The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - The Tribune Lifestyle

	Bold, bright & bollywood style The wedding splendour is touching a new height with designers experimenting with more shimmer, brighter colours and dramatic cuts Jigyasa Kapoor Chimra Come October and the season suddenly breaks into a riot of colours, heavy embroideries, eye-catching designs and all things bright and beautiful. And why not, it's the beginning of the wedding season — a season of splendour; colour, vitality, bonhomie and of course the accompanying fashion fiesta (read fluff, flounce and frill). Well, talking of the bridal collections for the coming wedding season, the clothes are all shimmer and dazzle in true Bollywood style. Accessories play an important role and so does the mix and match concept. If on one hand we have the lehenga saris making a wave, on the other we have Anarkali style suits with a parallel salwar. From ethnic to western, this season is an eclectic mix of both for men and women. For designer trends, ace designers Shantanu and Nikhil brought the romance from the Renaissance and Baroque eras. In their collection they showcased brocades to floating tulle in all colours — from soft sweet golden to bold green and blue. For other designers styles we see jackets, dramatic weaves, graphic calligraphy, flowing silhouettes in net and chiffon with intricate embroidery in vogue. Groom with the best "Bundhgala with glittering hem and cuffs is the latest trend for men. Dhoti salwars and Jodhpuri pants are in this season. Other than that, it's the club wear that has made inroads into groom wear this season," says Manish Jain from Meena Bazaar. He adds, "Since men don't shy away from colours these days, we have bold hues for them. Right from electric blues to greens and reds, we have velvet coats. Five-piece suits are also doing well and so are casual jackets in Nehru collars. Embroidery too is in this season and we see a lot of it in men's wear." "Brocade Jodhpuri coat is another hot item in a groom's wardrobe. High neck velvet jackets with tiny embroidery too make a fashion statement and so do knee-length sherwanis. Printed silk scarves add a stylish touch and are a must have for 2013 weddings," says designer Gaurav Katta from Jaipur. "Though men's wear does not have as much innovation as women's wear but it's the introduction of colours in terms of wedding season that is new in grooms wear," says designer Nida Mahmood. Fit for the bride The bridal wear for women has always been a glittering affair with lehengas, cholis, suits and dupattas. While it's the play of fabric this season; we have lace, silk, satin, velvet brocade, Benarasi silk and net making the fashion toast. "Brocade and chantilly lace jazz up the outfits. Bias cut-paneled lehengas in jewel tones of reds, wines, golds, bright greens, electric blues, pinks, fuchsias, nudes and peachs are to look out for. "Lacy peplums, flared sleeves and ruffled petticoats teamed with long blouses in strap sleeves add to the old-world charm. Gotta patti is once again the hottest trend this season," says Divya Kapoor from Samsaara. If you want to experiment, look for the concept of gown-cum-sari this wedding season. "It's the concept of mix-and-match that is catching up fast and that's not alone in fabrics, we mean outfits too. Layering is quite a trend now and so is the antique look. We have saris that make use of three to four fabrics like velvet, tissue, Benarasi and net. For colours, it's either the hip-hop colours like flourscent green, hot pink, orange that are in vogue or we have the dusky hues of stone grey, light pink, sea green, peach taking the cake," says Rajneesh Jain from Meena Bazaar. "Well, since Indian weddings are such a grand affair, we have designers pitching in with their designs to make it even bigger and better. Corsets with fish cut and slimmer lehengas are quite popular now. Ghararas are an interesting silhouette, which is getting a lot of attention. Other than this contrasting dupattas are another very cool trend to look out for," says well-known designer Nida Mahmood.
