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Road stopper
Being one with the road was what late PG Tenzing, the author of Don't Ask Any Old Bloke for Directions, had to say about driving. We like to extend it a bit further by adding more…it is the excitement, the gratification of controlling a machine that has a mind of its own; the thrill of curve hugging, not taking one's foot off the accelerator, zooming past the slow traffic with eye-balls piercing through the glass, and of course creating a style statement on the road!
Driving possibly does one of these things to you. And if the machine happens to be the Boxster, a two-seater sports roadster from Porsche with stupendous styling, you have umpteen reasons to hit the road! With Porsche officially opening its new showroom in Chandigarh, providing customers across Punjab and Haryana an unparalleled experience through it's state-of-the-art facility, we steal (mind you it is not easy to convince a Porsche owner to talk about the machine) experiences of Porsche owners on what it means to get behind the steering wheel of a deadly machine!
It is untouchable…
On road, you definitely can't beat it. "In style and engineering too," says Daman Dhillon from Ludhiana, who was hit by its mesmersing effect. "I bought a Cayenne D model a month back. I checked out other brands as well, but nothing comes close to Porsche." A royal blue model screeches to a halt at the lights and Daman can't ignore the eyes that scrutinise the man and the machine! "I am trying to get used to people starring at the car and the person driving it. Sometimes, it is slightly awkward to handle this, but can't do much," he shrugs. "Porsche is a wild and all-round excellent machine. It's got style and interiors have a special feel to it," shares Daman. There is no holding back the machine!
Road call
Porsche might not be the perfect car for these roads, given the potholes, but it is definitely a cut above the rest in the high-end luxury car segment. Sukhi Brar, businessman, bought a red-coloured Boxster four months back and is too wary to take it out sometimes. "I am always jittery while driving it because of the roads and insensitive drivers, especially in this region," he mentions. This doesn't stop Sukhi from raving about it. “Climate control, cruise control in long journeys, communication management for satellite navigation and of course Bluetooth compatibility are some of the features that have charmed me," shares Sukhi, who would blatantly turn down his best friends' request to borrow his car!
Fantabulous…
If there are words that can describe the machine, Manish Jain, a businessman and avid traveler, would list numerous. His six-month-old Cayenne is something that is all over his Facebook profile. "I was thinking of buying a high-end car; the day I laid my eyes on Porsche Cayenne. There is nothing comparable to the model. It is definitely worth its price." For Juggal Singh, a farmer-turned-businessman, his son who returned from America insisted on buying Porsche. "I didn't want him to buy an expensive car, but he insisted. And when he showed me the models on I Internet, I was floored. Nothing like a Porsche; pick any model and they are simply fantabulous," he shares. jasmine@tribunemail.com
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Dressed to win
What camp you belong to ought to be worn on your sleeves. Well literally! Though girls rather go a little chic by sporting the party affiliations on their sling bags or hemlines…we even spotted a couple of them on umbrellas. While for those campaigning around, it’s a to and fro switch between casuals and formals. More than an exercise of secret ballot, student elections are a colourful mish-mash of party stickers, style statements, logos, captions, and fashion invariably cuts into the scheme of things.
