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Just click to select a
biwi!
Next step, select a language you want her to speak in. You wouldn't miss her for a minute; you can always listen to her speak on a scooter or while you are taking a walk. Third step, select a time so that your heartbeats can rhyme, and next choose the time you want to receive the call - morning, afternoon, night. And the final step - before you become a married fellow enter your name, mobile number and email id. Congratulations! You are a 'virtual' married guy! Yes, you heard us right. BharatMatrimony, the matrimonial website in partnership with WebChutney, comes up with a unique site 'Biwi Ho To Aisi' (BHTA), which gives unmarried men a taste of what it's like to be married. BHTA is a concept where users can choose their virtual wife from a list of characters that closely resemble real-life personalities. Upon logging into the system with a special code, an individual embarks on a voyage of personal interaction that revolves around his daily life in five easy steps. On the website, men can select their 'virtual wife' from a list, each of whom have a unique character and style of speaking. This gives the user an actual feel of being married to her. The interactions with the virtual wife happen through a simple reminder service that the user subscribes for his mobile phone. From loving reminders to eating lunch or breakfast to filling you in on the latest soaps or gossip, or simply for that romantic just-like-that-call, the virtual wife is always there for her ‘husband’. This sure sounds exciting, what say boys? Getting a taste of being married before getting married! The virtual treat could be quiet an eye-opener. This is what Mahesh Sharma, a marketing professional with Gia Electronics feels. He chose a professional, career-oriented virtual wife, but after the stint, which lasted for three days, Mahesh has changed his opinion. "I think a homely girl is better than a career-oriented one. Imagine, I would have got married and then found out that career kinds is not something I would want as my wife," he adds. "I would be searching for a second wife had I not had a stint with this useful website." Don't tell me boys, it doesn't entice you! Besides, the service is absolutely free of cost. As Murugavel Janakiraman, founder and CEO, BharatMatrimony says, "We already have 11,000 people checking 'Biwi Ho To Aisi' and the number is increasing everyday. We are already getting calls from women who want us to start a site asking us to give us options for men who can cook, men who can take them to shop et al." Before you take a virtual plunge, here is someone to tell you how marriage is or could be! So, if you select a caring, talkative wife the SMSes could be something like - had your lunch, pick the kids from school, going for shopping, when are you leaving from office! If control freak is your choice then it could be something like - don't have too much sugar, don't drive fast! Saslim Salim, head content and a social media initiatives, breaks in laughter, “You have a choice to select frequency of messages you would want to receive once a week, twice a week or more." Ready to log in? jasmine@tribunemail.com |
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‘Twilight hunk Robert Pattinson is eager to showcase his musical skills on the big screen by playing legendary rock singer Jeff Buckley in a planned biopic. The British actor has approached producers to star as the late Hallelujah hitmaker once he wraps up the last two movies in the vampire franchise. But Pattinson, who sang on the Twilight soundtrack, has a daunting task of impressing the bosses, with actors James Franco and James Marsden also vying for the part. "I've met actors who are keen on the part and Robert was one... The actor must be able to play music and sing, or at least make it believable he can do that," producer Michelle Sy said. The 24-year-old actor has already received a thumbs up from Buckley's mother, Mary Guibert. "Robert is a fine young actor. I'm flattered he's been linked to the project. When the times comes we'll give everybody an opportunity to be seen and heard," Guibert said. The legendary singer died in 1997 due to accidental drowning in Tennessee at the age of 30. — PTI
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Maker of a pot-boiler
Three years back, when Jasvinder was given the task of writing the script for the movie that would celebrate 50 years of Dharmendra in Bollywood, he knew it wasn't going to be easy. "I took two complete years to finish the script. I knew it had to be a tribute to Dharamji's contribution to the industry and so nothing but the best would do," says Jasvinder, who was in the city on a personal visit. He has worked as the assistant director to Chanderprakash Bedi, director of Pinjar, who introduced him to Sunny Deol. The recommendation came only because Bedi had tapped Jasvinder's potential. He was also one of the winners of the Indian Scriptwriting Workshop held in 2008. As for writing characters of all the three Deols, he says, "We wanted to bring in nostalgia from Dharamji's hits and the macho traits of Deols." While critics might say that he chose the safer option of writing a pot-boiler, Jasvinder says there were challenges still. "Majority of the films have the same plot of emotions, drama, action, romance, but the test is to ensure that all the vital elements are there in an original script." He says that the film, in a way, is also a tribute to the golden period of cinema during 1970's. "From a rickshaw-puller to the CEO of a company, everyone was part of the audience during the 70s. Real cinema is the one that's for the masses and not for the classes." He too incorporated the essentials of cinema in his film. "Reel-life projects the real life. When everyday we experience different emotions, how can the movies be made minus them?" A die-hard fan of Manmohan Desai's films, he too brought in the concept of two brothers separated by circumstances during childhood and then coming together when they grew up. After the success of Yamla, Pagla Deewana, on the cards is the sequel of the film. "And I promise a pot-boiler once again. I am inspired by the likes of Raj Kumar Hirani's Munna Bhai series and 3 idiots and even by Dabangg, which celebrate life and have a standard happy ending." Just as it's a happy ending for his debut script Yamla Pagla Deewana! ashima@tribunemail.com
