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Love conquers all…
even hatred
A few minutes with Parineeti Chopra, in her floral-printed single-piece dress with a thin belt and pump heels, and you know that her zest for life is at its peak. A few minutes with Arjun Kapoor, in a white shirt and jeans, and you know the guy will take his own sweet time to open up. We catch up with the duo at KC Royal Park, Panchkula, where they were on Monday to promote their upcoming movie Ishaqzaade, which is set for a May 11 release.
Parineeti, who hails from Ambala and has done majors in marketing and PR, moved to Bollywood instead. “I always wanted to become a banker and went to Manchester Business School to study finance as well as economics. Later, I came to Mumbai and joined Yash Raj Films as a marketing and PR consultant. It was during the promotion of Band Baaja Baraat that I thought of giving acting a try.” And Parineeti landed up with the role of Dimple Chadda in Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl. Parineeti knows the city well and has fond memories. “My maternal grandparents are from Panchkula and my aunt is from Chandigarh, so I was a regular visitor here. I really used to relish the softies of Sector-17,” says Parineeti. Coming back to the movie; how is the character of Zoya in Ishaqzaade? “Zoya is very energetic and has a focus in life, she knows what to do.” All this while, Arjun is busy staring at Parineeti as she jabbers away to glory. We wonder about their on screen chemistry. “Zoya and Parma hate each other; they slap, they abuse but one fine day realise that they are quite similar and that’s why they fall in love,” chips in Arjun. Having assisted in direction and production during his early years, Arjun feels the journey has been long. “I always wanted to act like my uncle Anil Kapoor; it is always good to learn about minute details of acting and movie-making,” says Arjun. “People should know that nobody offers you movies as a beginner and definitely not under YRF banner, so you have to show that you are ready to give auditions,” adds Arjun. His first and foremost priority was to lose weight and we all know that Salman Khan helped him through this. “The main thing was to have enough patience and doing things the right way. Salman bhai somewhere had a strong belief that I can become a good actor. And there I was, all charged up, from being overweight (140 kgs) to losing 55 kilos in a span of four years,” says Arjun. Arjun agrees to the fact that the beauty of being a fit person is that you start loving yourself. Coming back to Arjun’s role, he says that Parma is an animal and likes to fool around but in reality thinks a lot. “Habib Faisal (director) has done an amazing job with the designing of the posters where it is quite evident that Zoya and Parma know that whatever they do is the right thing,” says Arjun. Last but not the least, Arjun being Sonam Kapoor’s cousin and Parineeti being Priyanka Chopra’s cousin feel that they have their own identities and it is only work that will speak for them. What the future holds for them they don’t know as they are under a contract with YRF films, but they surely suggest that one should grab opportunities as they come your way! sabiatalwar@tribunemail.com
Lose it the right way * After Kareena Kapoor’s size zero, Arjun Kapoor has hit the headlines for cutting down his flab. Here’s how he went about it... *
Have a lot of patience and don’t go for crash diets. * Eat sensibly; have brown bread, brown rice and keep away from sweets. *
Eat properly and work-out is a must.
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Educated advice
In Chandigarh on Monday, for the announcement of the launch of Kinderpillar Ivy League Kids, Ellen is happy to be the curriculum expert, "I would have gone to any part of the world if I could help a child; coming to India is a bonus." Today a sought-after education consultant, she has interestingly put up a long battle with reading that paved the way for her career in the field. "I have sat in the class making mistakes and feeling terrible about it," says Ellen and what she wants is a stress-free environment to develop the love for learning. Proudly wearing the badge '2000 days Ask Me', Ellen delves into the theory she puts into practice. "The first 2,000 days of a child are most important. Every child is born with zillions of brain cells. If one doesn't activate these cells within the first 2,000 days of life, they start dying and disappearing." And, how to activate them is what Ellen writes on. "The focus should be on learning, not testing. Even a three-year-old may shrug his shoulders if you ask a 'yes or no' question. By that time, they know that there is a possibility of going wrong by 50 per cent," says Ellen, who encourages open-ended questions to stimulate thinking and reasoning. Coming from a teachers' family (her parents and grandparents have been into teaching), Ellen works with various channels to select and guide age-appropriate materials. She is also the writer of the famous The Book of Pooh. She believes in taking every child individually. "I am not here to cookie cut American system. But essentially, Indian values from Yoga to family structure, are going to be part of it." She offers a programme full of fun, songs, independent thinking, questioning as also balancing technology and physical activity for today's 'apple generation'. She is next working with Jimmy Buffett, singer-songwriter and working to develop activities that address 'bullying' in the
classroom. mona@tribunemail.com
Karmic connection
On Monday, Ellen Booth Church opened the conversation with a namaste and rounded up with a Tibetan Bhuddhist chant. As a child, when troubled, she would hold an artefact that her Uncle-Aunt, a journalist couple brought from Asia, close to her heart and hum. Later, when she went to meet Tsultrim Allione, (the author of the book she loved — Women of Wisdom) at her retreat, she saw the very object that was put to use in the very same way that she had already done. "I knew immediately; I had come home," says Ellen, a practicing Buddhist for the last 25 years. "Teaching Buddha and his times did not feel great, but by experiencing India first-hand, I am living my dream now."
