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The road less travelled
Imitiaz Ali and Alia Bhatt hit the Highway. At the end of the journey, they have come up with some refreshing experiences to share with
us... Some just wait for the story to unfold and then some, with a spring in their step, pack their bags, roll that map and get rolling. Bollywood director Imtiaz Ali believes in going out in search of stories rather than being hit by one. This time in this quest to find himself and something more, he is joined by the pretty student of the year, Alia Bhatt. As they near the Highway, they stop by in Chandigarh and turn the pages of their travel diaries. Unassumingly and sometimes pretty much knowingly, this frizzy haired, lean director takes all his characters to the road while treating them to a journey that crosses the towering mountains. “Travel…this is where all the ideas come from. One has nothing else to do while travelling, so you are bound to be hit by ideas. As for the hills, I am probably in love with them; I end up bringing my stories here,” says Imtiaz. Not all those who wander get lost; some like him have a trick of finding the ‘right’ path somehow! Imtiaz did the same with the story of Highway. “I had written the story a long time back for Zee TV’s Rishtey show; somehow I had to abandon it, something that I didn’t like. Now, here it is in the form of the film Highway!” Imtiaz has more to give away on this. “I had thought of making Highway in many different ways; with Bobby Deol, Sunny Deol, as an action movie and then the pseudo romance,” he admits. So what does this interestingly creative director finds on the Highway? “I guess we find ourselves when we are displaced.” The film will be premiered at the Berlin Film Festival, something that excites the team but our director here doesn’t attach the ‘world’ with festivals. “I don’t know much about festivals,” he says, pretty convinced about it. Who can ignore the fact that not everything is perfectly placed in a journey? And if you happen to be the man behind some successful journeys like Jab We Met or Rockstar, then you are ‘expected’ to slide through the road easily? “I am only thinking about Highway right now; there is no pressure, the only expectations are from me, no success and no failure,” he adds. The unsaid rule of any journey — it takes you nowhere and yet wherever you want!
Leading lady
The layers of pancake have been scrapped off her face; those fancy, hi-end dresses have been hung back in the closet. Alia Bhatt now eats and lives reality on the roads of the Highway! “I wouldn’t say this is my real test, but of course, this movie has made me touch base with myself. I didn’t know I could do certain things, which later on I became perfectly comfortable with. After a while, during the shooting, I could sit and eat under a tree; I could sleep on the floor,” says the gossamer skinned beauty Alia Bhatt, who definitely carries her style of ‘Bhattism’ even if that means admitting that her general knowledge can go for a toss! With that de-glam look, without the sky-touching stilettos, Alia has thoroughly lived her highway journey along with actor Randeep Hooda, the actor we heard she wouldn’t talk much to. “Initially, I was intimidated by Randeep Hooda; I thought he didn’t talk much and also given the fact that he was much elder to me. Later on when we started talking, I realised he would talk so much; in fact, in that sense he is much younger.” Expect her to say whatever she wants to. The power of Bhatt! Alia smiles, “I would like to believe I am different in my own way, though people don’t let me.” Alia has also sung a track in Highway, a chance talent that she discovered on the highway. The traveller generally doesn’t know what to expect on a journey! jasmine@tribunemail.com
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Over a cuppa coffee
Modern day coffee houses have literally become workplaces for the youngsters in Ludhiana…
A cup of coffee and nice ambience around; the menu, the laptop and the i-pad rolled open, it's time to get started with the day's work as you sip along. Modern day coffee houses are doubling up as work places for the young ‘mobile’ Indians. Since the beginning of the coffee houses in the 17th century, these have been the breweries of great thoughts; where the ideas of social change have fermented. These have been places where various schools of thought have germinated in different countries. In the contemporary times, we are on the threshold of another change that is being brought about with the syncing of the new cafes and internet mobility — the new ‘work-café’ culture. Cafes these days are frequented by casual