Rahul Mahajan's ultimate dream is not to entertain the masses through reality shows but serve them through politics

Dynasty politics and dynasty stardom, popularity comes as a complementary gift in both cases. While it's difficult to count the total examples of such success cases, a new addition in the form of Rahul Mahajan will soon be made. And albeit the actor has created some buzz in the glam world, it's politics this time on his agenda, absolutely in tandem with the 'dynasty politics'.

"I will be contesting the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The constituency is yet not decided but I have made up my mind to enter politics." He isn't the member of youth BJP wing yet, "I have seen the party going through various phases. I completely understand its functioning and so there's no need to buy a Rs 100 form to apply for membership of party."

There's a lot of time for the next Lok Sabha elections, so in the meanwhile Rahul is keeping himself busy with a couple of TV shows. He is hosting Job Time TV, a show on NDTV Imagine, and will next be seen in UTV's Switch, which brought him to the city on Monday.

And here comes the stark similarity between controversies' favourite children, Rakhi Sawant and Rahul Mahajan. Both were seen in different seasons of Bigg Boss. Both had their swayamvars on TV. Both even announced their relationship problems on camera. Rakhi only scored better in terms of her insaaf and Rahul is following there as well. In an episode of Switch 2, he will be seen resolving issues between a father and son. " The son wanted to pursue his career in tattoo-making but his father was against it. I helped them understand and respect each other's perspective and the decision was happily accepted by both," informs Rahul about his insaaf.

And the most important piece of information-Rahul gets along with his wife and just returned from his second honeymoon! ashima@tribunemail.com

Woollen kurtis, tunic and woollen dresses dominate the winter fashion scene

It's that time of the year again when we need to wrap ourselves in layers and layers of woollens. Sweaters, jackets, coats and capes are passé-woollen kurtis, dresses and even tunics are in vogue. And, it's the simple cuts, vibrant hues, an easy fall, bold embellishments and an uncluttered neckline that's making the new version of woollen a hit in the market.

From the comfort clothing stashed in the closet for those staying-home afternoons, it's evolved as a glamorous eveningwear spelling sheer elegance, glamour and style. Though the garment kind of originated from the traditional kurta (a garment that is collarless and falls to about the knee of the wearer) it has come a long way from the typical style and is more glamorous than ever before.

Unveiling a warm and stylish winter collection, the brand Maira has short woollen dresses, tunics and kurtis to offer. Says designer Anand from Maira, "We have a range of woollen dresses and tunics that are warm and ideal for casual and office wear. Along with this, we have also designed accessories to match with these outfits. There are multi-coloured pearl strings, belts and bracelets with enamel work and precious stones to add that extra zing to the outfit. And with these pieces the dresses can pass off as party or evening wear,"

He adds, "For formal evenings, we have designed an array of black dresses embellished with bead and metal work since black is going to dominate this winter."

For our women who love ethnic wear (read salwar suit) available across city stores are woollen kurtis that can be teamed either with churidars, slacks or salwars. At Catwalk in Sector 17, you can find long and short kurtis that come sated with embroidery, bead, stone and sequin work. Here you can also pick plain kurtis for a more casual look. Calling it a need for an expanding requirement of western dresses, Akhil Duggar, creative head, Madame, says,

"Sweaters, jackets and coats are not the only things that women want to wear in winters. They need more stylish clothes and to take care of the demand we have tunics, dresses and kurti style woollen tops." Playing with the embellishments, he says, "Accessories have become an integral part of a costume. One needs to attach frills to make it more wearable." These are available in checks, abstract and even digital prints

On the rising demand for woollen dresses and tunics, he says, "The target audience for western clothes has moved from teenagers to 30 plus women and that is the reason of the expanding variety in wools."

Designer Bharti Sachdeva from Bhuvasa Creations in Ludhiana says, "Women want variety in their wardrobe and this is the only reason we are seeing a paradigm shift in dressing styles." Spelling her style in wool she says, "My kurtis are not just plain woollen kurtis but I have mixed and matched varied fabrics. Like brocade and chiffon with wool."

Last, to add to your knowledge on kurti (the hip cousin of kurta), it became popular worldwide in the 1960s and 1970s as Middle-Eastern cultures were embraced as part of the hippie movement. Kurtas were not seen much in the 1980s and early 1990s beyond the normal traditional wear. They began to re-enter the fashion scene in the late 1990s and throughout the early 21st century. And for the latest version of chic and stylised kurti we must thank the Goan designer Wendell Rodricks.