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In love with Tellywood
Kolkata-born Miss India Earth 2002 Reshmi Ghosh is not a new face on small screen. The sultry-sexy siren is one upbeat lady full of cheer and positive energy, something that comes across in her full-throated laughter. With her talent, perseverance and hard work, she has made a name for herself in the world of small screen. Reshmi, who is currently part of Sahara one Television’s saas-bahu drama Piya Ka Ghar Pyara Lage, speaks about her role in the serial, her love for acting and lots more…
What is the show all about? It was earlier a comedy show titled Hai Padosi but later on it was rechristened into a saas-bahu melodrama Piya Ka Ghar Pyara Lage. With the daily soap tradition, it has high voltage drama with twists and turns. How does it feel to play Urmila in the serial? I am super excited and I think it is really an honour to be chosen for this role. The production house was trying to rope me for quite some time. Despite my busy shooting schedules, I accepted the role. How is the working experience? Oh! It is good. I am getting an opportunity to work with Sanjeeda Sheikh, Muni Jha
and Giriraj Kabra. All the others in the show are also fantastic to work with. Tell us about your background in the field of acting. Since being crowned Miss India Earth 2002, I have appeared in several Bollywood films as well as serials and advertisements. I debuted on small screen with Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. After that I did shows like Kahe Na Kahe, Karam Apna Apna, Kayamath, Tera Liye, Mata Ki Chowki, Shobha Somnath Ki and Baba Aisa Varr Dhoondo. What do you think about Tellywood? I think television industry is lovely. Once you are into it you can never leave it. It is fascinating and amazing. What have you learnt by playing Urmila? I have learnt a lot as I love acting. I think after this role I will be remembered as a multi-talented actor. What makes a person beautiful for you? It is their heart and soul that shine beyond the physical beauty for me. It is the inside that means I more than the outside. — Dharam Pal
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Kiss and tell
Bella Heathcote, who has been the target of Hollywood’s rumour mill for having an alleged affair with Brad Pitt, has admitted kissing Johnny Depp but said she never slept with Angelina Jolie’s fiance. In two short years since moving to Hollywood, Heathcote has already starred as the love interest of Johnny Depp in the upcoming blockbuster, Dark Shadows.
Recalling her kissing scene with Johnny Depp, she said “it was surreal”. “It was surreal. It’s weird enough kissing anyone on set with 50 people standing around,” she said. “The day before the kiss he came up to me and said, ‘How do you feel about it? It’s kind of weird, isn’t it?’ I agreed and we exchanged horror stories about on set kisses. “So by doing that, he put us in the same boat, which was nice. Given who he is, he’s learned how to make people feel comfortable around him,” she said.‘Dark Shadows, directed by Tim Burton, is based on the 1966 TV series of the same name. A gothic soap opera about a vampire, Barnabas Collins, from the year 1750, who emerges 200 years later to a changed and modern world of 1972. Starring alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, and Eva Green, Heathcote plays dual roles – an ingenue whose love for Collins crosses two centuries. Killing Them Softly, one of her other upcoming films, stars Brad Pitt. “Yes, apparently I had an affair with him when we did the job that we never did together. I hadn’t even met him so it was all pretty strange.” “I don’t know if you ever get used to that kind of thing. I remember my friends at home contacting me and sending me clippings from magazines saying, ‘I can’t believe you never told me.’ And I was like, ‘I haven’t even met him. I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ That was surreal,” she added. —ANI
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I love getting older: Diaz
Hollywood beauty Cameron Diaz, who will turn 40 in August, says she is excited about her reaching the four-decade milestone.
The Charlie’s Angels star said she loves getting older and while the thought of turning 40 sends many women into an emotional tailspin, she is looking forward to it.