workers to workaholics; be it freelancers, self-employed persons, online workers, marketing personnel and the like. Says Maninder Sobti, owner of the Cake Square, Ludhiana, "The culture of working in a cafe is definitely catching up. Come at any time of the day and you'll find people with their laptops, gadgets, official files et al. Sometimes the youngsters come for several days together for completing their projects. They get so used to the cafe that they sit in the same space and prefer the same table too! We have at least six-seven guests, who bring their laptops and work here." Most of the up-market cafes and international cafe-chains have adopted the convention of ‘no interruption to customers’, unless the customers themselves call out to the attendants. You can sit for as long without being bothered unless you care for a menu, coffee or snack of your liking. "One can sit for as long before or after having coffee or snacks in our lounge; we honour our guests," says Amandeep Singh from Cafe Coffee Day. The WiFi at most of the cafes is an added attraction, as visitors drop in for a snappy 'coffee-social-media' check or lounge around longer browsing the net. "Access to the Internet is one big plus, as I check all my mails and work in a cafe," says Raman, a blogger. "It is always a nice change to use cafes for official work, as you get the feel of an outing; visiting a cafe and meeting your professional commitments at the same time - a perfect combination," says Raghav, who frequents a cafe at Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana. "I hold my professional meetings at the cafe only. And as the number of cafes increase, my 'work places' are increasing too," he smiles. Not only for individual work, cafes are also being used for official interactive sessions. "We use the cafe for conducting interviews for recruitment purposes in the mornings and afternoons. The ambience is calm and rather informal. The interviewee is also more relaxed at a place like this than he or she would perhaps be in a formal setting like an office or conference hall," says Anju Chhuttani, a senior sales manager from a pharmaceutical company. Students also meet and discuss studies, academic work over a cup of coffee. "A couple of photographers visited the cafe for a few days and trained some amateurs," says Sobti. Rohit, who works with an advertising firm, also prefers cafes to office. "When I have the option of working away from office, I prefer to work from here. Why to work from the staid office, when there are cafes and quite a few of them," he says. Sandeep, another regular at a café, says, “Working at the office one gets to see the same faces, but in a cafe you get to see so many new faces each day, which keeps you fresh. Plus, during the breaks, you get a chance to make new friends.” It is a win-win for both the customers and the cafes. "Our customers get casual place to work from, the cafes get the orders for snacks, coffee and more," smiles a cafe owner. "The longer the occupancy, more the orders," he adds. Welcome to the new workplace! gurvinder@tribunemail.com
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Console magic
Dj Nikhil Nehta, the first one from Chandigarh to have played at the Sunburn Festivals in Bangalore and Goa, loves to play progressive trance...
Nikhil Mehta, despite being young, has already carved a special niche for himself in the world of DJs. Nikhil graduated from DAV College, Chandigarh, in 2012 and from there on decided to follow his passion — music. Presently, DJ Nikhil Mehta is the first in the city to have played at the Sunburn Festival in Bangalore and Goa. We catch up for more. After completing your graduation, you took to music. Did you parents approve of it? After graduation, I went to Gurgaon and studied djing at ILM. During that time I was also pursuing MBA, but I dropped out of it because I wanted to devote all attention to music. At first, my parents did raise objections but later they agreed. Where all in the city have you played so far? I came back to Chandigarh in February 2013 when I was offered a job to play at Hops and Grains. Later, in April I got a job as a DJ at the Underdoggs. How did you get through to Sunburn? The Sunburn came up with a competition in November and we had to give a recorded set of one hour. They received 420 entries and two winners were selected to perform at Bengaluru Sunburn. In the second competition, the winner had to perform at the Goa Sunburn. What kind of music do you play? Big room house music and progressive trance. Sunburn Goa or Sunburn Bangalore? Goa; definitely. amarjot@tribunemail.com
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Landmark!