As Panjab University goes to polls today, how much will the charm and charisma of the presidential candidates work? Does a flawless sense of dressing count? Looks like the varsity premises have their own set of faux pas. The ‘anything works in college’ rule doesn’t apply anymore. Shares Parul Nirola, economics honours student, “For freshers, looks do matter. Since the first-timers have heard negative stories about all parties and candidates, they either go back home or vote on the basis of looks.” As for her, the girl is going to get down to ground zero. “This time I actually know one of the guys standing for presidential elections, so my choice is obviously going to be affected by someone who’s been helpful and has done his groundwork.” When there’s nothing working in favour of or against a candidate, the looks quotient comes in handy. Laughs Rajat Bhardwaj, law student, “Girls generally look at looks! Boys would rather go for hardworking and sincere aspirants.” Meanwhile, what the candidates endeavour for is the magnetism, the extra pull that might fetch them some extra votes. Shares Amit Bhatia, former president, Panjab University Campus Students Council, “Generally, there is a marked difference once any student decides to stand for elections. Of course, you can’t behave and dress up like a normal student. Even the posters around you wouldn’t let you do that. You have to shake hands with everyone, be cordial, approachable.” As for the attire, there’s a definite and perceptible change. He recalls, “I distinctly remember when I filed my nomination papers; I was dressed in casuals. Of course, I later switched to formals. Everybody else prefers formals. Kurtas pyjamas are a trend during elections but you’d never find presidential candidates wearing them, as they have to be very careful of what they wear.” There’s an onus to pass on the right message; what you wear, in part, stands for how you’ll be perceived! Shares Anil Dhull, general secretary, INSO, “There are no fixed rules of dressing but you should be taken seriously by others. And yes, there is a trend of kurta pyjamas during elections but I’m yet to sport it this time.” Are the reasons for the fad is pretty obvious? He adds, “It’s a big time style statement of politics. You’d find half of our young and not-so-young leaders set this trend.” Needless to say, half the campus or at least half the campaigners are dressed in starch white, just to leave that lasting impression. Does it make a difference? “Yes, it does. I’d never go and vote for someone who doesn’t have a personal connect. When everyone is equally bad or equally good, looks and charisma take over,” shares Shruti Bindra, B Com student, PU. She adds, “No one expects a well-dressed mannequin to stand up for elections, but it sure has to be someone who’ll be around all year round and it has to be someone whom you’d like to look at all-year round.” She winks. We get the point! manpriya@tribunemail.com
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Generation brand! CK, Levi's, Versace, Fast Track, Jacks & Jones, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, Polo, Puma, Lee, Nike - brands are increasingly ruling the minds of youngsters in Ludhiana. "I just fit into a pair of Levi's perfectly," smiles Urja Aurora, an engineering student, who adds that she wears jeans most of the time. "If it's not Levi's, then it has to be Pepe," she exults. Quality of the products makes a lot of difference though. "You can tell just by looking at the dress of a person whether he's wearing branded clothes or not. It's not about labels, it is the quality and small details that make brands stand out," says Kanwaljeet Malhotra, a young businessman. Sanjana Bansal, who often frequents MBD Neopolis Mall, thinks that that fashion craze amid the city youngsters is on the rise because of the arrival of international brands to the city malls. "Earlier there weren't many exclusive brand stores in the city markets. Mostly there were multi-brand stores, but now almost all the brands have exclusive stores," she says. For Lalit Thapar, anything with the Puma logo is worth buying, "I love Puma. Apart from the quality of the products, it's the energy of the logo, the leaping puma, which is what I really like," he says. There are similar sentiments amid other youngsters. "I like the stand-out-from-the-crowd attitude of Emerge," says Vikramjeet, an MBA student, who visits the brand store at MBD Mall once a month. "What we think, we become" punch line is what I believe in." "Fast Track is focusing on things that the youth identifies with. Their brand tagline "move on" is in sync with the thinking of the youngsters today. When they offered a discount, the headline of the advertisement was "f.....ck!" which was a clever use of their name, Fast Track," says Sanjay Kumar, city-based brand consultant.
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Chatter box
RUBINA DILAIK
My grandma used to tell me a story about Lord Ganesha where Shiva had chopped off his head. Parvati was in tears after seeing this, Shiva gave him an elephant's head. That is how he came to be known as Gajanana. Which has been your best memory of the festival? In Himachal Pradesh, we do not celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi. There we do Mata Ka Jagran. It depends from culture to culture so I don't have many memories of the festival. Which is the best pandal you have ever visited on Ganpati? Not pandals but I have visited two or three friend's houses and all of them had decorated their Ganpatis beautifully. What is your most favourite part of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi? The visarjan is my favourite as the whole city comes together to celebrate and dance on the streets. Everyone has so much fun. ASHITA DHAWAN