“I love getting older. I think it’s such a blessing. Look, the alternative to getting older is being dead, so I feel very fortunate to have a very full, loving, blessed life, so, I’m living it to the fullest,” Diaz said. The actress also said she is savouring the mental and spiritual growth that occurs naturally with added life experience. “As I get older, I become happier — because I’m wiser, I know myself better and I connect to people better. I think that in our society we don’t honour older generations enough because we think of it as being bad because the appearance changes. “I say, embrace it. I love
getting older, I love everything that comes with it — I’m better in every way because of it,”
she said. —PTI
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Coping up with fame
Freida Pinto, who is determined to show the world she’s no one-hit wonder, has admitted that instant stardom has taken some getting used to. The 27-year-old Indian-born beauty was trying to make ends meet, working as a model in her native Mumbai, when British director Danny Boyle plucked her from relative obscurity to star in his 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire.
The fact she beat off hundreds of other actors in an extensive six-month global audition process would be amazing enough. But the fairytale didn’t end there. That little film of Boyle’s struck a chord with audiences worldwide and went all the way to the Oscars where, in 2009, it scooped eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Suddenly, Pinto was a Hollywood star. “It took a while to accept what had happened,” she said. “As much as I was happy with what was going on, it was almost too much to take in for somebody who’d never experienced any of that before. “Surrounding myself with good people such as family and close friends helped me keep my head on my shoulders. “That said, the one thing I knew was I had to seize the moment and strike while the iron was hot,” she added. Fame wasn’t the only thing Pinto gained from Slumdog Millionaire, she also bagged herself a boyfriend Dev Patel. —ANI
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When words met the magician...
A poet’s strength lies in his universality. As one surfs through Dinesh Raghuvanshi’s poetry, the lines... Rishte kai baar bedi ban jate hain, Prashanchinh ban raston main tan jate hain Aisa nahi kisi se koi anban hai Kuch din sirf akele chalne ka man hai... somehow, somewhere strike a cord. The noted poet was in Chandigarh on the invite of Chandigarh Sahitya Akademy recently. Born in a small UP village in very trying circumstances, Dinesh had a choice to follow an ordinary path or make life extraordinary. Consider it a child’s resolve to make his mother proud, today, amongst the most popular poets in the country, he has fulfilled his resolve. Is Hindi poetry doing well? "Please do not take it otherwise, but people can’t sit through a three-hour-flick that is made by spending crores. On the contrary, for my poetry sessions there is gathering of up to 50,000 at times," he says. If one leaves metros, small towns and villages value Hindi as much as the poetry and Dinesh’s popularity is one proof. This widely travelled poet has held shows not only throughout the length and breadth of the country, but also abroad in Europe, USA and Africa. His canvas is life, where he talks of love, relationships and struggle. Twenty-five years in the field, it is midway that he changed tracks — from pessimistic to optimistic notes. Technology makes him reach people who can’t attend his face-to-face sessions. It is here that he sees hope, "Availability of modern means of communication have ignited a hunger to learn. This will pave the way for those who have left reading or writing poetry," says Dinesh. Survival is not easy for writers in today’s commercial world, an M Com and MBA (wherein comes the selling streak from) Dinesh earns his living by managing the stage for international conferences as well as rallies and is an insurance consultant as well. However, he is not ready to compromise his art for material gains. A brief mention of ‘Ooh la la’ and he shakes his head in a vehement ‘no’. "Dual wording is not my cup of tea. I don’t think I have it me to write for movies. Though I have written songs for a few movies, when do they get released is another matter," he clarifies. Motherhood is a theme close to his heart. Having already written 1,000 plus poems on it, he touches his ears as mark of respect, before he avers, "Give me an incident with your mother and I will write a poem on her in a matter of seconds." And, it’s no regular poems but those that touch the heart, "Jinke hisse apni ma ki loriyan nahin aati, unke sapnon main bhi pariyan, titliyan nahi aati." Pain, he says, has shaped up much of his writing. "Every man is a poet in his or her own right, but if a few can understand a common man’s idea, a poet’s message touches the large sea of humanity." The Chandigarh visit got him another literary honour from Haryana and he aspires to touch many more lives with his works. "A poet’s success lies in inspiring, giving hope to the readers." And he signs off with`85 Kadam kadam par shart lage jis rishte main, Vo rishta bhi ek bandhan hai Aisa nahi kisi se koi anban hai Kuch din sirf akele chalne ka maan hai" mona@tribunemail.com
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No Love for social network
Singer Courtney Love has asked advisors to help her with social networking after a number of online disasters.