A landscape makeover can instantly lift the mood of your home Sukhmani
Recreating your landscape may seem overwhelming, but it's a rewarding task that will greatly impact the usability and value of your home. Start the process by deciding what look you want in your yard. If you need help visualising, ask a professional landscape architect or designer for ideas and a landscape plan. The process of removing, replacing, and choosing new materials can be fun, though stressful for many. Here are a few tips to help get you started. Get a plan on paper Fresh outlook Remove old plantings. With those out of the way, you have a great opportunity to see the space you have to work with. Before you start adding new plants, take a moment to consider any changes you'd want in your yard's functionality. Colour is the key Add colour to the landscape. You can provide colour and interest all year long by using attractive combinations of shrubs, evergreens, perennials and annuals. Plant wisely Choose plants that draw attention to your home's entrance or great views, or soften harsh house corners or open walls. They can even create privacy where needed. Focal point Decide now If you have dreamed of
a patio or grilling area, or a wider walkway, now is the time to decide and implement! Less is more Don't get carried away with variety. Instead, use a smaller palette of plantings repeated throughout the space. That will create an arrangement that is more pleasing to the eye than a hodgepodge. And it generally requires less maintenance. If you still crave variety, container plants are ideal for helping mix things up, especially at your home's main entrance. Walkways Walkways direct foot traffic in and around the landscape design. Installing or replacing walkways will automatically update the landscape look. Consider rounded, flowing curves to help create a natural feel. If your setting is contemporary or more formal, angular lines blend well. Accessorise Landscaping accessories are one of the easiest ways to update an old landscape design. Landscaping accessories can vary from unique and artistic sculptures to comfortable outdoor furniture pieces. Fountains, ponds, lighting, garden bridges, fire pits and even pools are some accessories that can drastically change the landscape design of a home. (Sukhmani is a Chandigarh-based
interior and landscape designer)
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The position of the ball
Jesse Grewal
For a wedge the ball was placed more towards the back foot and the ball position was progressively moved towards the front foot as the club got longer. For a mid iron it was in the middle of the stance and for the longer irons it was forward of centre ending up with being just inside the lead foot with the driver. Many golfers still follow this principle often with poor results. This is because they had another variable which many do not consider. The width of the stance also varied with each club. With the wedge the shot was played with a narrow stance and the stance got progressively wider till the driver. So actually the ball was positioned somewhere in the middle with a very narrow stance with a wedge and then the back foot moved away for a wider stance in the longer clubs giving an appearance of the ball being more forward. The distance of the ball from the lead foot remained the same on all clubs except the driver where it was moved forward to catch the ball on the upswing. Most golfers do not vary the width of the stance for the full shot these days and therefore the ball position does not vary more than approximately two inches between a wedge and a long iron. A good way to check is to make a practice swing with a wedge and then with a long iron and mark the divots. The divot would be forward of centre with both clubs assuming that the swing is on plane. A golfer with an in to out or shallow swing will tend to place the ball towards the back foot and a steep out to in swing would need the ball to be forward. Placing the ball back in the stance lowers the trajectory of the ball while a forward ball position leads to a high shot. In terms of direction a ball position towards the back foot drops the right arm (for right handed golfers) closer to the body causing the shoulders to shut or align right of the target. This makes the swing come from in to out leading to push hooks. When the ball position is too forward the shoulders point left or are open and the swing follows this path and comes from out to in causing a pull slice. To identify the desired ball position for your swing make a practice swing and watch the divot in relation to your stance (position of the feet). Place the ball fractionally behind the beginning of the divot to catch the ball on the downswing with an iron. (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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Grey matter
Dr Vikas Sharma
