An album with Asha Bhonsle and a couple of Bollywood projects don't suggest that the fascination with the Punjabi music is over. For Shankar Sawhney, Punjabi music will always be important as it binds him with the people of Punjab.

"Even abroad, people demand for the Punjabi songs. I have sung more Punjabi numbers than Bollywood tracks."

As of now, it is the album, Return of Melody with Asha Bhonsle that is keeping him busy. The album has four duet songs with Asha Bhonsle. "It is for the first time that I am doing a ghazal album," says Shankar, who was in the city on Tuesday to perform for Panasonic's campaign, Sound for India.

The reason for the change in choice of music is, "I am a trained classical singer but couldn't experiment with the genre as Punjabi music has always been more popular with the people here. Now, I am singing ghazals for my own satisfaction."

Shankar is also composing music for Anupam Kher's brother, Raju Kher's upcoming flick Luv U Ma. "I am also singing a duet number with Sunidhi Chauhan for the movie," he says. A break in Bollywood came late for him but he doesn't regret that. "I got a few offers in the past but I wanted to concentrate on Punjabi music then. Now when I have established myself in the industry, I am game for other options," he signs off.

— Ashima Sehajpal

Such is the fan-following of Harley Davidson that people who drive this machine are offended when someone calls it a bike! So unique are the sounds of Harley motorcycle that there are several US patents protecting them. It is simply impossible to find words to describe this American Iron, but one thing is for sure - it is impossible to take your eyes off the machine!

Haven't got the better of it, then walk into the first dealership store that opened in Chandigarh, near the Rajiv Gandhi IT Park, to check out the 12 models of the heavy cruisers. Often abbreviated HD or Harley, the motorcycles have a distinctive style and sound. Says Sidharth Garg, Director, Himalaya Harley-Davidson, "This is not just another two-wheeler. This is an experience, which cannot be described until one gets a first-hand feel. Across the world, Harley Davidson dealerships are havens for all who seek to experience and share the joys of leisure biking."

As for the machine, it is class apart. Harley's are known for the tradition of heavy customisation that gave rise to the chopper-style motorcycle. Except for the modern VRSC model family, current Harley-Davidson motorcycles reflect the styles of classic Harley designs. At the dealership store you can catch the sight of 12 Harleys - Sporsters, Softail, VRSC and Touring ranging between Rs 6.95 lakh from the basic model to Rs 34 lakh for the hi-end model. In addition to driving a Harley, you can also wear the attitude it brings in with the merchandise that is equally stylish.

Suddenly we are reminded of the pathetic conditions of the roads here. Any answers? "We have some wonderful terrain here and you can cruise the bike through all possible places. It is a swashbucklers' dream machine," shares Sidharth.

Bollywood actors Celina Jaitley and Rahul Bose attended a fashion show in Mumbai on Sunday, where Bose was the showstopper. The show exhibited the collection of Rina Dhaka, as well as upcoming designer Dev R Neil, and showcased bold cuts, chic styles, and flamboyant colours, which included a lot of basic pastel shades.

"The collection had one intention behind it and that was mischief and fun, and I walked for Rina Dhaka, and I think with flowy outfits you can have lot of fun with that, and the way you walk. It's all about mischief, the weather, the monsoon and the flow with which it goes, and Signature has started this Seven Sensations (show), and this show will go to the whole country, and I am very happy that I will walk for different designers in the fashion shows," said Jaitely.

"This is a fashion tour in which there are 14 designers and all of them are not top designers; there are some new designers also. I felt good that in this fashion tour everybody will get the same importance and this tour will see in seven other cities. It is not just Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore; in this you will see Chandigarh, Pune, Hyderabad and many more. It is just wonderful to spread the 14 designers, some old and some new and in different cities," said Bose.

The fashion event, the first of the Signature Seven Sensations Tour, will proceed to seven different cities where14 renowned and upcoming designers will showcase their collections. — ANI

Yesteryears siren Zeenat Aman is all set to reunite with actor Raj Babbar in director Raja Bundela's upcoming movie Dil To Deewana Hai, after a gap of 30 years.

The pair had appeared together for the first time in Insaaf Ka Tarazu back in 1980, in which Zeenat played a model while Babbar played a rapist.

Apart from Zeenat and Babbar, the film marks the Bollywood debut of Aamir Khan's brother Hyder Ali and popular South Indian actor Sadaa.