The 47-year-old Hole star, who was embroiled in a lawsuit over her Twitter page last year, says she is not a social network genius and has been relying on others for help with her online identity.
“I am not a social network genius, as evidenced by being the first and only person ever to have a Twitter lawsuit. At the time that lawsuit happened, I didn’t even really fully get what Twitter was for or how it worked,” said Love. “I know this investor guy who is very serious about Twitter and he lectures me like, ‘Oh no, you should only tweet on certain days at certain times, and you should only have a certain amount of people who can follow you’... What? There are so many rules. I have a girl who helps me with it. I cannot do that by myself,”
she added. — PTI
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Richie-rich aspiration
The photoshoot also show the 30-year-old daughter of singer Lionel Richie donning a bikini with her hair teased into a big back combed style. “I have naturally curly hair. I like to braid my hair at night and then let it out the next day. And I also curl my hair with a flat iron. I actually think I’m the best hairstylist on the planet. “I am very serious. I am mixed, and it takes a lot do my hair, so I learned how to do it well myself. I would be a hairstylist. I actually like to go to the salon and blow out people’s hair,” she said. —PTI
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All for a meaty role
Emraan Hashmi, who will be seen as a porn filmmaker in Dibakar Banerjee’s upcoming political thriller Shanghai, said he had gained nine to 10 kg for the role.
This film is all set to release June 8.
Hashmi said he plays the role of a porn filmmaker called Joginder Parmar. “I play the role of Joginder Parmar. He is a very rooted and real character. He is extremely interesting and you would all love him. It is very different from what I played in Kalyug,” he said at the music launch. Hashmi’s look is very different in the movie. “There were a lot of look tests after the character sketch was given. Eventually this one emerged. I had to put on weight for this character. I had to go two shades darker. In the morning, we used to prepare for this, before the shoot.” “I had to even work on my teeth and put things on it to get the look. I don’t know how many actors would want to look grotesque on screen. When Dibankar told me, he thought I would say no, but I didn’t. I think it’s a great opportunity,” he added. “I gained 9-10 kilos. I had to start changing my diet and eat only fast food and pasta on the set.” The cast includes Abhay Deol, Kalki Koechlin and Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee. Talking about the film, Hashmi said, “It’s a very normal film. It’s relevant and the story is very interesting. I am sure this film will be a landmark film for us. We have maintained a commercial outlook with the music of this film.” After back-to-back hits like Jannat 2 and Murder 2, Hashmi seems to be one of the biggest stars of Bollywood today. Asked whom he wants to dedicate this success to, he said, “I have always said that when a film does well, it’s because of the team. The entire team contributes to it. It is a synergy of talent. Even if Shanghai works, it’s a team effort. A lot of work goes into a film and it’s a lot of departments who work together.” We look forward to some real acting from the serial kisser. —IANS
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Want to challenge myself as an actor: Madhuri Dixit
Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit, who will be seen next in Dedh Ishqiya and Gulab Gang, says with different genres of films she wants to challenge her acting prowess.
“Am trying to explore new roles and do different types of films. Want to challenge myself as an actor! Having fun. I think you will be thrilled with the roles. They are powerful, moving and will leave an impression! More films to come.....,” Dixit posted on Twitter.
The 44-year-old mother-of-two relocated to India in October last year after 12 years with her family. She made her acting comeback with the 2007 film Aaja Nachle and also appeared in television reality show Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa. —PTI right spirit:
Madhuri Dixit
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Blunt talk
Actress Emily Blunt loves cooking but says it is a struggle to clean up afterwards because she is a messy person.
The 29-year-old actress, who is married to actor John Krasinski, relaxes away from work by cooking but she finds it impossible to indulge in her hobby without making a mess. “I love to cook - I’m a real foodie. The problem is that I’m also quite untidy, so when I do cook, it looks like a bomb has gone off in the kitchen. I’m trying to get better at being tidy and organised, but it is something I struggle with,” Blunt said. The Young Victoria star is now based in Los Angeles, and though she returns to the UK a lot, she said that she misses British pubs. “There are parts that I miss, like afternoons in the pub, the irreverent sense of humour, and I do have a group of British friends in LA that I sort of cling to. But, like most actors, I’m used to a rather nomadic existence. And I still work in England an awful lot and my family is there, so I end up going back to visit a great deal,” she added.— PTI
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Getting rid of memories
Barely six months after she threw a house warming party for her palatial abode in Prabhadevi luxury highrise, Deepika Padukone now wants to sell it off. Reportedly, the 26-year-old actress bought this apartment during the time she was dating Siddhartha Mallya. And now when the duo has broken-up, the leggy lass is not comfortable harbouring memories of both of them together in this house.
