Who would want to bid farewell to Facebook? Long-suffering parents and other authority figures for sure, and for a while it seemed that they might have their way.

To the tremendous relief of millions of users worldwide, the “news” about the demise of Facebook was ‘greatly exaggerated.” While some wallowed in misery at the very thought of losing their favourite social networking site, others deftly checked on the Internet and found out that the story was a hoax.

It all started when a news site ‘Weekly World News—The worlds only reliable news’ published the hoax quotations of Mark Zuckerberg in a fictitious press conference in California stating, “Facebook has gotten out of control. The stress of managing this company has ruined my life. I need to put an end to all the madness.” Pressing the panic button, the rumour from the ‘reliable news’ spread like wild fire and was the 14 most talked about topic on Sunday. However, authorities from the website confirmed the news as false and we have the Facebook worshipers heaving a sigh of relief.

Says Sumaer Sandhu, class XII student of Doon School, Dehradun, “Facebook has brought the world closer. Thanks to the site, I have been in touch with my old friends from St John’s. And if at all the site would have come to an end my world would have come to a standstill. Thanks to Mark Zuckerberg for inventing this wonderful world of social networking.”

Says footwear designer Swati Mehrotra, “It’s an exaggerated thought. How can something as big as Facebook come to an end? I don’t think it is true.” Talking about ‘if’ it would have happened she says, “Facebook is an essential part of my daily routine. I check my Facebook profile every 15 minutes and as a designer it helps me promote my product. I get comments that help me improvise on my work and if Facebook had shut, my business would have been badly affected.”

“I took the message of Facebook shutting down very seriously and had even pulled out my pictures. But the news being a hoax is a big relief for me,” says Aneeka Malhotra, kindergarten teacher.

“Thanks to the ‘reliable news’, I had some moments of relief thinking Facebook would come to an end,” says Mona Rajwade, teacher at St John’s. She adds, “Though as a parent it would have been a blessing in disguise, as a user myself I would I have felt bad. This site has helped me reunite with my old friends and I wouldn’t want to lose touch.”

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The Festival is also featuring some contemporary poets of the soil and top of the charts is Gulzar who will recite and discuss his poems with Pawan Verma in a session very poetically titled: Kuch Shehar, Kuch Ped, Kuch Nazmon Ka Khayal. Young Ali Sethi of Lahore, son of Najam and Jugnu, who made a debut with his novel, The Wish Maker, and is a talented singer will be presenting a reading of some of the best Urdu and Punjabi poets. The first day will also have a poetical symposium called Antardhwani: Freedom and Conscience in which Nirupama Dutt will read her Punjabi poems along with poets like Giriraj Kiradoo, Jatin Das, Mangalesh Dabral, Meena Kandasamy, Nirupama Dutt, Priya Sarukkai Chabria, Renee Ranchan and Sheen Kaaf Nizam.

Actor Madhuri Dixit, currently judging a dance reality show on TV, is eyeing Bollywood once again and is ready to play any meaningful role regardless of its age.

The popular star of 1980s and 90s said she is seriously thinking whether to accept the role of mother to actor Sonam Kapoor in the Hindi remake of Freaky Friday.

The movie is slated to be made by her long-time co-star Anil Kapoor's home production.

"I am giving it a thought. I am speaking to Anilji and will let you all know about the status. In real life I am a mother and it is an important consideration. If my role is good then I will surely do it regardless of whether the role is of a mother or any other character," Madhuri said.

Anil and Madhuri have shared screen space in films like Pukar (2000), Beta (1992) and Tezab (1988).

"The scripts should be appealing to me. I want to do something that I will enjoy. I should be excited about the script and my role. When I like any scripts, I will let my audience know about it." "The film industry has changed a lot. Now, the industry is offering a variety of genres. These days innovative and different kind of scripts are being written," said the 43-year-old star, who is settled in America post marriage.

"It has become more disciplined and a corporate-style culture is now prevalent in the industry," she added.

Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr is all set to lend his voice to the character of a genius dog in a new animated film.

The Sherlock Holmes has signed to star as cartoon character Mr Peabody in the big screen adaptation of the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.

The animated feature will be a tale of Mr Peabody's adventures along with his pet boy Sherman as he travels through time using his WABAC time machine, learning about history's greatest figures.

Director Rob Minkoff said the movie would also focus on Mr Peabody's origins. "Mr Peabody is this genetic anomaly. He does have brothers and sisters, all of them non-speaking, no super-smart dogs. He's an outcast, but has overcome it by being so great at so many things." The role of Sherman has not yet been cast while The Simpsons veterans Jeffrey Ventimilia and Joshua Sternin are writing the script. Downey Jr will soon begin recording his voiceover work for the as yet untitled 3-D animation movie with an expected release date of 2014. — PTI 

Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston thinks that the haircut sported by her character Rachel in the hit sitcom Friends during the 90s was "ugly".