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Road to hell
The hunt in Chandigarh finally comes to an end and the Roadies who have made it to the biggest cult reality show MTV Hero Honda Roadies 8- Shortcut to Hell are 3 shortlisted aspirants Anamika Dutta, Mohit Saggar and Rahul Sheoran. The three have braved the grilling from the terrible trio — Raghu, Rajiv and Rannvijay and come out stronger to fulfill their dreams of becoming a roadie. They are the chosen ones from thousands of roadies aspirants who auditioned in Chandigarh. Missed all the action? The very care free and bold kudi Anamika with spontaneous Rahul and upfront Mohit mundas of Chandigarh will be joining the first contestant of the season- Ceat MTV Hero Honda Roadies Battleground 3- Highway to Hell winner Vibhor Sharma from Delhi to be part of the final 13 of MTV Hero Honda Roadies 8- Shortcut to Hell. In the past, Chandigarh has given one of the best and the toughest Roadies of all time like Rannvijay, Ayushman, Bani and Ashutosh to name a few. Will the three be able to live up to the standards? Do they have it in them to go down in history? Don't miss the most exciting show on Indian Television. Check out Anamika is a tomboy at heart, she is in Roadies to tick off a whole load of stuff from her list she wants to do before she dies. A 21st century girl who knows her stuff and is not afraid to shine in her originality. Fears: Blindness or being handicap, dislikes taking help. Reason to Ride: Believes life is full of experiences that arrive at the most unexpected moments and prefers not to miss out on them. Also being on Roadies was on her list of things to do. Honesty or Success: Honesty. At the end of the day if I can't face myself, it's not worth it. Society decides right & wrong. Agree/Disagree: Disagree, society decides what is convenient, which is not always right. Three Adjectives to describe yourself: Sensible, Creative & Unconventional. Is all fair in love & war? Yes if both parties know about this clause. Weirdest thing she has done to impress someone: Learnt Tamil for a guy who was from Kerala and also learnt the entire rap of Smack That A*s as it was his favorite song! Rahul Sheoran Fears: He has many, he is afraid of death, of water and most of all, ending up being a nobody. Reason to Ride: He is looking forward to the prize money, free food & travel. Apart from this, he is looking forward to the exposure to something different and the opportunity to do new things. Honesty or Success: He believes that in his case he would not be honest. Hence he would definitely choose success. Society Decides right & wrong. Agree/Disagree: Maybe, as long as it does not interfere with his life he does not really care. Three Adjectives to describe him: Crazy, cool & collected. Is all fair in love & war? Definitely, everything was fair when he loved this one girl and everything was fair when her brothers beat him up. Weirdest thing he has done to impress someone: He has chased a girl on the bike for weeks and ended up being chased by her brother for punches Mohit Saggar Fears: Loss of a Family Member, other than that none. Reason to Ride: Believes that the thrill in his life has run out and at his age he has achieved a lot, hence lost his freedom. Roadies is his saving grace. Honesty or Success: Success is based on honesty and hard work, so honesty. Society Decides right & wrong. Agree/Disagree: Disagree, a person's conscience decides what's right and what's wrong. Three Adjectives to describe him: Ambitious, Will-powered and Dedicated. Is all fair in love & war? Love is a war, but he believes in fair play Weirdest thing he has done to impress someone: Wrote a book for a girl with details of all their exchanges, his plans for their future and even some illustrations! |
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Geek SPEAK
Voltage fluctuations mostly impact the core machinery of the appliance, which can seriously damage them. For this reason, a good voltage converter is essential. And if you are a frequent traveller and carry your laptop with you, you should buy a good travel voltage converter. Standard Voltage: This is something very important. When you buy an international voltage converter, you must check the standard voltage power of your accommodation. This helps you get a better idea of fluctuation levels. You will need to know the voltage of your electrical appliances as well as the voltage of the outlets in that particular country. A step up voltage converter will convert the voltage from 110 volts to 230 volts. A step down converter will convert the voltage from 230 volts to 110 volts. Converters are labelled to display their capabilities, such as "220V to 110V Converter". Voltage converters also vary with wattage, which can be more or less with different types of appliances. Non-heating items and electric shavers require only a 50-watt voltage converter while items that heat up (such as curling irons, clothes irons, and hair dryers) will most likely need a 1600-watt converter. If you plan to take with you a multi-system TV or a multi-system LCD TV, you'll need a voltage converter that is more powerful than the wattage indicated at the rear of your TV set. This is because TVs create a surge when turned on and this could damage the converter. Remember - always turn your converter to the correct voltage before plugging it in Most electrical appliances made for use in the US, North and South America, the Caribbean and Japan use 110-voltage electricity, while most
Simple Safety rules n
Never touch electrical equipment with wet hands. n
Never touch light switches if they are cracked or show signs of damage. n
Never plug equipment into a socket that looks damaged, cracked or has part or all of the cover missing. n
Never use mains powered electrical appliances in a bathroom. n
Always check that the travel adaptor you are using is the correct type for the country in which you are traveling, and never force it into a socket if it does not easily fit. |
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Why PGs are one-up!