“Deepika is not too keen on staying in this spacious apartment. In fact, a couple of real estate professionals are wooing prospective buyers saying the house has been done up as per the actress’ wish ,” a source was quoted as saying. —ANI
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Ketchup with Sienna
“I once used henna to dye my hair brown for an audition. Little did I know it was the worst thing I could’ve done as it coats the follicles so nothing else can penetrate and I ended up having to put ketchup on it for about a year to get rid of the green tinge,” said Miller. Due to the constant experimenting with her hair, Miller said it needs a careful regimen to look after it. “Because I have to mess with my hair so much for work it gets pretty dry and I’m constantly looking for products to put back the moisture,” she added. Miller is expecting her first child soon with fiance Tom Sturridge. —PTI
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Par Excellence
Once you have attained reasonable success with the grip and hitting a ball of the tee it is time to move on to the next step – the set up. The pre-swing principles are the grip and the set up or the address position. The address position has four parts – stance (width), ball position, alignment and the posture.
Beginners have no problem with the first three. They get the width of stance quite easily as it is natural to stand in any sport with your feet shoulder width apart for balance. The ball could be positioned roughly in the centre with a middle iron or ideally a little forward of centre. Beginners align well as wrong alignment is generally a corrective reaction when the ball is not going straight. The posture is what a lot of players get wrong. The correct posture has two angles – a bend from the hips and a bend from the knees. Apart from these there is a tilt of the spine away from the target. Hold a club behind your back and see how far the butt of the club is from the back of your head (picture 1). Bend forward from the hip maintaining this distance between the shaft and your head. This can only be done if you bend from only the hips and not from your upper back (picture 2). This would give you a feelof bending from the hip. Grip a club and hold it waist high (picture 3). Now, press the ground with your feet exerting pressure on the ground. To do this we bend a little from the knees or flex the knees. If you bend extra from the knees we lose the ‘grounded’ or pressing feeling. The next step is to tilt forward from the hips only that much as to bring the club to sit on it’s sole on the ground (picture 4). When we drop our arms and tilt forward the left arm (for right handed golfers) bends and the right gets extended because the right hand is placed lower than the left while taking the grip. To compensate for this we have to raise the left shoulder by tilting our spine away from the target (picture 5). In a good address position the left arm is extended and
reasonable straight while the right is slightly bent at the elbow. The left shoulder is higher than the right (picture 6). (Grewal has coached several national champions and professionals apart from being coach of the Indian golf team for the Eisenhower Cup
(World Cup) in 2008. He is currently the Director of National Golf Academy of India and CGA Hero Honda Golf Academy. If you have any queries get in touch with him at parexcellence@tribunemail.com)
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Just kebabs
A recce of the best restaurants in the region helped Gaurav Dhanwal, general manager Blue Ice and his chef design the menu for the kebab festival. Of the 20 kebab dishes they liked after several tasting sessions at various eating joints, they short-listed ten. “We chose the dishes on the basis of availability of ingredients and more importantly how they will please the taste buds,” says Gaurav.
The second best option in the non-veg category is Birbal mutton seekh kebab which has mutton as the base product and different vegetables added to it. Even after all these years kebabs are still as popular. “People know that kebabs are either shallow fried or roasted. In that case, they are much healthier than the fried chicken served as fast food.” A few more interesting options on the menu are Kashmiri kebab, chicken kaffrial and nav rattan seekh. Each portions costs Rs 325. On till may 18.
