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Incredible Indiiah
They came, they saw and got floored by the festivities
around.Foreigners living in the tricity are loving the feel of Ramlila
and gobbling up gulab jamuns
These guys pronounce India with 'Indiiah' twang. Never mind the map folded in the palms to cross the very connected Sectors 8 and 5. Forget the fact they're 'foreigners' Ignore the culture, conventions, customs and blah blah barriers. For a change, the crossover craze is in reverse gear and they're loving, living, leading up the Incredible India experience! What better way to display than to play the festive season. "India is very popular for its festivals, so being here around this time is revealing," shares Reka Nagy from Hungary, who is a trainee with Elemention Club, CGA range. The girl has been here since August 5 and so far "I've only seen your Independence Day celebrations." Well, that's an occasion, a reason, a day, she's yet to witness the contrast, colour, carnival and all the flamboyance She adds, "This is my first visit to India. Rather it's my first visit to Asia and so far the experience has been mixed and interesting."
Isabell Beringhoff from Germany is here under an AIESEC exchange programme. She so far has a faint idea of what to expect. "Well, I have been here for four weeks and all I know is that Diwali is the festival of lights and people decorate their homes with lights." There's quite a lot that the first timers looking forward to. "With Dussehra falling on Monday, I have three days holidays coming, so I'm heading to Manali," says Reka. She adds, "There's also a festival where women fast for their husbands." Guess she must have got it from some Bollywood flick. Isabell has plans too. "I think I'm going to celebrate and burst crackers and just enjoy myself." Precisely what Pezhman Mohammadi, a
student from DAV College-10 did last year. "I only know about Diwali and Lohri and last year I celebrated Diwali with my Indian and Iranian friends talking, watching, lighting, bursting crackers." He's quick to add, "But not the loud, noisy ones." So, where exactly does the charm of something alien to one's
culture lie? "I think rejoicing all these events and occasions will make me feel one with the culture and part of it. I'll be more of a localite," opines Reka. Rachel Studley, a British running an NGO in tricity, might not indulge in the hard-core revelry typical localite way but loves the feasting part of the fest. She says, "I like barfi, kalakand and gulab jamun." A long list and honestly isn't that where the true festive pull lie? "Yes, that's true. Diwali and all are not part of my culture but still it's fun. What's important is to celebrate and have a good time, I don't care about anything else," sums up Pezhman. Cheers to ultimate festive spirit. manpriya@tribunemail.com |
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Wanna know more? Your brush with true-blue ultimate extravaganza called India festival would be incomplete without these— DiwaliCelebrated by one and all. It's known as the "Festival of Lights" for all the fireworks, small clay lamps, and candles that are lit during the celebrations. These lights are said to represent the victory of good over evil, and brightness over darkness. Ganesh Chaturthi
This one too makes it to the spectacular fest list. The eleven day Ganesh Chaturthi festival honors the birth of the beloved Hindu elephant-headed god, Lord Ganesha. The start of the festival sees huge, elaborately crafted statutes of Ganesha installed in homes and podiums, which have been especially constructed and beautifully decorated. At the end of the festival, the statutes are paraded through the streets, accompanied by much singing and dancing, and then submerged in the ocean. Govinda
The festival of Govinda commemorates the birthday of Lord Krishna. An extremely fun part of the festival involves people climbing on each other and forming a human pyramid to try and reach and break open clay pots filled with curd, which have been strung up high from buildings. Holi
The one that fascinates people, no matter where you come from. Holi is a festival that also celebrates the victory of good over evil, as well as the abundance of the spring harvest season. It's commonly referred to as the "Festival of Colours". People exuberantly throw coloured powder and water all over each other, have parties, and dance under water sprinklers. Bhang (a paste made from cannabis plants) is also traditionally consumed during the celebrations. Holi is a very carefree festival that's great fun to participate in if you don't mind getting wet and dirty. Kerala Temple Festivals
The south Indian state of Kerala is filled with temples that are renowned for their exotic temple festivals. The large processions of elephants, resplendent in ornaments, are the main attractions of these festivals. The processions are accompanied by colourful floats, drummers and other musicians. Navaratri/Dussehra
The first nine days of this festival are known as Navaratri, and are filled with dance in honor of the Mother Goddess. The tenth day, called Dussehra, is devoted to celebrating the defeat of the demon king Ravana by Lord Rama. It also coincides with the victory of the revered warrior Goddess Durga over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. In eastern India, the festival is observed as Durga Puja. Huge statues of the Goddess are made and immersed in the holy Ganges River. The festival is an extremely social and theatrical event, with drama, dance, and cultural performances held throughout the Onam