The 41-year-old actor, who sported a bouffant-style layered cut done by friend Chris McMillan in 1994, thinks it was the "ugliest haircut ever".

"I love Chris but he's the bane of my existence because he started that damn 'Rachel', which was not my best look. How do I say this? I think it was the ugliest haircut I've ever seen," said Aniston.

The blonde beauty confesses she has since got better at styling her own hair, and now will blow-dry her locks herself instead of letting Chris do it for her.

"He thinks I'm a closet hairdresser. I'll take the hairdryer right out of his hands. He'll kill me for saying this, but I've surpassed him in that department. I'm faster with the blow-dryer." The actor also said she is a fan of looking casual rather than dressed up, even giving up on some make-up in her new film Just Go With It.

"I've been glammed up, I've been glammed down, which is really more me. I didn't wear mascara in Just Go With It.

It's fun transform a little bit - what do I have to lose?" — PTI 

Have a glass of water, count till 10, focus on your breath - heard of hundreds of techniques to control temper? Well, a recent study offers just the opposite. Mad at spouse? Shout. It makes marriages better!

A study by James McNulty, University of Tennessee, says, spouses who forgave their partner's wrongdoing held the grudge and misbehaved the next day.

The adage goes — to err is human, to forgive divine, but it seems there is not much divinity in ordinary mortals. So much so that after forgiving, one can keep acting aggressively for the next four years, according to the study.

We checked with city folks what do they prefer — getting mad or forgiving?

"It's shouting for sure," says Shakeel Rizvi, advertising professional from Sector 35. "Me and my wife, Saba, believe in being open about emotions. So we end up arguing quite often," says Rizvi. But then it doesn't last long. "Any of our fight has never lasted for more than an hour," says Rizvi, who has been married for over a year now. "There is another advantage, when you make up after a fight, one feels even more loved and cared for. All that 'ruthna, manana', is beautiful," he says.

Artist Sikandar and wife Ripu manage it beautifully. Married for seven years now, they have devised a little trick. Shouting is welcome but whosoever makes the first move at reconciliation wins! And who wins most of the time? "Men can never beat their wives," says Sikandar. "I don't see any logic in keeping grudges. Move ahead in life," says Ripu.

In a relationship as intense as marriage, it's heart that rules not logic. And this is what Dr Shakuntala Lavasa, married happily for 33 years, says. "Love thy neighbour, they say. One's life partner is far more closer than neighbour for sure. By that logic it's all love and care that one's spouse deserves." But then getting angry is a natural response. "And, I am in favour of being true to your feelings. There shouldn't be any measured responses though," says Lavasa.

What are you thinking? Just don't be mad at us if it doesn't work out!

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Rakhi Sawant's comment 'Jo bhagwan nahi deta woh doctor deta hai' made every female go white in the face. After all how many of us would want to visit a doctor for that perfect look?

On the contrary, when the market is flooded with products that can help you get that 'fake' look, why bother! The definition of beauty is no longer the same; women are redefining the meaning through all add-ons possible.

So, now even if you have not been lucky enough to have those drop-dead gorgeous looks, don't worry. The kind of products available today can turn you into a stunner overnight!

Are you jealous of Aishwarya Rai's green eyes? Don't worry even you can have them now. Thanks to range of contact lenses! "I have different coloured lens, but my favourite is grey. I use them the maximum. I don't remember the real colour of my eyes now," says Raman Dhamija, a student. For those not satisfied with their eyelashes, there is a range on offer.

Along with a pretty face and trendy clothes, what makes a perfect first impression are nicely done hands. But those who are not patient to grow those perfect nails, don't fret. We have fake nails, which are high on colour and style. Says Simran Kaur, "Nail extensions are an easy way out for those stylish hands."

Tired of plain hair? Exhausted by just curling or straightening them? Go for detachable, coloured streaks. "They are so much in fashion. The best thing is you can match them with your dress. It saves you from boredom," says Rashmi Vij, software engineer.

That means no one is comfortable in his or her skin? "It all depends on individual choice. With growing emphasis on looking good, women want those good looks in an instant," says Neeru Chawla, a schoolteacher.

But watch out. Many times we are so impressed by what these products offer that we overlook their consequences, such as premature ageing or loose skin. But it goes deeper than that. "Many people who go for fake arrangements are low on the self- esteem chart. The chief cause why they take refuge in such things is because they need peer acceptance," says Muskaan Kalra, a counsellor. 

Pimples? Blackheads? Imperfection marks? The battle against acne finally comes to an end. Garnier launches Pure Active – a new generation of concentrated formulas that serve as an efficient solution for acne prone skin.