It's your exam tomorrow and the lights go off. And your landlord doesn't have an inverter. You feel a sudden craving for coffee, but it is past the kitchen time. You have recently bought a new bike, but you don't have parking space. You want to chat with your friend on an important topic, but there is no wi-fi connection. The list goes on. Welcome to the world of paying guest (PG) accommodation!
A PG is one place where people from different backgrounds come together, eat together and stay together. It is a place where they learn the true definition of adaptation. But living in somebody else's house, following his or her rules and trying to ignore every little issue…is it easy? "I came to Chandigarh two years ago, but I never wanted to live in a hostel. The reason I opted for a PG is because of the facilities available there. My PG provides me wi-fi system, which is a basic necessity these days," says Raman Dhamija, living in a PG in Sector 15. Facilities are something that makes PGs more popular than hostels. "There is nothing wrong with hostel accommodation. Nevertheless, you will opt for a PG when you know about the facilities they provide. My PG has an Internet connection, parking area, access to the kitchen at all times and an inverter. I would not have given up all this for hostel accommodation," says Tejpal Singh, who stays in Sector 11. But as they say, all that glitters is not gold. Everyone isn't as lucky as Tejpal. For some, PG accommodation hasn't proved a boon. "My cousin insisted that I stay in a PG, but I didn't get what I expected. Apart from food and cleanliness, my PG doesn't offer anything else," sighs Ankita Sharma, who stays in Sector 35. And every landlord is keen on providing the best of facilities. "PG accommodation is not only preferred by students, but also professionals. We have to match up to their standards. My PG has facilities like wi-fi, parking and even air-conditioners," says Balraj Sandhu, who owns a PG in Sector 15. Facilities or at times lack of them, one thing is sure - staying in a PG provides one with a bagful of memories. |
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Spade work
Every live entity has certain inherited traits. Put on the light and the cockroaches start vanishing. The trait to live in darkness is in their genes. Have you ever felt the urge to eat mango in winter? No. Likewise, there are specific colours that one wants to see in a particular season. The colours are also 'warm' 'hot' or 'cold'. Then why not to plan your garden as per the availability of the colour at a particular time of the season?
While planning your garden, you must decide the plants first, as per your choice and need. Then you can consider the seasonal display of blooms. For example, in winter most of the people like to have deep red blooms and that is also the time for roses to bloom. The colour red in roses has its own importance. In fact, those who are into commercial production prefer red roses. In case of red flower bearing plants, there is nothing to beat poinsettia. The plants put forth excellent display of deep red bracts. Both single and double types are used in the garden. The flower in this case is insignificant yellow but the deep red and prominent bracts form a heavy top, especially in case of double poinsettia, the usual variety used being the Fireball. For gardens, where space is not a constraint and where trees can be used, Erythrina is a good choice. Gulmohur also bears bold red flowers but their bearing time is during summer. However, due to the supporting deep green leaves the harshness is subdued. During summer, the colour blue is favourite as it is considered to be 'cool' colour. Like any other hue, the colour blue is also available in all types of plants whether it is shrub, climber or tree. The low-headed shrubs like Menia erecta (sorry, there is no common name), dadaleicanthus etc are very good examples. The blooms have very pleasant neel blue colour. Where there is space problem, one could go in for a climber and there is nothing to beat Patrea volubilis (commonly called Patrea climber). The vine bears star-shaped blue blooms at the outset of summer and remain there during the summer-winter transition phase, i.e. during April. They are very prominent due to the fact that they appear on bare vine when there are no leaves and the vine is free flowering. (This column appears weekly. The author is the senior PAU horticulturist and can be reached at
satishnarula@yahoo.co.in) Myth of the week That the season of 'mooli' is winter is not correct. There are different varieties of radish that when planted accordingly, could provide the roots almost all the year round.
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It is as simple as this — open curtains to select your wife. Options galore. Shalini Sheherwali, ambitious, tech-savvy, career oriented; Bijli Thakur, dominating, bossy, control freak and Milli Chulbulli, talkative, bubbly and funny…and more as you keep opening the curtains.
The feeling of success is yet to sink in. Phone calls from people congratulating the whole day provides some help, but it will take a while before Jasvinder Singh Bath realises that he has made it big in Bollywood. The name of 29-year-old scriptwriter of Yamla, Pagla Deewana is doing the rounds in the industry, "which makes me more nervous than happy. Positive reviews from people in the industry means expectations from me have doubled."
The demand for voltage converters has increased immensely as power fluctuations are a common problem faced by people these days. The variations or bounce in terms of voltage can damage important electronic appliances.