	GYAN ZONE Phone a friend. It works! Sabia Talwar Feeling low? Don't worry. Just dial a friend as phoning a friend can end your blues. A recent study has found that discussing a problem over the phone with someone close can provide a similar boost as seeing them face-to-face. We wonder why the researchers have termed this process as 'talking cure'. Talking long hours on the phone is a common thing with the younger generation. Says Priyanka Mohan, who is working in a private firm in Chandigarh, "I totally agree with the study. I work throughout the day and when I get back home in the late evening, I make it a point to call my closest of friends to get over the frustrations caused by the long working hours. And trust me at that time you feel that you are with that person and feel relaxed once you vent out your feelings over the phone." And what about the people who have no option other than talking on the phone? "This happens with me because most of my friends and even my sister are living abroad and there is no one else who can take their place. So, making a call to them makes you feel that they are with you and distance is not a barrier," adds Simran Jagdev, a wedding photographer from Chandigarh. Even when you live in the same city you can't meet every day because one is busy with their respective routines and thus phone calls are the only way to provide you moral support. As the technology has advanced and smart phones have literally found a place in everybody's pockets, instant communication has become easy. Says Ashish Dhillon, a young entrepreneur from Chandigarh, "I would rather say that nowadays making a call is also not necessary as I and my friends have a group on WhatsApp where we have a group chat going on almost the whole day. So, we are in constant touch with each other and the feeling is almost as if we are meeting up with each other." But then who says that everyone has to agree? Says Karan Mehta, a student from Panjab University, "I just don't like talking on phone or messaging as I feel that meeting a person is a totally different feeling altogether. I have been in a serious relationship with a girl for the past two years and I don't talk to her on the phone for long hours but I make it a point to meet her every day." Well, if you fall in the 'phoning a friend to find solace' category, then go ahead. sabiatalwar@tribunemail.com
	Coming soon Art of fighting A free self-defense workshop for women is being offered by Kings Academy of Martial Arts, Chandigarh in association with NGO, Justice for Women. The cases of bullying, chain snatching, eve-teasing, rape being reported have made women uncomfortable and insecure. This workshop aims to instill confidence in women. There will be training in self-defense techniques, general awareness, weaponless training and quick reaction. The free workshop is on October 13 and 14 in the evening at Kings Academy-33. — TNS
	GET PHYSICAL A salute to the sun Renu Sabberwal Surya Namaskara means salutations to Lord Surya (the Sun), the giver of energy to the world. There are twelve mantras which are different names of the sun god. With each posture, a particular mantra is chanted. They are given below. Postures of Surya Namaskar Pranam asana (Aum mitraya namah): Stand with your feet together and hands joined in front of the chest in the traditional namaskar position. This pose induces a state of concentration. Hastautthan asana (Aum ravaye namah): Inhale and stretch your hands up straight, above your head. Stretch your neck and look upwards. Bend slightly backwards to make an arch of the upper body. It stretches the abdominal organs and improves digestion. Padahasta asana (Aum suryaya namah): Exhale and bend from the waist to touch your fingers to the floor. After regular practice, you will be able to touch your forehead to the knees and rest the palms flat on the ground. It eliminates or prevents stomach or abdominal ailments. Ashwa-sanchalan asana (Aum bhanave namah): Resting both hands on the ground, inhale and take the right leg behind and stretch it out on the floor. Bend the left knee and keep the foot in line with your hands. Stretch your neck up. It massages abdominal organs and improves their functioning, strengthens the leg muscles and balance the nervous system. Parvat asana (Aum khagaya namah): While exhaling, straighten the left leg out such that both feet are together and your back is straight, not curved. Make sure that your gaze is on the floor and your elbows are not bent. This pose strengthens the nerves and muscles in the arms and legs. Ashtang namaskar(Aum pushne namah): Slowly bring your knees to rest on the floor, then your chest, followed by the forehead. This is a state of absolute surrender. Bhujanga asana (Aum hiranyagarbhaya namah): In a smooth movement, raise your head and upper body, resting your palms on the ground. Be cautious not to hold your breath while in this pose. This pose keeps the spine supple, improving circulation