It’s a formula, which has the unique association of two powerful actives – Salicylic acidwith powerful anti-bacterial properties, and Herbarepair with natural repairing and regenerating properties. Clinically tested on acne prone skin, it’s maximum strength formula works immediately on imperfections and delivers visible results from day one. The new Garnier Pure Active pimple relief roll-on has a metal roller-ball that helps immediately relieve pimples. Its transparent formula is ultra-purifying and non-greasy. Concentrated in alcohol and salicylic acid, it accelerates drying out of pimples; and enriched with Herbarepair, it helps accelerate clearing of pimple marks. Handy to carry around it is easy to use and pleasant to apply anywhere and everywhere. Garnier Pure Active pimple relief roll on is priced at Rs. 199 for 10ml.

The new Garnier Pure Active blackheads uprooting scrub delivers a double ‘anti spots, anti marks’ action. Enriched with an excellent exfoliating ingredient and powerful micro-beads, it not only roots out blackheads but also peels off imperfection marks thanks to its scrubbing properties. Garnier Pure Active blackheads uprooting scrub is priced at Rs. 150 for 100 gms. — TNS

Abstract art is more about understanding, about perceptions, about forms assuming shapes and about meanings you assign to them. Artist Prabhinder Lall's works are as much about the architecture as about the abstract.

Taking a fortnightly workshop at Kalagram, he shares, "I'll be making two-three paintings that border on the abstract with colours like yellow, red and blue. The theme of all the paintings will be same. It's more of an environmental work that I'm doing."

It's been a while since the city-based freelance artist has been working on the architecture, on the city surroundings.

"I'm working on the latest architecture these days; borrowing elements from Le Corbusier's buildings. It's the city surroundings that I put on my canvases."

Part of the workshop is renowned sculptor Shiv Singh's sculpture and two paintings.

Concludes at Kalagram on January 30 

Art may be an extravagant display of one's talent for some, while for others it may be an expression of emotions on the canvas. Nevertheless, creative process is more of a subconscious act rather than a deliberate one," says Vrinda Aggarwal, student of Art Institute of Chicago, at her painting exhibition titled 'Erosion' at the Punjab Kala Bhawan.

"I am very inspired by eroded physical structures that we encounter almost everywhere. This is what I have tried to portray in my work," she adds. Her work comprises 14 paintings based on the theme of weathering of walls ranging from centuries old monuments to those of a house. "Erosion means breaking up. This is one thing we come across in our houses also. So, I tried to paint it keeping the abstract concept in mind," says Vrinda.

Inspired by artists like Sigmar Polke, Pat Steir and Francis Bacon, her paintings are more of conceptual depictions. "I have emphasised on the strokes and patterns, thereby creating an intensity in the picture without complicating the image," she says. All her works are a combination of watercolour, acrylic and ink on paper. She has used colours like black and grey in all of her paintings to make her concept look like real.

"I have mostly used different kinds of paper. I had no fixed idea about the outcome, as there was no definite thought behind any painting. The work displays how the material has reacted to the paper," she says. She prefers to be very critical of her work and never gets satisfied till she gets the best.

Vrinda isn't ready to go by conventions. "I have been taught that every rule of art can be broken. There are so many concepts waiting to be explored. All depends on the artist's perception and response of the audience." Concept or no concept, once the colours are splashed on the canvas, something creative will definitely come up!

This is Team India's best chance of winning the World Cup and you have to believe the claim when it comes from someone who contributed to the win in 1983. Madan Lal, who was in Zirakpur to launch the merchandise of World Cup at Big Bazaar, has enough reasons to support his stand, "All players are in form. Since the world cup is in the subcontinent, support from the home crowd and understanding of pitches will be an advantage."

One obvious difference he sees between the cricket of his time and now is the magnanimity of the game. "The game is a religion in India. Its growth has been manifold and along with it cricketers have benefited as well. Even years after my retirement, I am also growing with the growth of cricket."

Commercialisation of cricket through IPL, he feels, has made the game more popular. "The format involves lesser known players, who, if they prove their caliber, stand a good chance of making it to the national team." As for the big names going unsold at the IPL auction, he says, "A player is big as long as he's able to prove himself on the field. The rule applies to every cricketer, irrespective of his record or team."

Merchandising is yet another proof of growth of cricket. And it sure is, with jerseys, caps, towels, soaps et al hitting the sale counters. "Buying merchandise is one way of becoming part of the carnival. Also it's a style statement, for youngsters love to wear a Sachin Tendulkar or Dhoni's jersey." When it comes to the most stylish Indian cricketer, he has a prompt answer, "Dhoni is naturally stylish; he doesn't even have to make efforts to look better than other cricketers."

Madan feels the team selected for the World Cup has the talent to win it. "The controversy of selecting or keeping out certain players doesn't make enough sense. Ultimately, it'll be the selection committee that will be questioned if Team India fails to perform. However, the players have been selected on the basis of merit and we should expect all positive results." Till then, keep your fingers crossed.

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