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Sling it on
As for the guys, they also love to sport the sling
bags as they are the new unisexual bags on the fashion scene. Says Nachiket Barve, a well-known designer, “Fashion is getting democratic now and as we are travelling more; getting smarter with the I-pads and smart phones, therefore I feel one just needs to look stylish using functional stuff.” Even high-end brands like Gucci, Coach, Louis Vuitton and Burberry have either proper sling bags or tote bags with sling belts in their handbag collection. Also at the Lakme Fashion Week 2012, designer Priyadarshini Rao, under her label Mineral, showcased her collection while limiting the accessories to leather sandals and sling bags. Says Anchal Kumar, a model, “Sling bags are very convenient to use because you don’t really have to hold a bag, it’s just that your sling it across your shoulder. They are designed very differently as per their usage features.” These bags are definitely the accessory to enhance your look when you are dressed up casually, while clubbing or while you are out for a vacation. “One should have different shapes, sizes and colours in these sling bags because they are the best option to be trendy,” adds Anchal. So sling across and get going! sabiatalwar@tribunemail.com
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Break free
But then that was yesterday; today’s generation is blessed as parents hit the panic button as soon as the holidays start and come up with great vacation ideas to make their holiday a memorable one. “My son is crazy about cricket camps so that takes up a good part of his holidays. But apart from that we manage to squeeze in a holiday to the hills to beat the heat. This vacation we have planned a holiday in Barot in Himachal. It’s a quiet and secluded hill station that has the original log hut and the rest of the vacation is just whiled away watching TV and busying him with his Play Station,” says Ritika Gupta, a banker in a private bank from Sector 20, Chandigarh. Holidaying on foreign shores is a fad these days and lot of families utilise their children’s holidays to visit a new country. “This year for our daughter’s summer holidays, we plan to go to the Philipines,” says Sahil and Raveena Saini. Though May and June is invariably the best time to holiday, it’s also the time to learn new things like riding a bicycle or learning how to swim. “Every year my parents want me to take up a new sport. And for that we have been to varied places like Manali for rock climbing, Bir for para- gliding so this, holiday we are going to Rishikesh to learn rafting,” says Kush Kapur, a UIET student. That’s not all! Parents also plan holidays to acquaint their children with the education system abroad. “This year my son and husband are going to the US. A couple of years back we took a trip to the US to show my son the colleges abroad so that he could make a choice which college he would like to join once he completed his schooling. So, that was a holiday with a purpose and we benefited from that as my son this year has made it to the college of his choice,” says Moon Sandhu, a teacher at Strawberry School. Well, with umpteen avenues and parents working for a best summer holiday, it is only a matter of choice as where you want to go!
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A corny tale!
Kandla Nijhowne Sweet, succulent and easily available in packets, frozen corn kernels can liven up any dish in a jiffy with perfect ease! When they pop in your mouth unexpectedly, oozing a delightful flavour, they come as a pleasant surprise! The trick is not to overcook these little beads, or the starch-content can harden in this specific variety. There are plenty of interesting ways to serve them up but my favourite is this recipe for jalapeno baked muffins. Get the kids into the kitchen to help, in which case you may reduce or omit altogether the green chillies.
Prepare a muffin tray and line the moulds with paper cases.
n
Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C. n
Combine the milk and vinegar in a small bowl. Set aside. n
Melt the butter and allow to cool. n
Sieve together the atta, cornmeal, salt and soda. n
Stir the cooled butter and honey into the milk. n
Mix together the dry and liquid ingredients. Use a light hand while doing so, or you will get hard and heavy muffins. n
Stir in corn and diced chillies. n
Use a ladle and spoon into prepared muffin cases. n
Bake until risen and golden—about 18-20 minutes. (Nijhowne is a Chandigarh-based
culinary expert)
Baked corn muffins
½ cup atta 1 ½ cup cornmeal (makki ka atta) 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt ¼ cup butter 1 ½ cup milk 1 tsp vinegar 3 tsp honey 1 jalapeno
(or green chilly),diced 1 cup corn kernels
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Freshen up
Ajay Mathur Shirley Temple is a refreshing summer drink you can make in less than 5 minutes. You can also add grenadine to give it an adult taste.
n Lime/lemon flavoured carbonated beverage n 1 cherry (maraschino Cherry) n 1 dash grenadine syrup (alcoholic or non alcoholic as you prefer) n Ice (1-3 cubes) Procedure Put ice cubes in a glass (a tall glass would make the drink look elegant). Pour the lime beverage and grenadine over the ice. Add cherry to it. Serve with a straw. (Mathur is a Panchkula-based chef)
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Gaurav is back!
Actors like Angad Hasija, Karan Wahi, Karan Singh Grover and Vishal Karwal were being considered for the role, but the makers ultimately decided to give a nod to Gaurav. “Gaurav has already started shooting for the show and he is back in form,” informed a source. However, Gaurav was unavailable for comment. The story of the show is said to be similar to that of Dil Toh Pagal Hai. As per the plot, Gaurav’s best friend, played by Benaf Dadachandji, will fall in love with him but he will treat her like a friend. On the other hand, Gaurav will have feelings for Shrenu Parekh. Anurag Sharma (Pavitra Rishta), Leena Shah (famous Gujarati actress), Dolly Minhas, Falguni Desai, Prateeksha Lonkar and Pawan Chopra are also reported to be part of the show.