in the back region and toning the spinal nerves. Parvat asana (Aum marichaye namah): From here, get into an inverted V-position keeping your knees and elbows straight; rest the soles and palms flat in the ground and allow the head to hang down freely. This pose strengthens the nerves and muscles in the arms and legs. Ashwa-sanchalan asana (Aum adityaya namah): Fold the right leg from the knee and bring it close to the chest, resting it near the hands. It massages abdominal organs and improves their functioning, strengthens the leg muscles and induces balance in the nervous system. Padahasta Asana (Aum savitre namah): Bring the left leg in front, rest it next to the right foot and rest your hands on the ground. It massages abdominal organs and improves their functioning, strengthens the leg muscles. Hastautthan asana (Aum arkaya namah): Inhale deeply and get back to the standing position. Stand on your feet together, and stretch out your hands above the head, keeping the elbows straight. Then bend your spine backwards. It improves digestion. Pranam asana (Aum bhaskaraya namah): Join the palms of both hands together in front of the chest in the namaskar position. Spend a few moments absorbing the energy of the sun. This completes one round of Surya Namaskar. (Sabberwalis a yoga expert) As told to Poonam Bindra
	Go-getter Galloping away to glory vasudha gupta Weaving success stories in today's cut-throat competitive world is not easy. Jasmine Cheema, 22, however, stands apart for her achievements. Coming from an Army background, the girl spent most of her schooling days moving from one place to another. Today, she is an account manager of client relation at Meltwater. An equestrian by passion, she strikes a perfect balance between fun and work. An international business student at the Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada, we find out more about her. Motivational factor For this young girl, it has been the process of watching her mother work tirelessly throughout her life. Her achievement is a one-of-a-kind inspirational story. "She was part of the Indian hockey team and an active paratrooper during her college days," Jasmine says. Although, her mother had to give up her profession after marriage, the daughter is busy fulfilling her mother's dreams. Strongly believing in the fact that whatever happens, happens for the best, is what keep Jasmine going. Feathers in the cap Jasmine was the first international student who won the Student of International Studies Award by the Organisation for Women in International Trade, Canada. She worked as a trade assistant in the North Carolina Department of Commerce-Canadian Office. Worked with Julian Bayley, the man behind the fabulous Ice Lounge. She has won medals at various equastrian jumping shows and dressage events. She represented Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh at the Republic Day Celebrations and was part of the Prime Ministers rally. Jasmine is part of the Chandigarh Taekwondo Association and was selceted to represent Chandigarh in All-India Open Taekwondo Games. Strengths and weaknesses A people's person, Jasmine credits her father's job in the Army, which took her to a new school every year. "It was probably by compulsion, but it worked to my benefit. I can strike a conversation with just about anyone now," she laughs. A focused person, Jasmine considers it a double-edged sword. "I pretty much forget about everything and immerse in my work, " she recalls. Flipside of being an achiever A positive girl, Jasmine does not look at failure as something negative. "I always try to look at the benefit of whenever something goes against my desires. That is what I have learnt, never recognise failure," she says. Words of wisdom "It's important to find out what you want and work towards it," she says. Discovering passions early on and working towards making dreams come true is what she suggests. "Don't compromise yourself you are all you have"
	Master Chef Roll-icking treat Manju Dewan A whole-meal snack with a lot of veggies is what foodies are looking for these days. This is why the subway sandwiches are so popular. As they take care of the carbs and vitamins too, they are recommended for the diet conscious. These Vietnamese rolls are as yummy to eat as they look and simple to make. Vietnamese roll Ingredients 10-12 rice paper wrappers ½ cup hakka noodles (boiled) 2 tbsp schezwan sauce For salad 1 carrot (cut into long thin strips) 6 spring onions (cut into thin strips) 1 cucumber (deseeded and cut into thin strips) 1 radish (cut into long thin strips) 1 tsp sesame seeds 2 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp vinegar ¼ tsp garlic paste Salt, to taste Lettuce leaves Method 1. Mix all ingredients of the salad and sauté for 2 minutes. Keep aside. 2. Mix hakka noodles and schezwan sauce. 3. Dip a rice paper in water and take out in few seconds. Keep on a kitchen towel till it softens. 4. Spread some noodles and salad on a rice paper. Roll it well. 5. Arrange them on a tray and serve. (Dewan is a Ludhiana-based culinary expert) As told to Poonam Bindra