I don't know too many mythological stories but I know the one where his head was chopped off by Shivji and from that time it was said that people should take Lord Ganesha's name before staring any work, otherwise that work will not get completed. Which has been your best memory of the festival? My husband Shailesh gets so excited about the festival that he starts counting the days one month before Ganesha's arrival. So every year is filled with excitement. Best pandal you ever visited on Ganpati? I visit Lalbaughcha Raja every year and even though it is crowded I feel that Lord Ganesh is smiling at me and listening to what I have to say. Every year I request news channels to take me to Lalbaughcha Raja because now it has become very crowded and it is difficult to get an entry. What is your most favourite part of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi? Bringing Ganpati home is my favourite part because it is as if a guest has come home. We take care of his food and clothes just like any other family member. MANISH GOEL
I only remember one story where Parvati was taking a bath and the child who she created out of sandalwood was asked to keep an eye. When Shiva came, the child did not allow him to enter. Shiva got angry and cut his head off. Parvati was distraught seeing this and asked Shiva to revive him. Shiva then cut off an elephant's head and fixed it on the child who was then called Ganpati. Which has been your best memory of the festival? The best memory is the first time I kept Ganpati at home during the time we were contesting for Nach Baliye. Best pandal you ever visited on Ganpati? Lalbaug ka raja I visit it almost every year and for me it is the best. What is your most favourite part of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi? When we bring Ganpati home and I am always in tears when we have to bid him goodbye. ADDITI GUPTA
I don't remember any story on Ganesh Chaturthi but I remember my personal story on this festival. Right from childhood I have been fond of two festivals Ganpati and Navratri. I remember when I was studying at a school in Dhamtari near Raipur, our neighbours were a Gujrati family and they used to keep Ganpati at home. As a kid, I used to visit their house and other houses too. We had a huge Ganpati in our colony too. All kids used to dance on lezims and attend aartis which used to be great fun. Which has been your best memory of the festival? The childhood memory that I just mentioned and I also recall with fondness when last year I went to my friend's house for Ganpati -Angad Hasija and Giriraj Kabra. I really love Ganesha's aarti. Best pandal you ever visited on Ganpati? It was the one in our colony in Dhamtari as the Ganpati used to be huge and we used to feel very religious in that pandal. What is your most favourite part of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi? The whole atmosphere gets so emotional when we get our Ganeshji home, kids dancing on dhol tasha, preparing various kinds of sweets. ANKITA LOKDHANDE
What's the one story about Lord Ganesha that comes to your mind? There are many stories about Ganpati Bappa, but the most popular one is how he got the elephant head and thus he is called Gajamukhi Ganesh. And the first day of Ganpati is his birthday. Which has been your best memory of the festival? Back in my home town, we used to have Ganpati in our colony and there would be many dance competitions, plays and games. I guess I developed my passion for dancing from then onwards. Which is the best pandal you have ever visited on Ganpati? I find the best pandal ever is back in Indore in my colony, whereas in Mumbai, I find the pandal which we make for our show Pavitra Rishta-the best. I really like the idol of Ganpati we have for the special episodes of our show. What is your most favourite part of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi? I like the whole excitement and various decorations and idols, different aartis of Ganpati and of course, the food comprising of sweets like modak, karanjis (gujjiya), puran poli etc. ASHIESH ROY
The story where Ganpati had a competition with Karthik about who will take three rounds of the earth faster and Ganpati won by taking three rounds of
Shiv-Parvati. Which has been your best memory of the festival? My then-girlfriend had just come to visit me from Delhi, and I took her for the maha visarjan at Versova beach. The pictures I clicked of her that day are the best memories I have of the festival. Best pandal you ever visited on
Ganpati? Without doubt the Lalbaug pandal. What is your most favourite part of celebrating Ganesh
Chaturthi? That friends and foes alike visit my house and bless my home.
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Traditional treat Kashmiri hospitality for Rahman and Imtiaz!
Since parts of the film have been shot in Kashmir, the duo visited the valley for some special sound work. Incidentally, one of the line producers from Kashmir is a distant relative of Imtiaz Ali and invited the director, along with Rahman to his place. There, they were treated to some authentic Kashmiri delicacies like vaazwan cooked by the lady of the house. Obviously, they had a great time gorging on the traditional, home-cooked Kashmiri dishes and couldn't thank the lady enough for her generous treat! What followed was a tradition of sorts where almost every day the delicious Kashmiri vaazwan was brought on the sets and the entire unit would relish on it. In fact, on the last day of their schedule the team called for a huge feast with all the yummy delicacies and everyone present on the sets, including Ranbir and Nargis, enjoyed all the scrumptious food. — HRM
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Living a dream...