Shantanu defends reality shows
He explained that while a good voice is essential for a singer’s success it is also necessary for the singer to have the ability to visualise the scene requirement and get into the mood of the character. “To reach success as a playback singer you have to be able to balance the ability to modulate your voice with the mood and feel of the character,” claims Shantanu. To justify this statement he shared anecdotes from the recording of his song Kaisi Paheli and said that when he was recording it, he had set up the entire studio as a dance room and Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Raima Sen and Swanand were made to dance so that Sundihi Chauhan could get the right feel of the song. While Kaisi Paheli went on to become a super hit, we hope that Shantanu’s challengers on the show make their mentor super proud and write their own success stories. When Karisma met Archana |
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The year ahead
If your birthday is May 8...
Due to changing work-patterns, you may be worried. Work-related travel is possible. To avoid any negative consequences, you may have to make certain adjustments. On the health front, you may not be happy as there are possibilities of stomach and throat problems. Finally, your aspirations will be fulfilled; you’ll have important contacts which will give you hope for the future. You must stay calm when your partner provokes you. Try to reciprocate his or her coldness by being distant and disinterested. You might need to restructure some of your business goals as a means to obtain the most out of your current situation. Taurus is not prone to take too many risks and you might thus be surprised at the sudden urge to take drastic, compulsive actions as a means of forcing your plans into action. Don’t get ahead of yourself, things are looking positive and you are on the right track. Drastic actions could lead to unnecessary conflict at the work place. You’ll be very tense and could say things you’ll later regret, so try to be clear and positive at all times. Those born after 1980 will be malicious towards an expansive co-worker. Generally this is not a very good time for your career. The work assigned to you might be a test of your expertise and knowledge. Its successful completion will bring many other offers your way. If you are still pursuing your studies, then this time frame would be favourable for you. Good news may seem to just ‘pour in,’ with raises, promotions, loans or sales going through; reunions, good grades for children, improvements in health issues and invitations heading the list. Avoid getting ‘too carried away’ with an idea for improvement and ‘pull back’ if estimates appear to ‘run too high’ before you ‘commit’. Friends are most helpful and stand ‘at the ready’ to assist in projects, problems and special events. Depend upon the best of your buddies and friends to ‘really come through for you.’ This year will give you multiple chances for private and intimate moments with your partner or loved one. Expect a change for the better. Mood: Clear and strong. Compatible signs: Scorpio, Gemini. Lucky colours: Cadet Blue, Dark Blue. Lucky days: Tuesday and Friday. Lucky numbers: 8, 15, 16, 32, 38 Lucky gem: Moonga. Lucky flower: Red Tulip. Suggestion on birthday: Donate red edible items at a religious place.
Melissa Gilbert (Melissa Ellen Gilbert) was born on May 8, 1964, and is a famous American actress, writer, and producer. Gilbert is best known as a child actress who co-starred as Charles Ingalls’s (played by Michael Landon) second daughter, Laura Ingalls Wilder, on the dramatic television series Little House on the Prairie (1974–1984). Melissa served two terms
as president of the Screen Actors Guild. Her autobiography Prairie Tale: A Memoir has also
been released.
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Astro Turf
ARIES: The need is to be vigilant as someone at office might try to harm your reputation. Call friends you haven’t seen for a long time. Drive carefully, especially two-wheelers. Tarot message: You have well-wishers, who will give you sound advice.