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

…Achcher is the latest to join the Punjabi music industry

There is one thing that is admirable about debutant Punjabi singers--their faith in the Punjabi music industry, which, according to them, can accommodate every singer. You don't often like piercing the whimsical balloon often. When starry-eyed Achher debuts with his Punjabi album Tere Ton Bagair, it is feels rude to pull him out of his dreamland. Why should we, his dreamland soars with music, romantic melodies mixed with a little sadness. This is Achher's first step in the industry, and he has loads to share.

Tere Ton Bagair is releasing in Canada and America by Channel 1 and in the UK and Europe by Limitless Records. His track Jawani was played on BBC radio as one of the most requested tracks of 2008. The singer has all the reasons to smile. "Like any other kid, I had this desire to be a singer. Cliché, but this is reality of my life. I was pursuing an IT job in England but then singing was the aim, the passion and I came back to India for the same," shares Achher.

Surprising. Has the guy not heard of the NRI herd of Punjabi singers making guest appearances in Punjab for their album releases? "Punjabi music is a world-wide phenomenon. In India though, a lot of preference is given to lyrics, which is something that I am in favour of. Also, Punjab is a hub of Punjabi singers," he adds.

Here he goes. We are almost wanting to break into the 'singer singer everywhere song.' "I agree there is a galaxy of singers in Punjab, however, the audiences are smart enough to pick and choose the best,” he concludes.

Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi's annual show showcases art works of some known and lesser-known artists

There is a washing machine that promises to remove dirt hidden in the deepest corners of your clothes, another one claims to provide you a milky white finish, and yet another one goes all out to do everything through a silent treatment. Looking at the swanky custom-made pieces one wonders if there is a machine that can cleanse every socket, nut and bolt of the human system. While scientists rake their grey matter over it, a warm, pleasant looking Sahaya, a healing therapist, who practices at her own Jeevan Sahaya Healing Centre-19 offers some random solutions. Even better than a washing machine.

A theatre artist, an educationist who designed curriculum for kids, Sahaya felt there was more to life, which led her to the journey of self-discovery. Having touched base with herself, putting her to test wherein she had to go beyond the normal and the mundane, having enriched herself with experiences, Sahaya is now ready to share the joy and the healing touch of polarity therapy with friends, and people who feel the need to be healed.

She isn't surprised when we drop in our volley of questions. As if she was expecting those, as skepticism is something she has to deal with, smiles Sahaya, "I have been practicing trauma healing and reiki since 2007, polarity therapy is another dimension in getting to know oneself better, and also rinse people of stress and negativity," she says.

Sahaya followed her teacher Mikael Spector to Auroville where she learned polarity therapy. "I came face to face with my strengths ands weaknesses when my father was fighting with cancer. It was difficult, but life has a meaning and I wanted to find it out," says Sahaya, who has worked as a committed worker with CEVA.

Polarity therapy is a synthesis of eastern wisdom and western scientific tools. It is based on human energy field and its make up. "The most essential aspect of this therapy is that it provides its supporters an insight into human mind." Sahaya designs the healing therapies as per the needs of her clients. Surprisingly, her clients come from all age groups. From teenagers, youngsters to elderly. "Youngsters, generally, come with a lot of pent-up emotions, which can be harmful in the longer run. Healing therapy lightens the system, warms it up and gives an insight to see it better." Lastly, she adds, "It is the commitment from both the sides that helps. The client should be accepting and ready to take it forward."

The first step in successful gardening lies in the promptness in planning and procuring the inputs. It is more important in the tricity areas where every home is a reasonably good garden where normally the demand exceeds the supply and then there is panic buying.

Take for example, the seedlings those who had not planted these in time are still visiting nurseries to procure them. Now, when they are not getting what they wanted to plant, they are submitting to the will of nurserymen who are giving them what ever is available. So is the case with good quality farmyard manure. Now when the time to apply manure and fertilizers to fruit plants is approaching fast, the gardeners should immediately arrange it. Now, when most of the land is colonised and the dairies are far off or almost finished, the manure is in short supply and whatever will be available later will be unripe manure or katcha gobar that is harmful for application as it attracts white ants fast.