Onam is a traditional ten-day harvest festival that marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. It's a festival rich in culture and heritage. People strikingly decorate the ground in front of their houses with flowers arranged in beautiful patterns to welcome the King. The festival is also celebrated with new clothes, feasts served on banana leaves, dancing, sports, games, and snake boat races. Pushkar Camel Fair
Quite a hit with non-Indians too. An astonishing 50,000 camels converge on the tiny desert town of Pushkar, in India's state of Rajasthan for the Pushkar Camel Fair. For five days, the camels are dressed up, paraded, shaved, entered into beauty contests, raced, and of course traded. It's a great opportunity to witness an old, traditional style Indian festival. — Courtesy Internet |
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Tum jiyo hazaron saal
Bollywood wishes melody queen Lata Mangeshkar on her 80th birthday Eight decades and 30,000 songs later her voice continues to inspire a nation. As Lata Mangeshkar turned 80 on Monday, September 28, everyone in Bollywood queued up to wish her.The Bharat Ratna awardee, who has lent her voice to songs in over 20 Indian languages, is known for her quest for perfection and undying spirit. From light classical music to film songs and from ghazals to bhajans and pop, she has sung a variety of numbers. Having worked with almost all top music composers and singers in the industry, Lata has also featured in the Guinness Book of Records from 1974 to 1991 for having made the most recordings in the world. Members of Bollywood wished the queen of melody on her birthday and prayed for her long and healthy life. Yash
Chopra: On the occasion of her 80th birthday, I would like to wish Lataji, who has had a long-lasting relationship with Yash Raj Films, happiness, happiness and more happiness with a sincere prayer that she remains forever young. Karisma
Kapoor: I would like to wish Lataji a very happy birthday. The songs that she has sung for my grandfather don't need any explanations. I just want to ask her: how does she still sing so melodiously even at this age? Prasoon
Joshi: My best wishes to Lataji on her birthday. I feel so fortunate that my entry in Bollywood was marked by a song sung by her. I wrote my first song for her, which was the title track of Lajja. It was totally a dream come true. Then my luck again favoured me when I wrote Luka chhupi for her in the film Rang De Basanti. I feel extremely humbled to write songs for someone as great as her. Kunal
Kohli: What can one say about a living legend like Lataji and who am I to say something? I don't think a word has been created to describe her and her contribution to Hindi film music. My best wishes to her for a long and healthy life Mohit
Chauhan: I give my heartiest congratulations to the melody queen. I wish more and more years added to her life. Since childhood I have been listening to her songs and she is still my favourite singer.Sunidhi Chauhan: Words can't express what I feel about her. I only wish that she lives for ever and ever. Kailash
Kher: She is a goddess in human form. Whatever she has achieved till now and the way she sings even till today is just miraculous. I won't call her just a singer; she is music to me. She is a blessing to the nation and all Indians should hope and pray for her long life and good health for many years to come. I wish her a long and healthy life. Sukhwinder
Singh: Lataji's is the voice of the millennium. She is truly an international artist and one of her own kind. For her birthday I just want to say that I hope she lives for 1,000 years. Anand Raj Anand: A very happy birthday to a living
legend – Lataji. —IANS |
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Sound byte
I don't want to sing "crap" in Bollywood, says Sonu Niigaam
"I did not want to work according to anybody's whims and fancies. After 17 years of my career, I think I can take this much liberty to associate myself just with quality music and say no to trash. I have worked hard to be where I am today so I better choose accordingly to protect my reputation," Sonu said. “Item numbers come and go but now I want to sing some eternal songs which have a soothing effect on people....give them moments of relaxation in this fast paced life.” Sonu said. —PTI
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Cause ‘n’ effect
Rinku Kalia, a noted singer and performer from the city believes in the power of talent If you have the talent, the means will follow. Especially if your talent is designed for a cause then the means become a platform for you to make a difference. That’s what Rinku Kalia, a noted singer and a performer from the city believes works to her advantage. “An individual may have his or her limitations but artists enjoy the advantage of reflecting a cause through their work. If I have my credibility as a singer, I’ll get sponsors who will help me reach out to the masses to create awareness,” she says. And this is the reason why this ex-winner of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa will perform at a charity concert at Tagore Theatre on Tuesday. The event will celebrate the Joy of Giving week and Daughter’s