	star track Return of the diva Actress Sridevi, who once used to rule the Indian film industry, makes her comeback with English Vinglish after a gap of 15 years. In a candid chat, she talks about the film and more… What kept you away all along? I wish to tell my fans that my family and my daughters kept me busy all these years. Films were always there. I wasn't excited about any offer till Gauri Shinde came to me with English Vingish. It just took a second to say yes after hearing the script. What made you say yes to a debutant Gauri? It was the story and the script. I fell in love with the character Sashi when she narrated it to me. My meeting with Gauri too happened so smoothly. I was talking to Balki her husband when he said his wife had a script. She came over and narrated and I simply said yes. There are reports in media that Madame Tussaud has approached to make a wax replica of you. I can't comment on that. It's too early to talk about it till it is officially signed. I will let my fans know when it happens. Were you receiving a lot of offers all along? Yes, I did but nothing exciting came up. Since my children were young I was not keen and was lost in my own time frame and family. I just couldn't pull myself away from there. How have they reacted to your film now that they have seen it? They are overwhelmed. They have seen my films on television but this was the first time they saw my fans reaction towards my film. How does it feel to finally make a comeback? I don't take it as a comeback as I had never quit the industry. My presence was always there in the industry. It is a heartening experience to know that you are loved and being missed. Nothing gives you a high as much as the love of your fans. Do you think Bollywood has changed over the years? Yes, it has changed a lot. We have advanced technically, we have films with sync sound and there's this whole invention of 3D. We have become much bolder and the entire technique of filmmaking has changed. Is it your first film with a woman director? Yes, and I enjoyed the experience. She was very cool and gave me a lot of confidence. She placed implicit trust in me. Tell us the secret to your glowing look. (Smiles) It's the love of my fans and people around me. I have always believed that your face is a mirror to your nature. What you feel inside reflects on your face.
	Pricey Mallika Mallika Sherawat has made LA her home. So much so that she was not even there even for the promotions of the movie Kismet Love Paisa Dilli and the director had to personally call and invite her for the same. Uff, her tantrums! Call of duty: Mallika Sherawat Alia gets going Mahesh Bhatt's daughter Aliaa Bhatt has been signed on by Karan Johar and Sajid Nadiadwala for 2 States. She will play a South Indian. She has impressed Karan Johar with her acting abilities. The official announcement will be made later this month. Karan Johar has been responsible in shaping careers of actresses like Rani Mukerji and Kajol. And we wonder if Alia will make her mark in Bollywood without daddy Mahesh's support.
	Challenging self Actor Arjun Rampal likes those characters that challenge his skills as an actor. "I like a role when initially it scares me, when I feel whether will I be able to that or not. Every character I thought can be easily done, went wrong," the 39-year-old said at the music launch of his forthcoming film Chakravyuh recently. "But Prakash (Jha) has always given me characters which allow me to push myself and go beyond," added Rampal. Meanwhile, Arjun also revealed that Chakravyuh director Prakash Jha has also acted in a scene of the film. "That was the most historical moment actually because he (Jha) kept the juiciest dialogues and the best set for himself... It came out as a wonderful scene and I hope it's in the film," said Arjun. Talking about his stint as an actor, Jha said, "There were some artists like Arjun Rampal because of whom I have not been able to keep that scene in the film." Chakravyuh also stars Abhay Deol, Esha Gupta and Manoj Bajpayee and hits theatres Dusshera, Oct 24. — IANS
	Unusual wedding present for vegan Anne Famous Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway has received a calf as a wedding present from the animal activists at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The Les Miserables star, who tied the knot with Adam Shulman at a small ceremony in California on September 29, chose an all-vegan menu for the wedding ceremony and the activists were so delighted that they presented a rescued calf to her. "By going vegan, Anne Hathaway is doing thebest thing that she can to better her health and save calves like Peter (Calf) from a life of suffering. “Anne is a living proof that vegans are beautiful from the inside," said Tracy Reiman, PETA executive vice president. Around 100 guests attended the nuptials, which began on Friday night with a rehearsal dinner at the Ventana Inn and Spa ahead of the wedding at a nearby private estate. — PTI