One aspect that has missed gardeners' attention is the procurement and proper use of good gardening equipments. The gardeners keep using old equipments for years together without proper upkeep. This is very important as the use of good equipments is must. We are specifically mentioning this now as the time is approaching fast when the deciduous plants will be dormant and will need training and pruning. In winter, the pruning of peach plum, pear, grapes, mulberry etc is carried out. For this, the equipments that we need most are a good secateur and a folding pruning saw. The secateur is used to cut twigs less than an inch round and the saw is used to cut bigger branches. The secateur should be sharp and if not so could be got sharpened before use. The broader side of this equipment should be kept at the lower side of the stem that is to be clipped. The pruning saw is specifically made to prune fruit trees. It has thinner point at the tip to reach crotches, which are otherwise inaccessible due to narrow angles of branches.

satishnarula@pau.edu

The gardening equipments are needed to carry gardening operations only and have no bearing upon plant health. It is not so. A blunt secateur or and irregularly cutting pruning saw could be very damaging for the plant. When the edge of the secateur is blunt we try to detach the twig or the branch by swinging and pulling action that results in uneven cut and further damage to the blade of the secateur. The bark of the tree is also pulled along with the cut twig. Such uneven cuts invite tree borers as they enter through the irregularly cut ends and cause tremendous injury. The twig should be cut with firm hands and in a single hard pressing action.

Study says most teenage girls present a different image of themselves online

‘You might not like the contents of this profile. I can't help it, if you can, decide. I am nothing close to your wildest and weirdest imagination. Forget about loving, caring, honest, this is no girlie talk. I am wind you have never seen, I am rain you cannot make out the shape, I am storm that can take you by surprise….'

Well, the fluidity of thought and the poetic expression in this profile surely takes us by surprise, gets us curious to know more about the man who wrote it. But then, haven't we heard it a zillion times before, 'how can you trust everything and anything written in the profiles of a social networking sites. It would be kind to give the person some benefit of doubt, but after meeting the 'conman' of the above-mentioned profile, there was no scope for it. The man like a storm turned out to be a geek with low self-confidence, who had never dated any girl in life. How on earth can we trust the profile status on social networking sites? Or, can you? Here is an interesting information (boys you have all the reason to smile once!).

A new survey has shown that teenage girls present a different image to the world online than they do in person. The survey based on more than 1,000 girls aged between 14 and 17 has found that many downplay certain aspects of themselves online--like intelligence and kindness.

Well, some of it applies to the boys as well. What say? Here are some comments on the hits and misses of profiles and why?

"One, how can someone even judge a person on the basis of what is mentioned in the profile," Gurpreet Mann, who is preparing for the civil services. "I bet everyone, who is on any kind of social networking site, must have come across all kinds of profiles. My experience says whatever a person writes on the profile he or she is always contrary to it. Only a few write what they are."

So, when you read the adjectives used to highlight the attributes, re-run them in your mind. It could possibly be the opposite. 'I am really honest' can actually mean 'you can buy my loyalty as and when you want' or 'I am fun to be with' may actually translate into 'I bored to death myself'.

"Not exactly," contests RJ Pankaj from 92.7 Big Fm, who has a huge fan following on his profile. "Barring some, I think most people describe themselves with honesty. Also, because Facebook or Twitter are 'the' ways of connecting with friends and the entire world, chances of cooking up a profile are less." Pankaj says he wouldn't write anything, which he doesn't believe in or stands for. "I guess, this trend of 'cooking up profiles' is applicable to teenagers. Professionals or grown ups wouldn't indulge in anything like this."

The study says people write more on the fun and funny aspects which they think will get approved. It might just not be the right forum to display every aspect of their personality. Actor Gavie Chahal raises the issue of privacy. "I would not reveal everything about my personality in my profile. I agree that people come up with such interesting profiles on networking sites contrary to what they are. Some suffer from low self esteem, others don't want to reveal it all." No hard and fast rule here. Write what you want.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

After social networking sites, it’s social TV which is gaining popularity among young people

Years after cable TV changed the entertainment scenario; another fundamental shift is taking place. Today more than 60 per cent of young adults aged 16 to 35 say they are likely to watch TV whilst simultaneously chatting online, says new research by Forrester Consulting carried out for Cisco. These consumers are leading the development of 'Internet or Social TV'. The concept is new and exciting and Samsung is leading this trend by making its Internet@TV application available on its premium Flat Panel television range.

The Internet@TV feature in the Samsung premium 3D, LED and LCD TVs allows users to seamlessly integrate a broad array of Internet content, so you can now surf the web, download or stream applications from various categories such as video, game, sports, lifestyle and info on the Samsung Application store.

Samsung Internet@TV UI features widgets through 'Recommended', 'My Applications' and Samsung Apps. Consumers can access as many as 33 applications like YouTube, picasa, daliymotion, Google maps, AP news sticker, AccuWeather.Com, Dracula's coffin, Dynamic Bowling, Face book, Getty images, history channel, memory, rock swap, Sudoku, TCrew, twitter, USA today from their Samsung television.