Day, and further the cause of supporting girl child. “I’ll be performing geet ghazals along with some popular numbers,” she says. Having been associated with the S-4 trust for quite some time now and after adopting a girl child herself, she feels that the cause still needs a heavy back up. “Despite the tall claims, when it actually comes to adoption, very few people opt for girls. And its not just the rural areas, but the elite and the educated crowd in a city like Chandigarh, too need to move away from the mindset of ‘must have a boy child in the family’.” Sure, leave alone sponsoring ‘her’ education. “We have the support of Gurukul Vidyapeeth, an institution that helps you financially for higher education of girl child,” she says. As for the artist in her, she says, “We have planned to hold auditions across various cities in the country, with a panel of eminent personalities from the world of music selecting singers amongst the younger lot and sponsoring them to chase their dreams.” lifestyle@tribunemail.com
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Optical illusion
Foundation in three shades: One shade should be as close to your skin colour as possible, which you will be using for the entire face. Of the other two, one should be a shade lighter and one a shade darker than your normal foundation.
Blusher: which complements your skin tone. Eye shadows: In shades of brown and grey, along with light and white for highlighting. Others: Eye-liner, eye pencil, lip pencil, apart from lip brush and lipsticks and a sponge for blending. What you have to remember is that blending is of utmost importance, so that no lines of demarcation are visible. Your make-up should look like “whole”, rather than lines and blotches being visible. First, take a good look at yourself. Consider your face as a whole and note individual features, facial flaws and shape of your face. Keep a basic rule in mind. Dark colours help to ‘tone down’ and help a particular feature to recede. Light colours help to emphasise. To make a round face longer: First, apply normal foundation on the entire face, blending with a damp sponge. Then, apply the darker colour foundation along the cheeks, at the fullest part. To make a round face appear longer, blend the blusher from the cheekbones downwards, fading gently outwards. Emphasizing the cheekbones also helps a round face with plump cheeks appear less so. Use your blusher under the cheekbone, starting from under the centre of the eye and going outwards and slightly upwards. Apply highlighter or translucent powder on the cheekbones, to lift them. For a square or rectangular face: Use the dark foundation at the jaw line, in a diagonal line, from the ears to the tip of the chin, on either side. To make a square face appear rounder, apply blusher (rouge) high on the cheekbones, blending it smoothly and softly downwards. If you have a double chin: Apply the darker foundation under the chin line. Apply blusher also, under the chin line, to make a soft shadow and minimize the fullness. Apply lighter colour on the chin and blend well. To make a long face look wider: Use a darker foundation on the forehead and chin, after applying your basic foundation for the entire face. Blusher should be kept to the top half of the face, high on the cheekbones and blended outwards and upwards. To make a wide nose slimmer: Apply a dark foundation on either side, from eyebrows to nostrils and use a lighter one down the centre of the nose, from the bridge of the nose to the tip. If the nose is very broad, use a powder on the nose which is two shades darker than the one you use on your face. To emphasise cheekbones: Use blusher under the cheekbone, starting from under the centre of the eye and going outwards and slightly upwards. Apply highlighter or translucent powder on the cheekbones, to lift them. Both the colours should blend well. For a protruding lip: Use a lipstick, which is one shade darker on the lip which protrudes, upper or lower. To make thin lips look fuller: First apply foundation over the entire lips. Using lip pencil outline the lips, just beyond the natural lip line. Then fill in with lipstick. To play down full lips: First apply foundation. Then outline the lips with lip pencil, just inside the natural lip line. Fill in with lip colour. If you want pouting lips: Apply lipstick all over the lips, leaving out the centre. Apply a lighter colour along with lip gloss on the centre. To play down prominent eyes: Apply a dark shadow over the entire lid and the highlighter (light or white colour) on the brow bone. To widen close-set eyes: Apply dark shadow on the outer side, starting from the centre and going outwards and slightly beyond the outer corners. Eye liner or eye pencil should also start from the centre of the upper lid and go outwards. To lift droopy eyes: Apply the dark shadow in the socket and stop just before the corner, where eyes begin to droop. To play down wide-set eyes: Apply eyeliner or eye pencil from the inner corner, going outwards, along the entire length. To play down sunken/deep-set eyes: Apply light shadow over the eyelid and a darker one on the brow bone, to bring the eyes forward. These are some of the tricks of the trade. See what suits you and try it out several times at home. Never try a new make-up for the first time when you have to go out. One learns from trial and error. Also, practice makes perfect.