Lucky colour: Turquoise Lucky number: 60 TAURUS: Finances and investments will take up time today. This is also a good time to deal with loans. The planets indicate that this is a favourable time to deal with real estate. Tarot message: Take limited risks and don’t jeopardize your long term capitals. Lucky colour: Aqua Lucky number: 52 GEMINI: Many of you may receive some sound counsel from unexpected sources, so pay attention to everything that you hear. Those of you facing a cash crunch may be helped out by a friend. Tarot message: Health of an elderly member at home needs care. Lucky colour: Rainbow pastels Lucky number: 46 CANCER: This will be quite a rewarding day. Many of you may receive bonuses or pay hikes that were unexpected while others may receive appreciation for their hardwork. There will be monetary gains today. Tarot message: Leave thing open-ended if you want best results. Lucky colour: White Lucky number: 39 LEO: You will be able to achieve a lot in your personal and professional life. Financially, there will be gains, which will ease the burden of rising expenses. Tarot message: You need to be creative if you want to retain your grip over business. Lucky colour: Sea-green Lucky number: 28 VIRGO: A hectic social life would keep you on your toes today and lead to some interesting associations. However, with patience, love and tolerance you would be able to improve the situation. Tarot message: Wait a while; everything will get sorted out on its own. Lucky colour: Cream Lucky number: 63
LIBRA: Most of you would be craving for something stimulating and entertaining today. At work too, you will be open to challenging assignments that will give you a chance to tap your immense potential. Tarot message: You will get the help you need if you ask for it. Lucky colour: Deep red Lucky number: 41 SCORPIO: Manage personal relationships with diplomacy and thoughtfulness. Being vulnerable and open towards your partner will not make you weaker; rather it will bring the two of you closer. Tarot message: Do not overspend just to impress others. Lucky colour: Orange Lucky number: 32 SAGITTARIUS: Singles will receive good proposals and they should consider them. At work, you will be open to feedback and some of you will also be planning to prepare for promotions. Tarot message: Over optimism can lead to mistakes. Lucky colour: Mauve Lucky number: 30 CAPRICORN: If confused about relationships, don’t hesitate to seek help. You may be surprised by what you learn. Singles will also experience a deepening of a special friendship. Tarot message: You can stabilise your financial situation if you make investments in property. Lucky colour: Peach Lucky number: 64 AQUARIUS: Travelling and communication will be a part of day and so would an interest in religion as well as spirituality. Children will be filled with energy. Some of you will also be philosophical and spiritually inclined. Tarot message: Avoid gossip session at the workplace. Lucky colour: Saffron Lucky number:
50 PISCES: Adventure, fun and entertainment will be on the top of your mind today. Conversation too will be a highlight and you surely get to hone your interpersonal skills. Tarot message: Be sure of involving yourself as much as possible in new projects. Lucky colour: Purple Lucky number: 25
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A pre-school teacher who has authored many books on early childhood learning, an educational consultant for Disney and a Buddhist meditation coach, Ellen Booth Church would have come to India long back if she had her way. Though the visit came late, it brings along marriage of her two interests — child education and being in the country whose teachings she had grown up with.
Socialite Nicole Richie, who sports a different hairstyle in the new photoshoot, says she thinks herself the best hairstylist on the planet.
Factory Girl star Sienna Miller says she once used ketchup to ward off her bad experience with hair dye.
The 30-year-old actress recounted of her disastrous experience when she applied a henna- based colour to her hair which gave a green tinge to it.
The menu is quite obviously divided into two parts—vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Gaurav picks the vegetarian best from the menu, “Veg- shammi kebab and mushroom galauti kebab. The first is a mix of assorted vegetables and dal. The second tastes better as it’s spicier.” In the non- vegetarian menu, the must-try are murg banno kebab. The name has an interesting history. “In the Mughal era, a ruler’s wife used to be addressed as banno and she used to cover herself from head to toe. Similarly the tender chicken pieces are wrapped with egg and thus the name, murg banno kebab.”
She slips into her best outfits and wears those chic accessories; just to complete the overall look, she applies make-up to lift up her features. And then, at the end, when she’s ready to go, just slings a bag around her shoulder diagonally. Yes we are talking about today’s women, who are on the move 24X7 and also about their sling bags! Sling bags are the new rage this fashion season. Naina Vasudeva, a BA final year student from GCG, Sector-11, Chandigarh, says, “Sling bags look more chic than the regular bags I carry while going to college. I have a small red Adidas sling bag, which I did not use earlier but now as they are back in trend, I surely want to buy more of them.”
Come holiday season and most parents would pack up things and send their kids off to their grandparents’ place. Blessed with a package of ‘hundred days’ holiday, the entire holiday would be spent playing with cousins, bringing the house down, devouring Famous Five series, buying those round mint chewing gums and doing nothing but visiting the same places year-after-year, but still enjoying it.
Method
Ingredients
Handsome hunk Gaurav Khanna, who has acted in shows like Dil Se Diya Vachan and Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam among others, was last seen on TV as the host of Nachle Ve With Saroj Khan. But after a brief hiatus, he is all set to make a comeback as the male lead in Hats off Productions’ upcoming show on Sony TV, Byah Hamari Bahu Ka.
This weight is welcome!