The 45-year-old charmer talked uninhibited about his success story, and narrated how he gives 'thorns to competition' at a recent event. SRK shared his experience with his first producer, who was keen to know why the ‘thin and dark’ young man with ‘hair like a bear’, wanted to join filmdom. "I told him - I want to make people smile because it makes me happy.' He said - “This is very ideological. Genuinely, tell me why do you want to be a movie star?” "I told him my ideology, which is my ideology even now... I told him that my parents have died. So I want to make movies so damn bloody big... that my parents somewhere sit down on a star and from there also can look at their son and say 'I can see his movies from here better than I can see the Wall of China or anything. We see his movies covering the face of this earth'," added Shah Rukh, explaining the importance of setting the right targets in life. "That is my target. It may seem a bit too much of self-importance, but I don't think anyone can compete with me because they don't have a target like that... I have a genuine emotional target. So, you've got to know your target," he added to a thunderous applause. King Khan as he is lovingly called, said, "I want to die giving the last shot of my film." — IANS
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Neil Nitin Mukesh seems to think he is great actor as he goes on advising everyone on acting, choreographing and singing. Recently we heard Neil advised Sonam Kapoor, on the sets of Players regarding her moves. In reply, she asked him to mind his own business.
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Going abroad
John Abraham and Akshay Kumar starrer Desi Boyz is going places, literally. This film that is being extensively shot in the UK has also had the good fortune of being shot in locations where international blockbusters like Harry Potter and X-Men were shot.
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Reese sets eyes on Pitt's paradise
Pitt bought the California house in 2005 and placed it on the market earlier this year for $ 13.75 million. The four bedroom house is set into a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean and consists two separate houses, a pool, a tennis court and expansive lush gardens. The 4,100 square foot property also has private beach access and is connected to the Pacific Coast Highway by a long private driveway. Pitt and partner Angelina Jolie are currently renting a home in Richmond with their brood while Brad films his latest movie World War Z. The couple has their main home base in the East Hollywood Hills. — PTI
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Small things count
The actress, 48, says she goes 'giddy' with joy when her 33-year-old spouse leaves her a note professing his feelings for her at their house or tells her how much she means to him.
"I get giddy when Ashton shows me another way of saying 'I love you' - any little thought or gesture that's playful or sweet. We leave Post-it notes for each other; some have been sticking up for five or six years! For me, it's the small things," Moore said.
The 'Ghost' star has just finished directing a short film for a project 'Five' which deal with women who have battled breast cancer. Actress Jennifer Aniston and singer Alicia Keys have also directed a film each for the same project. — PTI
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The year ahead
If your birthday is September 2...
Number two is the mediator and peace lover. It indicates the desire for harmony. It has a gentle, considerate and sensitive vibration. Ruled by the Moon, you will be diplomatic, warm, peaceful and sensitive. If expressed negatively, too dependent, manipulative and
passive-aggressive.You are probably feeling more confident in your abilities today. Others are drawn to you because of your positive attitude and willingness to take steps to further your personal goals.
Career: You're very productive at work, and will even be able to handle a few additional duties. Don't think your efforts are going unnoticed.
Education: Now is the time to remember the lessons from the past and to do what you can to avoid repeating those mistakes. In life there are a lot of potholes on your journey, but you should always try to avoid the same potholes the second time around.
Friendship: Friends provide the entertainment aspect as they appear to extend invitations and requests for you to lighten up. Join in where it is feasible, practical and time friendly but draw the line if it dips into your budget.
Health: Minor disputes may snowball into a major argument. Try to avert this possibility. Housewives may suffer from stomach pain. If you feel uncomfortable in your physical well being, do not ignore the symptoms but take medical advice even though it may turn out to be minor infection. Love: If you are looking for a partner it might be best to get someone who can fit in with your busy lifestyle. You need someone who can stand on their own and who can keep themselves busy. State of mind: Energetic and Powerful. Compatible signs: Scorpio, Virgo. Lucky
colours: Turquoise and Aqua. Lucky days: Your lucky days will be Tuesday and Thursday. Lucky numbers: 6, 9, 12, 43, 44.Lucky flower: Poppy. Lucky gemstone - Pearl.
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Astro turf
ARIES: Friction at work can slow down production and frazzle everyone's nerves. Try to stay balanced and remember that silence is golden. You will have more time to see to the needs of others. Tarot message: Balance in all aspects is recommended. Lucky colour: Lotus pink. Magic number: 25.
TAURUS: Feeling of love and strong impulses come together in an exciting but frivolous mix. It will be an easy day. It would be pointless to attempt to force the pace. Social gatherings may be rather dull. Change is possible. Tarot message: Play your cards close to your chest. Lucky colour: Orange. Magic number: 40.