Hair ageing comprises degradation of the hair shaft, which involves progressive degeneration of the hair fibre from the root to the tip. The aged hair shows dryness, reduced strength, rough surface texture, loss of colour, decreased lustre, stiffness and brittleness. Premature greying of hair makes a person look much older than his or her age. Our hair follicles contain a pigment called melanin. Melanocytes produce the pigment melanin and they are the cells responsible for much of the colouring of the human body, including the hair. As we age, the activity of these melanocytes gradually declines until they stop making pigment. New hairs grown in without pigment, result in grey hair. In males, the beard and moustache areas commonly become grey before scalp or body hair. On the scalp, the temples usually show greying first, followed by a wave of greyness spreading to the crown and later to the occipital area. Although nothing can stop hair from ageing, there are some conditions that can cause hair to age earlier or more quickly than normal. Among the natural aggressors, excessive UV ray exposure leads to hair ageing. Photochemical degradation of hair results in attack on both hair protein and hair pigment. Excessive ultraviolet ray exposure affects not only the melanin, but also the amino acids and lipids in the hair as well as on the cuticle. A person experiencing a prolonged period of stress and anxiety will notice, over a period of time, the change in hair colour from black to grey. Severe illness too can slow or stop the production of melanin and amino acids. Improper dietary habits and sleep hours; sedentary lifestyle and alcohol also can lead to premature ageing of hair. Premature ageing of hair has also been associated with autoimmune disorders. Other causes of premature hair ageing include:
The treatment
The treatment is targetted primarily on identifying and managing the causative as well as triggering factors. There is still a lot of research going on and medical science has been partially successful in introducing anti-ageing hair sera which can arrest the premature greying in some cases. These sera act by protecting the hair fibre from oxidative damage by environmental factors, regenerating the hair lipid layer, improving the strength as well as flexibility of hair and increasing the number of pigmented cells in the hair bulb. (Dr Sharma is a Chandigarh-based
dermatologist)
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What makes Sonam uncomfortable?
My maasi’s son is getting married. So I will have to sacrifice attending the awards functions....yes, I’ll have to skip all of them. It’s a pity, because I’d have the chance to do what I really like doing — dressing up. Awards function
Would you believe it, I’ve never attended an awards function in my life! Not even as child did I ever accompany my father to any awards function. After I became an actress something or the other kept me away from the awards functions every year. Even during the year of Rakeysh Mehra’s Delhi 6 I couldn’t be there. Film nominations
Both Raanjhanaa and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag are nominated in several categories. I’d have loved to be there for no other reason except to cheer my team for both the films. Sadly I won’t be able to make it to any of the awards functions. Though I wasn’t there in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag for too much playing-time, the very act of being in a film so important pleased me. And I think I was liked in the film. As for Raanjhanaa director Aanand Rai spoilt me. After doing this film I cannot play decorative dolls in any film. Not comfortable
It’s not a nice thing for me to be judged against another person. How can two actresses or actors be nominated for the same award unless they both play the same character? How can two separate films be measured by the same yardstick? From my childhood I’ve never been comfortable with the idea of competing with my colleagues. I hated the idea of one of us in the class getting a prize. It automatically made the other students in the class feel less important. I am not in competition with anyone in the industry. It’s not important for me to score over others with my performances. I need to be happy with the work I do. Upcoming films
All my three films this year Bewaqoofiyan, Khubsoorat and Dolly Ki Doli feature me in substantial roles. The shooting for our home production Khubsoorat was completed last week. It was quite a journey. And I think we’ve done what we set out to achieve.
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A ‘tweet’ encounter
Ankhon Dekhi is a humorous film about a man's journey, the script for which has been written by Rajat Kapoor.
In fact, Rajat approached quite a few production houses with the script. After failing to raise money for his upcoming independent film, a disheartened Rajat Kapoor had poured out his disappointment in a tweet. Within hours, he landed a producer. Manish Mundra, an NRI with a petrochemical factory in Nigeria who followed Rajat on the social networking site and had watched his films, tweeted back saying he was interested in investing in the project. When contacted Manish in Nigeria, he confirmed the news over the phone and said, “Rajat sent across his cell number and we had a telephonic conversation. He offered to send me the script but I was more interested in the budget.” Rajat initially thought it was a hoax as Manish knew nothing about the industry or the working of a film. However after a brief interaction over email and then phone he found himself a producer. Manish flew down to Mumbai, met him and signed up as the producer of Ankhon Dekhi before flying back leaving him to make the film the way he wanted. “He returned when the film was ready and fortunately liked it a lot. Now, Manish is so gung-ho about the medium that he plans to make at least one film a year,” said a delighted Rajat.