"The film is a love story but the USP of the film is the people who migrated from India to different parts of the world by sacrificing their family and culture only to return after 15-20 years to see that the people have gone ahead in their lives," Bundela said.

"Zeenat plays a Malaysian woman who is a single parent and so is Babbar. I knew him for a long time and he liked the script," he added.

The actor-director, however, admits that Zeenat was initially apprehensive about her character.

"She was apprehensive to play the role of a woman, who is from a different country but she is more than happy to be back with Babbar after 30 years," Bundela said.

The film will hit theatres on 27 August, this year. — PTI

Fans of Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan thronged the airport in Manali on Tuesday to get a glimpse of the beauty who is here to shoot for her upcoming film Action Replay.Accompanied by her mother, Aishwarya drove straight to the hotel Holiday Inn, where she would stay for a week while shooting the film.While Akshay Kumar, who is paired opposite the former Miss World will arrive her later, her other co-stars Rajpal Yadav and Neha Dhupia flew in yesterday. Action Replay is a big budget period drama where both Aishwarya and Akshay sport retro looks from the 70's and 80's.

Vipul Shah, the director of the movie had to cancel the shooting of film in Manali in June earlier due to the untimely snowfall in the hill town.According to sources, Aishwarya and Akshay will shoot a retro-themed song and will stay for another 4-5 days.Meanwhile, the entire unit remained busy today in shooting indoors at hotel Holiday Inn and will go for outdoor shooting at Dobhi. — PTI 

There's a huge market abroad that is open to Indian films and it's not just non-resident Indians (NRIs), says Anurag Kashyap whose production Udaan was screened at the Cannes film festival.

He also dismisses speculation that he has always wanted only Aamir Khan in his next directorial venture.

"Cannes was a big learning experience for me. After going there, I realised that the film market is so huge. I also realised that we should not think that only the NRI audience will see our films abroad that we make our films accordingly. There are many other markets out there that are open to Indian films," Kashyap said.

Kashyap's Udaan was shown in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes this year. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, it is the coming-of-age story of a teenaged boy who returns to his hometown of Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, after being left at a boarding school for eight years by his father.

Starring Ronit Roy and Rajat Barmecha in the main leads, Udaan is slated to hit the Indian screens July 16.

When asked why he decided to produce it, Kashyap said: "I loved the script a lot. I had told Vikram if no one produces it, you come to me, I will do so. I finally did it."

So, now when he has tried both - direction and production - what does he enjoy more? "Any day direction. That's my passion. In fact, if I had a chance, I would have directed Udaan too, but Vikram didn't leave the film," he said.

Anurag started his career as a screenwriter and then wielded the megaphone for the hard-hitting drama Black Friday (2004) and the thriller No Smoking (2007).

But it was with the critically and commercially acclaimed Dev D (2009) that he got his due in the industry. The Abhay Deol-starrer turned out to be a big draw at the box office.

There has been much speculation about Bombay Velvet, to be directed by Kashyap and produced by Danny Boyle. It was reported that Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir were being considered for the film, but the former was not approached after he refused a role in Boyle's Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire.

However, Kashyap has a different story to tell. "Danny and I had only thought about Aamir for the role and no one else. We have not done the narration yet but I'm hoping that Aamir will like the film and will say yes. — IANS

Hollywood couple Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore have gone on the super-strict Master Cleanse diet together to tone their bodies.

The eating plan, which has been put to use by popstar Beyonce in the past for her role in Dreamgirls, features meals that consist of maple syrup, lemon water and cayenne pepper.

"This is about health!!!" she wrote on micro-blogging website Twitter. "2nd day of master cleanse and off to hike with hubby and the dogs. 2nd day better than the 1st! Let you know if I make it to day 4(sic!)," she said in another post.

Kutcher is also working hard to tone himself with the diet, sacrificing his favourite delicacies.

"9 hrs into the master cleanse. I want a steak, a beer, and a blow-pop. Hmmm this is gonna be rough (sic!)," the 32-year-old actor wrote on his page. — PTI

Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt has got rid of his bearded look and is now back to being completely clean shaved. A month after trimming his much-buzzed about beard for the upcoming movie Moneyball, the 46-year-old actor was spotted here with a fresh new look and no facial hair.

Pitt, who raises six children with partner Angelina Jolie, shaved it all off to play Oakland Athletics' general manager Billy Beane in the movie, which also stars Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robin Wright.