	Brangelina consider a name change Actor Brad Pitt and fiancé Angelina Jolie are reportedly considering legally changing their surnames after they tie the knot later this year. The Hollywood superstars raise six children together and are set to wed in France. "The current plan seems to be that they want to legally change their names to Jolie-Pitt and get married in the US, then fly back to France for a wedding party with only their children, closest friends and family," a source said. The couple has been very secretive about their wedding date. "Preparations seem to be well under way. Chairs and tables have been arriving at the property over the last week. The roof has also been rebuilt," the source added. — PTI
	Tiger’s new commandment Salman Khan does whatever he wants. He always gets his way. So his latest rule is that the producers of his films will get their production costs and a fee and the profits will be pocketed by him. Smart rule! Salman has delivered back to back blockbusters like Dabangg, Ready, Ek Tha Tiger, Bodyguard, so his success and the blockbuster status of his movies is a guarantee. They gross around INR 140-150 crore on average. Salman makes many rules on the sets such as his reporting time, he has a say in the scenes, the costumes of the heroines, the promotions of the films, the music directors and more. So this is just a new rule he has added to his list. A source says, "Earlier, producers would pocket the profit but now Salman will. The thing is that if the film does well, then the producer will make a lesser profit but in case the film fails, then Salman will have to bear the losses. It is a big gamble in some ways but he knows what he is doing. He is not the first one to do this. Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan have done this in the past. Salman's next will be Dabangg 2, a Christmas release.
	chatter box No laughing matter Actor Sargun Mehta seen in shows like 12/24 Karol Bagh, Geeta and Phulwa, recently was seen in Comedy Circus along with ace comedian Kapil Sharma. Like any actress who is experimenting with career, Sargun too looks for approval from close ones. She texts her family and close friends asking for feedback. Sargun is very nervous about this debut in comedy as she feels making people laugh is a big challenge for her. But she feels it's her co-contestant on the show, Kapil who makes all the difference to their act.
	Finally, love’s happening In the upcoming episodes of Rab Se Sohna Isshq on Zee TV Ranveer (Ashish Sharma) and Sahiba (Ekta Kaul) will finally meet each other. Sources inform that the most awaited moment will arrive as Daljeet (Kannan Malhotra) will get to know that his friend Roni is Ranveer (Sahiba's love) and he will decide to unite them. A still from Rab Se Sohna Isshq
	Chhahat dumps Kannan Of late, the media has written a lot about Chhahat Khanna and Kannan Malhotra's break up. They were in a relationship for almost two years and now have moved on in life on a sour note. Chahhat Khanna is already dating a guy called Farhan Mirza. A source who was also present in London informed that Kannan was totally broken after the break-up. He was also seen weeping for hours in London. But what came next was a surprise. There were reports that break-up happened because of Kannan's abusive nature towards Chahhat and her family.
	The happy go lucky girl Jyotsna Chandola, better known as Khushi of Colors’ Sasural Simar Ka, is a fun loving girl in real life and that is exactly opposite to her on-screen role. The pretty damsel talks about the show and her character. Are you fond of the character you are playing? Yes, I am enjoying it as my character has different shades. At times, she is a simple, well-behaved girl and the other moment she is naughty and loves to play pranks. Don’t you get bored of playing the same character? Well, doing a daily soap does get monotonous but at the same time I do a lot of mischief on the sets, which helps me balance things. How do you keep yourself busy during free time on the sets? It completely depends on my mood. If I am in a very happy frame of mind, then I will be singing and jumping and talking to everyone around. I also share my dreams with everybody else on the sets. So what are your dreams like? I dream a lot and I remember all my dreams from the start till the end. Everybody enjoys hearing them. Do you ever get a hangover of your character even after the shoot? No, I am not one of those people who carry their work back home. I can switch on and off pretty fast. While enacting a particular role one does not have to become that character, but he just needs to understand it and act accordingly. If I start believing that I am a murderer in a scene where I have to murder someone, I might actually end up murdering people (laughs).