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Bachchans are together!
Of late the media has been abuzz with rumours that Abhishek Bachchan and his wife Aishwarya have moved out of their family home with their little daughter Aaraadhya. However, these rumours have left Bachchan family amused, annoyed and exasperated.
A close friend of the family says, “We aren’t sure where this rumour started. Or whether some mischievous rumour-mongers decided to club rumours of Hrithik Roshan leaving his parents’ home with some more masala on Abhishek doing the same. Two scandals at the price of one, ha ha. But seriously, there is no truth to these rumours. Abhishek is very much at home in Jalsa where he belongs.” The family friend further adds that there is no lack of space and privacy for Abhishek and Aishwarya in the Bachchan family. “The couple has its own separate flank in the bungalow. They go and come home as they wish. Jaya Ji is the least interfering mother-in-law. Aaraadhya keeps moving around the entire home from his parents to grand-parents as and how she wishes. There’s no restriction of any kind in the home.” A very close of friend of Abhishek adds, “Abhishek can buy property all over Mumbai or in Timbuktu. But that doesn’t mean he is moving out of Jalsa. He will never leave his parents’ home. When he was engaged to Karisma Kapoor many years ago he broke it only because Karisma and her mother demanded that the couple would live away from the parents’ home after marriage. Abhishek’s home address is non-negotiable.”
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Substance please!
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who will be seen in Salman Khan starrer Kick, says he is not doing a blink-and-you-miss-it role in the film.
Earlier, Nawazuddin appeared in commercial films like Sarfarosh, Talaash and others. Now, he will be seen in the mass entertainer Kick. "It is not that I will do a blink-and-you-miss-it role in a big commercial film of A-list actors. The story (of Kick) is good, hence I agreed to do it. The story is superb. The script inspired me to do the film," Nawazuddin said in an interview. "I am not against all commercial films, I am against illogical films. All commercial films are not illogical. Like 3 Idiots was a commercial film and had a very good story," he said. With the image of Salman and the kind of films he does, the entire focus is on him than other actors. But, Nawazuddin does not feel so. "The character that I have been offered is really good, it has logic to whatever he does. As an actor I must explore myself in every genre," he said. There is buzz that he is playing a negative role. When asked about it, Nawazuddin, who is yet to start shooting for the film, declined to reveal anything. But, the actor expressed that he would continue doing supporting roles in films that have established actors and do lead roles in relatively newer director's film. "I try to balance things this way. For me the character and story inspire me to do a film. If I connect with it then I do it, that is my criteria to do a film. I don't think about the result of the film and the length of the role," Nawazuddin
said. — PTI
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A role that matters
What prompted you to take up Niyati's role? I have played different characters in the shows Aise Karo Naa Vida, Babul Ka Aangan Chhootey Naa, Uttran, Rakhi-Ek Atoot Rishta, Saat Phere and Veera. However, I was looking for a good role that could explore my creative potential, which is why I accepted the role of Niyati, which was offered to me by Dheeraj Kumar. How is viewer's response to your role? I am grateful to the viewers, who have appreciated my work. I am getting a good response for all the episodes that have already been aired on the television. How is your rapport with your co-stars? I share a very good rapport with my co-stars. We all respect each other and there is a good environment on the sets. This keeps me motivated. What determines an actor's success? I think that one's skill to act, positive attitude, and screen presence makes an artist a hit! What have you learnt while playing the role of Niyati? I have learnt a lot. Now after playing Niyati, I am known as a multi-faceted actor in the telly circles. As an actor, what tips can you give to the new comers? One needs to be very careful when they are on camera because it tends to capture every little bit. It showcases the mood that one is in also. Where do you see yourself five years from now? I will continue to do shows with good story line. Are you ambitious? Yes, I am very ambitious but that does not mean that I will run after things. — Dharam Pal
It’s all about the right attitude
Siddharth Kumar Tewary's show, Mahabharat is a hugely popular show on television now. The series is being aired after 24 years of the first rendition of the epic and has made its own unique space in the minds of the viewers as it's a different interpretation and not a remake of the old version. The new character in the show, going high on the popularity chart, is Dhrishtadyumna, which is played by actor Karan Suchak, whom we have seen in several shows, including Ek Hazaron Mein Meri Behna Hai, Na Bole Tum Na Mein Kuch Kaha and Savitri. He says, “This is my first mythological character and when I was offered the role I wholeheartedly accepted it because the character of Dhrishtadyumna is a role of a great warrior in Mahabharat.” He adds, “After my entry scene in Mahabharat, I must have received 250 messages. They congratulated on my entry scene as I also wrote in my social networking forums.”