The Internet@TV also incorporates an Internet@TV Home feature that allows the consumer customization of 'my favorite widgets', a Product Information Area that promotes new applications as well as an Application Store that is a marketplace to download new widgets submitted by content partners. Furthermore, MOIP (Multimedia over IP) can be used for Video conferencing using large screen or video/voice call using Skype service.

Going beyond entertainment, the Samsung television has thus become a hub of infotainment, with a great deal of interactivity through the apps - access to latest news reports, staying connected with friends, live streaming of HD videos from the web, personal photo viewing from mobile devices, interacting with friends including the ability to record, pause and search video content -all this with the push of a button on the remote control.

These Samsung Flat Panel TVs also enable devices to connect with each other and seamlessly share content through the AllShare feature. The AllShare feature allows users to wirelessly connect their TV with compatible mobile devices such as a PC, Mobile or camera so that users can share movies, photos and music through a single device - the Samsung TV.

The Samsung Internet@TV content service is available across 17 models of Samsung Flat Panel TVs including LED/LCD and Plasma. The series are LED 6500, 6900, 7000, 8000 and 9000 series, LCD 650 and 750 series and PDP 6500 and 7000 series. — TNS

Creating a loud noise in the densely populated affordable handsets market is the all-new mobile Handset manufacturer, XAGE mobiles, with its all-new range of exiting and futuristic handsets like the M108, the Music Masti Mobile. An all-in-one package, the M108 has a lot more to offer than the other conventional handsets in the market and also comes loaded with added features which will blow your mind.

The M108 is just one of the giants from XAGE stable, the most unusual and exciting feature of this power-packed handset is built in 200 watts PMPO speaker, which is a most sort after feature by music lovers. The sleek handset fills the shoes of a mini boom box by giving maximum output from its Big built-in speakers with stereo surround sound. Youngsters on an outing can simply play their favorite tunes on this little marvel and swing to the beats with their bunch of friends.

The M108 also comes with superior multimedia capabilities, this little monster can play MP3, MP4 and various other file formats on the touch of a single button, it also has an option to record your favorite tunes playing on the Radio Station. The M108 comes with a big belly, that is an extendable storage capacity of up to 4 GB thus making your mobile a truly 360 degree, power packed entertainer.

No matter where the location or what time of the day it is, XAGE's new monster will click fabulous images with the crystal clear and high powered lens of its 1.3 megapixel camera and the built-in powerful torch will turn night into day to give you those breathtaking results which you would capture and cherish for a lifetime.

So simply put your shoes and rush to the nearest mobile store to get yours first hand experience on the hottest handset in town, the XAGE M108, which will take your mobile music experience to a whole new and exciting level. — TNS

Accessories play a vital role in the shelf life of a mobile phone

Mobile phones are an integral part of our lives and their presence is greater than before and so are the increasing manufactures and workshops for their repair and maintenance. The mobile phones and their longevity go hand-in- hand with suitable accessories and the market is flooded with it too. Before zeroing in on any of them it is important to know about the latest mobile phone accessories, prices and the best deals, which come with them.

The mobile phone accessories gain special significance when an expensive and high-end mobile phone is concerned. Not many of us can afford to buy iPhones or BlackBerrys at frequent intervals. Expensive mobile phones deserve extra care and suitable mobile phone accessories are a blessing in disguise. Nevertheless, since mobile phones are nothing short of companions, even the most basic handset deserves care and maintenance. Before opting to buy cheap mobile phone accessories it is important to know how are they different from other types.

The Wireless Bluetooth headset is an important mobile phone accessory, which is used to protect the expensive Bluetooth set. The cases and pouches are used to protect the cell phone. Available in leather, jute, plastic and crystal, shoppers may opt for these accessories after knowing the latest prices and can also strike good deals. Chargers and adaptors are very important mobile phone accessories without which, the electronic devices are useless. The battery is the main powerhouse of the cell phone and deserves proper maintenance. Battery covers are one the mobile phone accessories that provide protection and add a quotient of style. Mobile phones with a large display ought to be protected with the help of screen protectors. Mobile phone accessory should be the first one on the list of must buy as it provides additional safety and security for anyone using a mobile phone. Before you buy any accessory take into consideration the comfort, design, and sound quality.

