops are installed with Lithium-ion batteries for the longest charge. Keep in mind that if you are using high processing speeds and large amounts of RAM your battery life will be affected. If it’s in your budget you may want to consider purchasing an extra battery.

While we are on the subject of battery life, screen size and resolution are a major factor (screen resolution range from 800 X 600 pixels to 1600 X 1200). Remember, larger the screen and higher the resolution the quicker the juice will be drained from your battery.

DVD or advanced DVD drives are another choice you will need to make. Do you really need one installed on your computer or will an external drive to plug-in only when necessary serve your purpose? Remember this may add unnecessary weight to your computer, I am using an external DVD drive and I am pretty satisfied with it.

Last, whether you plan to purchase your laptop always use and checkout the display model for 20 minutes to see if you are comfortable with such attributes as the weight, display, processing speed and keyboard size. Keyboard size can really vary on the smaller laptops and Notebooks. 20 minutes sound a lot, but trying it out in person really makes a difference in your decision. You will be happy with your purchase if you take the time to decide what you really need.

amitpalsinghgrewal@gmail.com

Haute pick
Weather proof

This is something, which I’d love to have— an electronic weather station. This comes with a remote sensor to monitor the area outside your campsite, your home, the garden, greenhouse or the garage. India is a country, which faces harsh weather conditions. From rain, to snow to fog, to ice, we have wind, hail, sunshine and the scorching heat. And for a person to explore this beautiful country we need to know what is going above and gear-up accordingly.

I have used a portable weather station back in 2005, it was the traditional station model and every now and then I had to go out of my tent just to note the readings. I had to confirm the barometer readings by taking a reading of my weather station and then take a reading from my wristwatch just to confirm if the station meters were working. This portable weather station has nearly everything that is needed to solve my purpose, with the specification mentioned below. 

Weather station

LCD display with cool blue electro luminescent backlight.

Waterproof remote sensor with LCD temperature and humidity readout supplied. Excellent range of up to 40 meters for remote sensor.

Reads in either Celsius or Fahrenheit. Instant indoor and outdoor temperature readout Simultaneous instant indoor and outdoor humidity readout.

Supports up to 3 remote sensors

12-hour weather forecast.

Animated weather symbols: Sunny, fine, cloudy, rain, stormy

Atmospheric pressure in hPa or mmHg

Phases of the moon

12/24 hour clock with alarm

20 cm high

Requires 2 x AA and 2 x AAA batteries  

Thapar University, one of India’s top technical universities, has unveiled ‘TUFF 02 Car’ – a vehicle conceptualised, fabricated, designed and built by a team of students at the University. Fateh Team is all geared up to win this year’s ‘Formula Student 2009’ at the Silverstone Race Track, London. The single seat-racing car ‘TUFF 02’ is off the production line and ready to be shipped to London to participate in this prestigious competition beginning from July 16, 2009.

 Dr. Abhijit Mukherjee, director, Thapar University, said, “At Thapar University, we lay great emphasis on research and innovation in the field of technology. Last year, our team won the ‘Best Endeavor’ Award in the competition. We hope to repeat the outstanding feat this year. Our students have created a brilliant piece of technology, and we are already looking forward to showing off the car in Silver Stone, UK.”  

The car has been designed with the help of advanced technology in the field of automobiles. Some of its space-age features include a frame that has been designed to make the structure light and strong enough to withstand loads during endurance tests. The body is made of plastic-reinforced glass-fibre, making it very light and visually attractive. The body has been designed and tested for minimal aerodynamic drag, which reduces air friction and thereby increases braking performance. The car has wildwood PS1 brakes and pedals imported from the US.

The car suspension is an innovative feat of engineering. The car has an indirect bell crank type suspension, pushrod actuated, double unequal A arm wishbone design to give the vehicle appropriate stability during acceleration and cornering. The car uses imported Hoosier tyres with 3piece magnesium centre and aluminum alloy rim kiezer wheels, saving a total of 32 kgs from the conventional wheel assembly. This reduces the unsprung mass, thereby improving the car’s performance. The wheel assembly has been indigenously designed with the uprights made from SG Iron.

The engine is a UK-made Kawasaki zx6 Ninja, 600 CC naturally aspirated motor, which helps deliver a power of 100bhp under standard conditions. The drive train consists of UK-made Quaife limited slip torson differential. The axles are borrowed from Ford Ikon. The team has extensively used solid works for its FEA analysis, which has enabled it to acquire near optimal designs, reducing the weight of the car and simultaneously increasing its strength. The team has also carried out a suspension analysis on Lotus Shark software. —TNS