Wild & beautiful
Stories of children raised by animals have fascinated us for many centuries; Mowgli from The Jungle Book, the myth of Romulus and Remus, and even Tarzan. Do wild children, who have been reported to be brought up by untamed animals, actually exist? Or are they merely folklores or elaborate hoaxes? On Animal Planet's new show, Raised Wild, discover the shocking phenomenon of real life feral children, who have actually been bred by undomesticated animals. Join anthropologist, Mary-Ann Ochota, as she sets off on the trails of these extraordinary youths to uncover the actuality of their existence and unravel their remarkable stories. Raised Wild premieres on Sunday, January 26 at 7 pm. The episodes will repeat the following Sunday, February 2 at 11am.
Wait and watch
Following the stupendous success of the first and second season of Dance India Dance Li’l Masters, Zee TV is now back with a third instalment of the spectacular show. DID L’il Masters aims to open doors for talented children, from across the country, who want to show off their moves and grooves! With overwhelming response at the auditions from genuinely gifted children from different parts of the country and awe-inspiring dance acts by the little powerhouses of talent week after week. The show aims to select the best dancing talent the nation. The winners will then head towards a series of grooming sessions for the ultimate competition in Mumbai and then finally the very best from amongst them will be crowned as India’s best child dancing sensation. Jeetumoni, the winner of the first season, did not only bag the coveted prize of Golden Super Wings, but was also flooded with offers to perform and showcase his dance skills, both within the country and globally too. Meanwhile, Faisal Khan, the winner of season two was appreciated for his dancing abilities and he has now bagged a show as well. DID Li’l Masters features only the country’s best child dancers vying for the ultimate recognition – The Golden Super Wings. If you thought season one and two were terrific, just wait till you see the latest edition of the show!
Sandhya learns cycling
After shooting for over 12 to 14 hours, actors tend to resign to boredom, but Deepika Singh aka Sandhya of Star plus’ Diya aur Baati Hum, has figured out a new way to cope up with this boredom. During the outdoor shoot of the show, Deepika was seen learning how to ride a bicycle and she was enjoying it as well. To get into the skin of the character, Deepika is undergoing a rigorous training, but while shooting in beautiful locales of Haryana, she takes to riding a bicycle. , Deepika says, “I had never ridden a cycle before in my real life, but I always wanted to learn it.
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Astro turf
ARIES: You can achieve quite a lot once you get going. Never trust a stranger. Socially, you
may have some problems with a loved one. However, it would not be too serious.