One should be on constant look out for mobile phone accessories best deals. There are many online portals that offer great deals when you opt to buy cheap mobile phone accessories. Online destinations are certain to have great deals in a wide range of cheap mobile accessories. Besides, the online stores have detail information on latest mobile phone accessories prices and reviews, which will help you to find what you want, where you will get it and how much will you get it for, take care while your surf around the net so you look in certified websites only if you want the right information, before your final purchase. amitpalsinghgrewal@gmail.com

The Disk GO USB watch is like a typical James Bond gadget, the face of the watch hides up to 4GB of flash memory, Plug and play for quick and easy transfer from one PC to another, Via USB port on any PC or MAC

More than a sharp-looking watch, the Disk GO USB watch drive is a fully- functioning USB flash drive, plugging directly into your computer's USB port and appearing as a hard drive on your desktop. The Disk GO USB watch drive allows for easy transfer and storage of digital photos, songs, and all other important files. Secure password protection software is built-in for added security it is Water resistant up to 100m and shockproof. Allows for quick and easy insertion and removal. No external power supply needed.

As a big step forward in the evolution of multimedia experience in mobile handsets, Zen Mobile, India's leading mobile handset company today launched it's first ever 3D display mobile handset with pre loaded 3D content - S30. Retailing at Rs 4,599 the S30 sports with a vibrant 2.4 inches screen and high quality speakers, presents a true mobile theatre experience.

According to Deepesh Gupta, managing director, Zen Mobile, "Zen's first 3D handset - S30, marks the beginning of new dimensions in multimedia experience in mobile handsets. With the popularity of 3D televisions, movies and other video content, Zen Mobile now offer's 3D experience in a pocket size mobile phone S 30. S30 uses the 3D-stereoscopic technology to create a 3D experience for viewing images, videos and even the interface, without the 3D glasses, making it very convenient for users".

The Zen S 30's, 2.4 inches(6cm) QVGA screen is designed in such a way that the user can toggle between a normal 2D or 3D user interface as per their choice. The phone is also equipped with various other features such as 3D Menu, Expandable memory upto 8GB, Dual Sim (GSM + GSM), Dual Speaker, 1.3MP Camera, FM Radio, MP3/MP4 player, and free 2 GB memory card. — TNS

SRK's father was considered for a role in Mughal-e-Azam

After doing some action films, Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan is now all set to tickle the funny bone with 'Hera Pheri 4'."I have signed Anees Bazmee's film, 'Hera Pheri 4'. We will start shooting next month," Abhishek said.After three back-to-back action films - Mani Ratnam's 'Raavan', Ashutosh Gowariker's 'Khelenge Hum Jee Jaan Se' and Abhinay Deo's 'Game', the actor has opted for a change and signed a comedy film."I am not a calculating actor. I don't choose the genres," Abhishek told reporters here.The 'Hera Pheri' series started with the funny trio of Akshay Kumar, Suneil Shetty and Paresh Rawal playing the lead in the first two films. But the third one will have a different director as well as actors Sanjay Dutt and Nana Patekar with Abhishek.The film will be produced by Feroz Nadiadwala and directed by Anees Bazmee. The earlier sequels were directed by Priyadarshan. "It is going to be one of the funniest comedies," Abhishek said.The actor will be seen next in Abbas Mustan's 'Players', which is the remake of Hollywood film, 'The Italian Job' alongside Bobby Deol, Sonam Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Sikandar Kher and Omi Vaidya. — PTI

Bollywood actors Ajay Devgan and Emraan Hashmi unveiled the first look of 'Dil To Bacha Hai Ji'. Directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, The film stars Ajay Devgn, Amisha Patel, Emraan Hashmi, Jiah Khan and Omi Vaidya.

Bhandarkar said he had moved away from making serious cinema and that this time he has tried his hand at comedy.

Dil To Bacha Hai Ji is a slice of life, a different cinema. My cinema has always been hard hitting and real. This is also real but comedy as well. The whole genre of this movie is comedy. This is a slice of life and everybody will relate to this subject," said Bhandarkar.

Devgan described the movie as a romantic comedy and added that people from all age groups will connect with it.

"It's a nice romcom (romantic and comedy) with which, I think every youth and people from all age groups will identify. It's a kin of comedy, which happens, in everybody's real life but we don't laugh on it. So, I think it's a different kind of genre," he said.

Dil To Bacha Hai Ji is a tale of three men and their encounters with love. The movie is slated to hit the theatres on January 28. — ANI

Natalie Portman went 'monastic' for Black Swan

Hollywood actor Jessica Alba lets her two-year-old daughter Honor eat only organic food.

The 29-year-old actor is committed to a green lifestyle and doesn't want two-year-old Honor - her child with husband Cash Warren - to eat anything unhealthy so she is very strict with what she serves her at meal times.

"I'm very strict with Honor. She's healthy and on a schedule. We eat organic, our house is all green, we don't waste. It's more about having as green a house as possible. We recycle, we have a hybrid car, we do that kind of stuff," she said.

— IANS