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Spade work
However, to get the best effect from your garden, planning and planting is to be done now. But don’t you get bored with the same flowers every year? If yes, then make your choice before planting winter annuals.
You have been planting seasonal flowers since a long time and must have attained perfection too, but making a change is always needed for a new look in the garden. Do not keep repeating the same flowers in the same bed. This will give your garden a stereotype look every year. Always be on a look out for something new.
Even in the same flower type look for different variety from the routine. For example, you must have tried dahlia and must have been growing it for years now, then why not try a cactus dahlia this winter or a pompom. The flower seed market has made tremendous progress and now you can easily get a particular type. It is now; you-name-it and you have it.
Introducing and growing a new type of variety may also give you an opportunity to participate in the winter flower shows besides, who knows, maybe you win! Judges are always on lookout for new introductions on display.
It is not that these are difficult to grow. The one like parrot beak is the clianthus. Look at the colour contrast of black with blood red, only nature can do and repeat it. This plant is also called the Desert Pea or Parrots Bill or Lobsters’ Claw. The plant grows well even under stress conditions. It is a weak stemmed plant and needs some support. Any excess watering may even kill it. It is an excellent pot plant. Keep the soil light. The other plant is the statice. Normally you must have seen statice of yellow, orange or red colour borne singly, but this type is excellent and like other statice, can be dried. It will not change its colour when dried. I will tell you about its name but that I am sure it will not be of any help if you use it to get it from any of the source. Its name is Limonium suworowii. It is better to plant these in the pots directly as it does not transplant well. satishnarula@yahoo.co.in
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Cyber saviour
If you do not want to go through the hassles of buying a gift and then sending it by post, then take a refuge on an online service
"Thank god for online services," says Sumit Kapoor, a legal adviser with a private firm. "It is next to impossible to send gifts through courier to my family staying in Michigan. I've tried it twice but the parcels got displaced. So, this time I relied on www.giftsonline. The site throws numerous options for gifts in different categories and age groups. Be it flowers, chocolates, a Ganesha, you can choose the gift, pay the money online. Rest, everything is taken care of. And, the most amazing part, the gift is delivered in bang one or maximum two days."
Adds Pradeep Sharma, avid blogger and county cricket player from Industrial Area who has been using online gift services for a long time, "Various online sites like takeaway flowers, gifts and more, exotic bouquets offer facilities of flowers and gifts as well. In addition to this, I heavily bank on the perfumed e-cards for Diwali and New Year. Last year I made my own personalised e-card and mailed to my friends across the globe." Pradeep recalls when he had once delivered a dinner set online for her aunt in Missisaga. "She was surprised and ecstatic. She couldn't believe her eyes. I think this is the best thing I can do." All said and done, it is about 'time', which is such a commodity. "Besides, it is also about geographical barrier," says Nimisha Khanna, a glass painter from Panchkula. "Even when I want to go myself and distribute gifts, I cannot. Instead of relying on the postal system, I make use the online services. The charges are pretty nominal too. Lastly, they make sure that your orders are delivered on time." jasmine@tribunemail.com
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Head turner