Tarot message: Be creative to retain your grip over your business. Lucky colour: Fuchsia Lucky number: 60 TAURUS: Work will progress smoothly. You will be in the mood to socialise and widening your social circle. Your hectic schedule may leave you feeling tired. An Aquarius person is attracted to you. Tarot message: Arrogance and pride will not be rewarded. Lucky colour: Violet Lucky number: 27 GEMINI: Be extra careful while signing any paperwork as there could be more to the situation than meets the eye. Socialising will keep you busy. There could be new career opportunities due to your past efforts. Tarot message: Do not try to end all the deadlocks at one go. Lucky colour: Metallic grey Lucky number: 39 CANCER: Health and physical energy is good, but you need to take frequent breaks and watch out your diet and fitness routine. Travel plans for business or pleasure are possible. Tarot message: Delays are the only obstacle in your way to success. Lucky colour: Deep red Lucky number: 40 LEO: If there are important meetings today, you need to be focused and prepared, as seniors and business associates will take note of your ability to handle last minute changes. Your love life will be good. Tarot message: Act righteously and do your duties in time. Lucky colour: Navy blue Lucky number: 61 VIRGO: You may be unable to make up your mind about an important decision. Don't hesitate to discuss things with close associates. Tarot message: Avoid confrontation and making personal remarks as they can be taken seriously. Lucky colour: White Lucky number:
37
LIBRA: You feel exhausted and decide to take time off from hectic schedule. Spending time with loved ones will be a priority. Issues about money matters
may be on your mind. Tarot message: You are advised to focus on professional changes. Lucky colour: Peach Lucky number: 31 SCORPIO: You could be in a tense and restless mood and may feel agitated about certain matters concerning your career or personal life. Don't give in to uncertainties as this is a just a temporary phase. Tarot message: Do not delegate your tasks to anyone, do it yourself. Lucky colour: Saffron Lucky number: 29 SAGITTARIUS: Focus on health, diet and exercise. Business can be carried out successfully. Drive carefully. A raise in interest can hit your bank balance hard. A family matter can be sorted out satisfactory. Tarot message: You need to act for yourself and for no one else. Lucky colour: Lotus Pink Lucky number: 65 CAPRICORN: Avoid a Scorpio, who will drag you down with cautious advice. You will learn
from practical experience. Music and dip in the arts are uplifting. Tarot message: Allow a sick situation blow over before
starting new. Lucky colour: Yellow Lucky number: 27 AQUARIUS: Don't ramp on over sensitive corns. Let today's influences bounce up your optimism. You deserve a break. There is a good deal of success coming your way very soon so all you have to do is travel hopefully. Tarot message: Plan your life to avoid delays. Lucky colour: Silver grey. Lucky number: 42 PISCES: Your anger will tend to be either switched on or switched off. Just proceed slowly and cautiously, double-check everything. Don't let feelings of inadequacy hold you back. Yoga & swimming are great fitness routine for you. Tarot message: Avoid gossip sessions. Lucky colour: Brown. Lucky number: 63
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Twice the joy
Amarjot Kaur
As Prabhjot Kang talks about his pets, he traces their journey from the moment he met them first, "Rosa was gifted to me by my maternal aunt in 2010 and I bought Shadow about three months ago. I have literally brought these two darlings up and I must mention that they are a little spoilt with all the luxuries at their disposal," he says. "Rosa was only about 25 days old when she was brought home. She was given a pillow and plonked right next to me in my bed with an exclusive blanket! Also she has been fed the finest food in all these four years." As for his second pet, Prabhjot says, "Shadow is the second most pampered living being in our house." Good times
"The best part about Rosa is that she is extremely obedient, however, she can be a little ferocious at times. Shadow is pretty naughty. The two major damages that she has done are eating my shoes and tearing my mom's fancy shawls. We have not reprimanded her yet though. I wonder how my parents have reacted to all this, had the accused been me! I believe what works in Shadow's favour is the fact that she is still too young," he shares. While talking about Rosa, who Prabhjot is evidently more fond of by virtue of his association with her for four years now, he says, "Rosa is friendly, but she will not let anyone touch her on her head, except the immediate family, which is us, especially my mom, who she loves so dearly. She did get very annoyed and insecure when we got Shadow, whose friendly attempts were subjected to a royal ignore. Shadow was perhaps too young to realise that she was being ignored, until they were made to share the same bed." However, when Shadow and Rosa started sleeping together they bonded really well. "Rosa and Shadow keep playing with each other now; they resolve their small issues with minor tiffs. While Rosa sniffs people and goes back to her personal space, Shadow likes to cuddle and play with the guests," he adds. Yours faithfully
"I remember this one time when a ferocious male cat invaded my house. At first Rosa barked us out of sleep and then pointed at the kitchen. Just when my father made an advance towards the cat, it got ferocious and that was the time when Rosa let loose all her fury on the cat. She grinned and retired to her bed, knowing very little about the brave act," he says.
amarjot@tribunemail.com
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The year ahead
If your birthday is January 21...