It is based on the true story of Beane and his attempt to create a competitive team despite Oakland's unfavorable financial situation.

The film is based on the 2003 book of the same name written by Michael M Lewis. — PTI

Hollywood star Tom Hanks has said he is still a big kid when it comes to toys and he likes to play with his children's "all the time". The Da Vinci Code star, who is father to Colin, 32, Elizabeth, 28, Chester, 19, and 12-year-old Truman, enjoys playing with his children's toys.

"I play with toys all the time. I play with the little goofy things my kids still have like cars and planes and I hold them up and imagine the same stories I did when I was a kid," said Hanks, who voices the character of cowboy doll Woody in Toy Story 3.

"My own toys weren't collectibles - they went through hard use so any toy I had was eventually pounded out of existence or they broke. They went the best way any toys can - they were played with out of existence," he added. However, the 54-year-old actor also revealed he found it difficult to make friends as a child, something which has transferred to his adult life. "Since I moved around so much as a kid, I didn't have an awful lot of friends. — PTI

They don't teach you in the syllabus, they won't give it in the prospectus; neither in the handbook of information nor on the notice board…not even in the orientation course.

Close to 300 medals, 30 trophies, countless competitions, and somebody please don't get her started on the number of certificates…who says bare quantity doesn't count? Sheer statistics qualify Aanchal Bajwa, UIET student, to introduce our super-achievers column. Starting today, bringing you people who have a stake in talent, who have some claim to fame, who are achievers in their own right.

"I must be having close to 800 or may be 900 certificates…I don't know my mother has this huge trunk and I've kept them all there because files wouldn't hold them," says the second-year Information Technology student. Achievements form a part of her introductions and she gets started on one after the other. "I've done my entire schooling from YPS and when I was Class XIth I got a national child award from the Goverment of India for extra-curricular activities."

She adds, "It's like only one student from Punjab got it. I topped the Tricity in Class XIIth ISC boards in 2009." Then there's the International Award for social service. Needless to say, the all rounder awards for Class 8th, 9th and 10th. "I was always into school theatre, music, dance, ICSE debates, was an athlete…"Now it feels if I had stuck to one thing maybe I would have gone much further and done much more. Because it's like I reached the nationals of everything and that's it. But at the time I wanted to be into everything,” she adds.

Into everything she's been; Wushu to swimming, athletics, handball… "A lot of people ask me how I manage time and balance everything but I feel the busier you keep yourself, the more you end up doing. It's like you somehow manage."

Since the high school days, the extra-curricular streak hasn't changed. She adds, "Even right now, I try to do whatever platform I'm being given. Though comparatively, I haven't been doing a lot but I was involved with college fest Goonj, in debates, was a part of the committee on fashion show…"

Post the current studies, she plans to sit through GMAT. "May be I'll get hold of an MBA degree from a good university." Way to go! 

Social networking website Facebook has introduced a new Internet safety application which will allow British teenagers to report suspicious or inappropriate online behaviour.

The "panic button", which was launched after months of negotiations between the website and Britain's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop), is aimed at young children who can report abuse to child protection authorities.

In a statement, Jim Gamble, Ceop's chief executive, said: "Our dialogue with Facebook about adopting the ClickCeop button is well documented - today however is a good day for child protection.

"By adding this application, Facebook users will have direct access to all the services that sit behind our ClickCeop button which should provide reassurance to every parent with teenagers on the site." One installed, the application appears on their homepage to say that "they are in control online".

Ceop, the government law enforcement agency tasked with tracking down online sex offenders, called for a panic button to be installed on social networking sites last November.

Bebo became the first network to add the button with MySpace following suit, but Facebook resisted the change, saying its own reporting systems were sufficient.

Pressure mounted on Facebook following the rape and murder of 17-year-old Ashleigh Hall by a 33-year-old convicted sex offender, posing as a teenage boy, who she met on Facebook.

Forty-four police chiefs in England, Wales and Scotland, signed a letter backing Ceop's call for a panic button on every Facebook page.

Facebook's head of communications in the UK, Sophy Silver, told BBC News that the new application would integrate reporting into both Facebook and Ceop's systems.

"Both sides are happy as to where we have got," she said.

"We still have the Facebook reporting system and by having a pre-packaged application that users play an active part in, you not only help keep them safe, it makes all of their friends aware too, and acts as a viral awareness campaign.