	On a friendly note When you're part of a competitive industry like television, friends may at times be hard to find. But with the way things are going fellow actresses are getting along really well with each other. Recently at the shoot of Star Plus' Star Parivaar Rishto Ka Tyohar, two of the leading ladies from the channel, Disha also known as Pankhuri from Pyaar Ka Dard… and Deepika Singh known as Sandhya from Diya Aur Baati Hum set the stage on fire. They couldn't help but chat throughout. Their bonding began after they realised that both of them are from Delhi and that's how they instantly hit it off. They then realised that they have a lot of things in common and discussed it all. With every opportunity they got they were seen running to each other to catch up on a lot of stories.
	Happy anniversary! Kuch Toh Log Kahenge completed a year recently and Kritika Kamra who plays Dr Nidhi in the show thanked her fans for the support. She said, "The journey has been quite an eventful one. I have loved every part of the show. Each and every moment on the set has been a memorable one. The numbers are also coming now. The time slot changed from 8.00 pm to 11.00 pm but I feel the popularity of the show is still intact. We have a set of loyal audiences and I am very happy with the progress of the plot. I am thankful to the fans who keep watching our show."
	new releases Kismat Love Paisa Dilli Producer: Amit Chandra, Krishan Chaudhary Director: Sanjay Khanduri Kismat Love Paisa Dilli is a story of one crazy night in Delhi where protagonists Vivek Oberoi and Mallika Sherawat fall in love while facing an unusual situation. Vivek knocked off his bulk to play a 23-year-old while Mallika slipped into some cute dresses to project a 20-something. KLPD was earlier titled Gyrah Chalis Ki Last Metro. The film has been shot in Mumbai’s Andheri sports complex and locations all over Delhi Metro. KLPD releases today all over and is produced by Amit Chandra and Krishan Chaudhary. Baith Pajero mein appy budday manayenge…’, a foot-tapping song sung and composed by young music composer Santokh Singh is already a chartbuster. English Vinglish Producer: Sunil A. Lulla, R. Balki, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Director: Gauri Shinde Sridevi is making a comeback after 15 years which created enough curiosity among her fans all over the world. Sridevi-starrer English Vinglish directed by debutant Gauri Shinde (R Balki’s wife) has already been premiered at recently-concluded Toronto International Film Festival and received a wonderful response from viewers. A story of a middle-class housewife’s struggle with the language, English-Vinglish releases today all over. Priya Anand, Mehdi Nebbou, Adil Hussain, Sujata Kumar and Ross Mathan also star in this drama. Superstar Amitabh Bachchan makes a guest appearance in this film. — Dharam Pal
	Astro turf P. Khurran ARIES: There will be several disruptions, which will leave you feeling irritated. Be careful as you are prone to losing your temper with loved ones. Significant gains through commission work or speculative trading is on the cards. Tarot message: Use your instinct to gain power. Lucky colour: Royal-blue. Lucky number: 27 TAURUS: Success is certain. Joint ventures or partnership with a close friend or colleague has the making of a profitable alliance in the long run. You will be happy to learn about the success of someone close. Tarot message: Plan your life better to avoid delays. Lucky colour: Ebony. Lucky number: 40 GEMINI: Plans are likely to undergo a change today, whether you like it or not. Partnership could be a problem. Meetings and negotiations for proposals will yield good results. Tarot message: Allow a sick situation blow over before you start a new project. Lucky colour: Cream. Lucky number: 47 CANCER: Hardwork and perseverance will certainly get rewarded. Put behind the unpleasant events of the past. Genuine appreciation and understanding will come your way. Tarot message: Lack of confidence or caution can leave you in losses. Lucky colour: Parrot-green. Lucky number: 48 LEO: Meetings and talks will go off very well. Be patient and consider all factors before making a decision. An advance payment will materialise. Meetings and talks will go off very well. Tarot message: Listen carefully to words of wisdom even if you do not relish them. Lucky colour: Crimson. Lucky number: 38 VIRGO: Financial gains are assured to the bold and courageous. The