Grasp every opportunity. You'll receive an interesting offer from your loved one and this will lead to complicity and emotional harmony. Dealing with service people could be a breeze this year. You'll find that you have the intellectual drive needed to ask them just the right questions. Relationships may have to be nurtured. Those, who are close to you, could feel left out. You may consider going on a trip to a distant location, which has always fascinated you perhaps because someone you know has tendered an invitation and you can't really see how to decline. You get started on something bold and new in April-so bold and new that it should take the competition totally by surprise! Positive colours: Yellow, cream, sea green Select days: Thursday and Tuesday Favourable numbers: 3, 6 and 9 Gems recommended: Yellow Sapphire, red coral, and quartz Charity on birthday: Donate saffron coloured edible items to the needy or at a religious place/langar/community kitchen today.
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Congratulations & celebrations
Raageshwari Loomba, an Indian pop singer, television anchor, yoga expert, former VJ of Channel V and MTV and motivational guru will enter into wedlock to a London based international law barrister Sudhanshu Swaroop on January 27 in Mumbai.
She said, "I was happily single till December 2012, when my parents and common friends introduced me to this gentle-hearted man. When I insisted on communicating only through e-mails, he kindly obliged. It was awe-inspiring to learn about his work in Afghanistan, Darfur, Syria and the UN." "It's incredible to see the people around us so happy. I guess they were tired of seeing us single. It's our first time in holy matrimony and we look at each other and affirm, 'Now I know why I waited for so long'," she
added.
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As trends change and your landscape becomes overgrown, consider giving them a fresh look by sprucing things up with a landscape makeover. This will easily improve the overall appearance of your home and make your outdoor living space a more inviting place.
Draw a plan for your garden or get one made from a professional landscape designer.
For key spots in your garden and landscape, look for plants that offer unique texture or shape. Once you have those in place, select a nice mix of supporting plant material for the remaining space.
The ball position has a huge influence on impact and the ball flight. A small change in the position of the ball in relation to the stance can alter the direction and trajectory of the shot. The desired ball position can vary for player to player as it depends on many factors. In the old days the ball position varied with the length of the club.
Just as the full scalp hair is regarded as a sign of vigour, so does the colour of the hair. Visible grey hair is regarded as a sign of ageing or 'loss of youth' in an era where everyone is striving to remain 'forever young'. Today's high levels of stress and fast lifestyles are causing rapid greying of the hair, even in youngsters in their twenties. Therefore, the desire to delay grey hair is paramount and so is the search for the means to retain natural hair colour, along with hair health.
The awards season is here and one actress you would be missing at all the awards functions is Sonam Kapoor. Even though she is nominated for her career-turning performance in Aanand Rai’s Raanjhanaa, Sonam would have to give the awards functions a miss. She explains the reason…
In the longest running family drama show, Niyati that is telecast on Sahara One, the list of qualities that women seem to like about Niyati's character, played by Aastha Chaudhary are that she is simple, family-oriented, and honest. Born in Alwar (Rajasthan), Aastha is currently playing the role of an IPS officer in the show. She has rocked the television industry by performing various characters. We talk to this social and very simple actor about show and more…
One is more often than not intrigued by the capacity of a human heart to seek comfort in almost anything that has life; perhaps the reason that makes a dog a man's best friend! Rosa is a Labrador and Shadow is an Alsatian; they are both in love with the Kangs at their house in Sector 35, Chandigarh. Reason: the pets are pampered to a degree beyond expression.
Kim Michelle Sharma (January 21, 1980, Ahmednagar) is the brand ambassador of Olay in India. Sharma caught the eye of producer Aditya Chopra and he signed in his directorial venture titled Mohabbatein. It was a huge hit and started Kim's career in Bollywood.