"Ultimately though, this makes for a safer environment for users and that's the most important part," she added. — PTI

Do you think you understand basic grammar of English just because it's your native language? If you do, then you are most probably wrong. A new study said that even native speakers have difficulty identifying the meaning of passive sentences, such as '"the soldier was hit by the sailor".

One reason for this could be that less-educated native English speakers have less experience of grammar.

"Regardless of educational attainment or dialect, we are all supposed to be equally good at grammar, in the sense of being able to use grammatical cues to understand the meaning of sentences," the Scotsman quoted Researcher Ewa Dabrowska as saying.

"These findings could have a number of implications. If a significant proportion of the population does not understand passive sentences, then notices and other forms of written information may have to be rewritten and literacy strategies changed," she added. — ANI

Clinical studies on children have become a regular feature in medical journals, but a new review of such trials has found that about half of them, especially the industry-funded ones, appear to be biased.

The review by a team from the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Maryland, found that 40 to 60 per cent of the studies either failed to take steps to minimise risk for bias or to at least properly describe those measures.

The researchers, who examined 150 randomised controlled paediatric trials, all published in well-regarded medical journals, said their findings should be taken as an eye-opener and advised medicos to be critical readers of studies, even in highly respected journals.

The report, published in journal Pediatrics, showed that experimental trials sponsored by pharmaceutical or medical-device makers, along with studies that are not registered in a public-access database, had higher risk for bias.

So were trials that evaluate the effects of behavioural therapies rather than medication, the report stated. “There are thousands of paediatric trials going on in the world right now and given the risk that comes from distorted findings, we must ensure vigilance in how these studies are designed, conducted and judged,” said lead researcher Michael Crocetti, a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins Children’s Centre.

“Our review is intended as a step in that direction.” The researchers said results of clinical trials, when peer-reviewed and published in reputable medical journals, can influence the practice of medicine and patient care.

But, a poorly designed or executed trial can lead researchers to erroneous conclusions about the effectiveness of a drug or a procedure, they said. Citing the degree of bias risk in the studies they reviewed, the researchers cautioned pediatricians to be critical readers of studies, even in highly respected journals.

The investigators advised that when reading a report on a trial, pediatricians should not merely look at the bottom line but ask two essential questions: How did the researchers reach the conclusion? And was their analysis unbiased? Doctors should apply “smell tests”, common sense and skeptical judgement about whether the conclusions fit the data, especially when a study boasts dramatic effects or drastic improvement, they said. — PTI

From the entrance of the exhibition hall of Alliance Francaise if you take a glance at the photographs on the wall, it doesn’t take much to make out why the exhibition is titled ‘Colorful India’.

Beginning from the first painting of a horse that has a colourful strap of a bell around its neck to the last one of people playing holi (hung at the far end of the hall), there are ample colours in every frame. Colours of clothes, Holi, those used in prayers and even those that showcase the beauty of Ladakh, Rajasthan, Kutch, Uttarakhand have all been captured by Poras Chaudhary, a professional photographer. In all 38 frames at the exhibition, India looks as colourful as it can!

The first frame that catches attention is that of close to a 100 people from a nondescript village in Himachal Pradesh sitting together and watching a wrestling match. “There is no recreational facility in this village, which is the reason why villagers attend such local functions.” A few other people-centric photographs have been clicked in Rajasthan and Kutch. One shows a woman wearing her traditional attire – ‘ghagra choli. “Besides the obviously colourful clothes, colours in the nose ring of the woman explain why the picture was clicked.” In another picture, the focus is on the face of a man wearing a Rajasthani turban. “What adds colour to the face is the abundance of kohl on the man’s eyes.”

And how can one miss out on the colours of Holi? Poras, in as many as 10 frames, has captured Holi celebrations in Mathura and Vrindavan. “People forget caste, creed, age, gender, religion to together enjoy festivals. Different colours are also symbolic of India’s unity in diversity.” He has also shown the connection between colours and spirituality through a few photographs. “During a havan in Kurukshetra, I realised that every material used for prayers had a different colour.”

Photographs clicked in Ladakh focus on the colours of nature. “Ladakh has more colours to it than the snow-clad mountains. The green valleys, bright blue lakes, multicoloured sky during sunrise and sunset make for the best clicks.” A photo in Pushkar captures the sunset. It has the blue sky merging with the red, orange and yellow of the sun in the backdrop. The focus, however, is on the shadows of people and a camel in the desert. The frames say it all!

On till August 3