GEMINI: You are unlikely to get far if you are trying to put new plans into operation. Putting energy into your domestic life can give you the lift you need. Some of you can be worried about finances. Tarot message: Take no chances despite the assurance of people. Lucky colour: Golden. Magic number: 61.
CANCER: Sacrifices today can put you in a far better place in the future. Bring a breath of fresh air into your life by rearranging your environment. Married people will find their spouse difficult. Tarot message: You need to be creative if you want to retain your grip over your business. Lucky colour: Chocolate brown. Magic number: 24.
LEO: Make an early start today. Make every effort to further your ambitions. You should be able to ensure that your reputation spreads far and wide. Your loved one will shower you with gifts. Tarot message: A positive attitude heals old wounds. Lucky colour: Citric blue. Magic number: 33.
VIRGO: You can find it too easy to get bogged down in the daily grind and caught up in your natural ambition to get ahead. Problems of others may have to be attended too. Tarot message: Remember the old saying, "Penny saved is penny earned". Lucky colour: Lush green. Magic number: 62.
LIBRA: The advice of elders, professionals and people with greater experience than yours can make the difference. Using your imagination is effective to create an outcome you want. Tarot message: Plan your life to avoid the inbuilt delays that come your way. Lucky colour: Pale yellow. Magic number: 59.
SCORPIO: Excitement and happiness will be on the cards. An increasing income means more luxuries of life to enjoy. Socialising and attending gala events can be costly. Just as well this is an easy going day. You will have much energy. Tarot message: Strive for perfection at work. Lucky colour: Blood red. Magic number: 63.
SAGITTARIUS: Someone you meet today may give you a useful business tip. It's the best time to stay at home. A caring heart may be needed to resolve any family tension. Tarot message: Be sure of involving yourself as much as possible in a new project. Lucky colour: Golden yellow. Magic number: 57.
CAPRICORN: A real buzz in the air evokes fresh possibilities yet even the longest journeys start with the first steps. Today should see many of the policies that you have been following bearing fruits. Tarot message: Do not leave things up to chance. Lucky colour: Cream. Magic number: 50.
AQUARIUS: Finance and income are in the spotlight. Matters involving spending, saving and borrowing are all worth examining. Look for a higher pay. Health is fine. Discuss the detail plans with loved ones. Tarot Message: Don't be too certain about obtaining a clearance. Lucky colour: Sea green. Magic number: 41.
PISCES: You will be feeling more secure. Your interest in overseas affairs is likely to stimulate. Enjoy and ride your luck in the evening. Seniors are in a cheerful mood. Make a plan and stick to it. Tarot message: Rivalry and competition would push you to do your best. Lucky colour: Beige. Magic number: 52.
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What's the one story about Lord Ganesha that comes to your mind?
What's the one story about Lord Ganesha that comes to your mind?
What's the one story about Ganesh Chaturthi that comes to your mind?
What's the one story about Ganesh Chaturthi that comes to your mind?
What's the one story about Lord Ganesha that comes to your mind?
Music maestro AR Rahman and director Imtiaz Ali were treated to some sumptuous Kashmiri cuisine during their recent visit to the region while working on their upcoming film Rockstar produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision.
He isn't the Bollywood Badshah for nothing! Superstar Shah Rukh Khan not just believes he is the best, he is confident that no one can compete with him because others "don't run the same race" as him.
Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon wants to upgrade from the $ 7 million Los Angeles estate and has set her eyes on Brad Pitt's Malibu mansion. The 35-year-old actress and her Hollywood agent husband Jim Toth visited five houses on Sunday but the couple were spotted spending more time in front of Pitt's $ 14 million house.
Hollywood actress Demi Moore says she loves it when husband Ashton Kutcher is romantic because it's the "small things" that count in a relationship.
Udita Goswami (September 2, 1984 ,Dehra Dun) who shares your birth date, appeared in Paap directed by Pooja
Bhatt. Her next film Zeher, which also starred Emraan Hashmi and Shamita Shetty, was her breakthrough role and she became a well known face in the industry. She also acted in
Aksar, opposite Dino Morea and Emraan Hashmi. She was featured with Upen Patel in Ahmed Khan's music video of the remix of Kya Khoob Lagti Ho. Udita has a combination of Moon and Venus in her horoscope which makes her volatile and this will launch her in cinema like any other heroines.