employed can look forward to an out-of-turn promotion. Be patient and consider all factors before making a decision. Tarot message: Restore ties with business people you have been out of touch. Lucky colour: Deep-red. Lucky number: 28 LIBRA: Those willing to walk the extra mile and hold on to their courage in the face of adversity will land up with financial gains. Promotion and other benefits are on the cards. An advance payment will materialise. Tarot message: Make an effort to boost your income. Lucky colour: Off-white. Lucky number: 55 SCORPIO: You will strike a good bargain. Concentrate on your routine work. Personal relationships are disappointing. Don't let it bother you. Things could go against you. Social activity will help to ease your mind. Tarot message: Take one step at a time. Lucky colour: Orange. Lucky number: 46 SAGITTARIUS: Try to remain calm. There are times in a relationship when it is wiser to be silent. In your natural exuberance to keep everyone happy, do not neglect your mate or beloved. Tarot message: Polish your public relation skills. Lucky colour: Florescent-green. Lucky number: 45 CAPRICORN: You will be discussing expansion plans but try to resolve disputes, if any, amicably. You will be concerned about your mate or beloved who has not been keeping well. Tarot message: Don’t afraid to lend a helping to others. Lucky colour: Brown. Lucky number: 41 AQUARIUS: Do not get tied down by any promises, especially in money matters. Someone will borrow money and not return it at all. Temptation to criticise a family member must be avoided. Tarot message: Dare and accomplish difficult tasks. Lucky colour: Violet. Lucky number: 51 PISCES: An office romance will get you into trouble. Be assertive where and when you have to. Stability and inner strength is what you’re looking for and you will find Tarot message: Tread familiar ground to make a breakthrough in your career. Lucky colour: Golden. Lucky number: 30
	The year ahead Madan Gupta Spatu If your birthday is October 5... This year, health should be given priority over social life. Investment in antiques and jewellery will bring gains and prosperity. It is a favourable period for sorting out domestic matters and finishing pending household jobs. A romantic encounter, although highly exciting, will not last long. You will have the stamina and the know-how to raise your earning power. Events will be good and at the same time disturbing - leaving you confused and tired. A person close to you will make an attractive offer. Your loved one seems tired of the usual daily events and would like to go out; meet new friends together and maybe fool around a little! Your good workplace relationships make it easier and more fun. Investigating your own gut feelings can help you identify issues early. It is a good time for new enterprises and travel. The planet Saturn smiles at you and restores your energy, but do not reveal your cards. Those who work in a team will have to act with humility and avoid all forms of arrogance or aggression towards a co-worker who does not behave in the same way. You must remember your dreams and use your natural abilities. You can get back to where you belong if you use truth as your guide. Only ask for what you really need and not what you deserve. Even though you feel certain you can get away with it, you must not push things too far. You may have to 'launch a new system' or at least discover the need to. Revamping how you do things can save time, effort and money. Streamline to eliminate waste; talk to get more co-operation and hold budget discussion ideas for best results. It's a good year for communication. Take steps to rein in your expenditure. Investments made earlier may bring some profits. Avoid any sale and purchase of property or vehicle. Friendships formed at this time have 'far-reaching' potential. State of mind: Devoted and detailed. Compatible signs: Sagittarius, Capricorn Lucky colours: Maroon, Khaki Lucky days: Sunday and Tuesday. Lucky numbers: 1, 9, 10, 11, 15 Aishwarya Majmudar (October 5, 1993) is a singing prodigy. She was awarded the title of Chhote Ustaad on April 5, 2008, on Amul STAR Voice of India. Aishwarya was invited by New York's Indian community to sing American National Anthem followed by Indian National Anthem for India Day Parade on August 16, 2009. She sang as well as danced to other Bollywood hits in front of over 100,000 people at the Madison Square Park in New York, USA.