The all-new Yamaha V-MAX is a power back bike. Hop on for a ride After waiting for decades the, The Indian bike lovers finally get a taste of one of the world's top of the line international superbike, The Yamaha V-Max,V-Max was first introduced in 1985 and has been a Head turner since and lives up to its reputation till now. Yamaha V-MAX is Powered by an all-new 1,679cc liquid-cooled 4-stroke V4 petrol engine that produce 200bhp at 9000 Rpm and 166.8Nm of Torque at 6500 Rpm. V-Max can speed up to 220 Km/h and comes with 5 gears, this V-Max engine is more powerful then 80% of cars and SUVs available in India, the future of this bike in India cannot be predicted but one thing is for sure that the Indian roads are not capable to handle such raw power The rear suspension is a link-type Monocross system, which is fully adjustable for outstanding grip on the road. With all this brute engine force, the new VMAX delivers an unforgettable combination of innovation and acceleration. VMAX will be available in Metallic Black color at an whooping ex-showroom price tag of Rs 20 lakh, the spec which bother me the most is its 15 liter fuel tank and an average of 10 to 12 Km/lt, any ways if you can spend 20 grand's for it I am sure the mileage won’t pinch you. Detail specification:Yamaha VMAX specification Engine Type: 1679cc liquid-cooled 65° V-4, DOHC, 4 valves/cylinder Bore x Stroke: 90.0mm x 66.0mm Compression Ratio: 11.3:1 Fuel Delivery: Fuel Injection with YCC-T and YCC-I Ignition: TCI: Transistor Controlled Ignition Transmission: 5-speed, multiplate slipper clutch Final Drive: Shaft Chassis Suspension/Front: 52mm telescopic cartridge fork w/oxidized titanium coating. Fully adjustable preload, compression and rebound; 4.7 in travel Suspension/Rear: Single shock w/remote reservoir and remote adjustable for preload, compression and rebound Brakes/Front: Dual 320mm wave-type discs; radial mount 6-piston calipers, Brembo® radial pump master cylinder Brakes/Rear: 298mm wave-type disc, single-piston caliper and Brembo® master cylinder Tires/Front: Bridgestone® Radial 120/70-R18 59V Tires/Rear: Bridgestone® Radial 200/50-R18 76V Dimensions Length: 94.3 in Width: 32.3 in Height: 46.8 in Wheelbase: 66.9 inFuel Capacity: 15.2 Liters Fuel Economy: 10 to 12 Kmpl Wet Weight: 305 - 310 Kg
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GizmOH! Would your prefer personal greetings over e-greetings?
Sumit Khurana, avid blogger
Anubhav, RJ with BIG 92.7 FM
Palak, UILS Student at PU
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After a host of foreign concerts and producing his independent music,
versatile singer, Sonu Niigaam is back on the Bollywood front, but this time he means business and that is not to sing "crap".The 36-year-old singer whose Chiggy Wiggy with Australian pop star Kylie Minogue and Don't Say Alvida from Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor starrer Main Aur Mrs Khanna have turned out to be the new chartbusters, said that he consciously cut his Bollywood assignments because he did not want to be associated with low quality music. 
The festive season is here and for all the women who wnat to know the secret of good make-up, it is to emphasise your plus points and play down or camouflage the flaws and minus points. This can be done with the skillful use of make-up. In other words, one can create an illusion with make-up, by giving the face symmetry and camouflaging facial flaws. What you need—
Highlighter: Useful for emphasising areas and camouflaging dark spots and patches. Instead of going for stark white, choose very pale beige or pink, cream or ivory. 
The gardeners look forward to this time of the year, as this is the time when he has the opportunity to prepare his garden for the next spring.
Let me introduce you to two new types. They are not exactly very new introductions, but over the years I have seen very less participation of these kinds and these flowers invariably get a prize. 
Glistening sliverware, gold coins, bouquet of orchids, perfumed greeting cards, box of delicious chocolates…. there is no dearth of festive gifts in the market. So far so good! But when it comes to relatives, friends, and family members living in far off places, there is no way you can relay on the courier or speed post service. Lest you don't intend your relatives to receive those gifts! Here comes the saviour. The online facility helps you deliver not only your best wishes, also your love and care at the click of the button. And, who isn't using it?
Well, the online service is used not only by people who want to send gifts to their loved ones living across seven seas. Just about everyone is making use of them. E-cards and bouquets are the quickest and easiest way to be delivered. The JackandGill service in the city by Nitin Vyas insures that all kinds of bouquets and selected gifts are delivered to your friends anywhere in India. 
The Q2 is the latest line of Bluetooth helmet mounted headsets.
Wind-resistant microphone to work at high-speeds.
Thought counts
Fast
but superficial
E-cards? No way!