Strength of spirit
Shubhpreet Kaur Ghumman lost a leg, but not her willingness to fight. Today, she is an able dancer
Manpriya Singh

GOING STRONG: Shubhpreet Kaur Ghumman Photo: Pradeep Tewari Power in the hands is not even a match to the spirit in the heart! If it weren’t for the unparalleled strength, nobody could last through the unfortunate turn of events. A sudden accident, a medical negligence, coma, an amputated leg…for one-legged dancing wonder Shubhpreet Kaur Ghumman, it’s been a life well earned where nothing else has any credit to share, save for her mother. “My mother has been the source of my strength...even while I was on bed and there was no treatment available, I never thought anything will happen to me. I have always tried to battle it all by laughing and smiling. One can cruise through anything in life with a positive attitude,” she shares, her journey leading up to being the first runner-up of India’s Got Talent.

At Orane Institute of Beauty and Wellness, the celebrity contestant is just back from the reality show and life has again taken a sudden turn. “It has changed completely. Earlier nobody knew me but now nobody ignores me. Most importantly, earlier friends and family wouldn’t believe when I told them that I wanted to dance. They’d be scared or concerned for me, but now that has changed.

Following a dream

The distant relatives are warming up and congratulatory messages still pouring in. The unfortunate details of the past, though still alive, don’t matter much. There is a life ahead. “I want to open a dance school for people like me who cannot afford these expensive dance schools.” There is a world of opportunities that lies ahead, courtesy not just her talent but grit…motivational speaker or a biography, perhaps? “Along with dance lessons, I’d also like to give motivational speeches. As for the book, I want a considerable part of my life to have happened before I start one,” shares the girl from Sangrur.

Even though Kirron Kher remains her favourite judge, the best compliment came from Karan Johar. “I was quite touched by the compliment that came my way from him. He said the strength that you mother and daughter have, no man can ever have.” She adds, “Kirron Kher is a Punjabi too and so we really bonded well. She always gave her comments in Punjabi and that felt nice at a place far away from home.”

Bollywood and Punjabi cinema somewhere figure in the list too. “Very soon, you’ll see me in a Bollywood film.” Love for dancing goes back to the childhood when she’d, “dance in front of the mirror instead of watch television like other children.” She adds, “Apart from the item songs, I also danced on some contemporary numbers. I also like belly dancing and hip-hop.”

The dream role would be opposite Salman Khan, meeting whom was itself an experience. “It was such a great feeling to be speaking to him and interacting with him…next time if I meet him, I shall let him know of what I want.” She adds, “But I would really like to play a character that’s inspiring.” Well, she already has and it’s only the beginning. A beginning that deserves a huge round of applause!

manpriya@tribunemail.com

A whole lot of spice
Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna believes the key to good cooking lies in the correct use of spices
Ashima Batish

WRITE cook:  Vikas Khanna His name is enough garnishing to make a regular cookbook sell like hotcakes. The least that is required is an eclectic mix of easy and complex recipes, rest the author’s credits, Vikas Khanna, the celebrity chef of India will take care of! Not that Vikas doubts his popularity in the country that boasts of multiple cuisines, but he wanted his latest literary initiative to be much more than a list of quick-fix fancy recipes. “Thus I brought in stories about the recipes - the culture they originated from, their time-zone, history and if they play a role in any celebration. I gave my touch to the recipes and book, rather than just my name,” says Vikas, who was on a fleeting visit to Amritsar. Paying obeisance at the Golden Temple is a practice he has stuck to since he started writing books or helming important projects and for Bliss of Spices, he followed it.

From a chef, which has the very important celebrity prefixed to it, he has come a long way on the small screen as well. Vikas is judging a reality show, Your Wish Is My App, an initiative by Nokia, wherein contestants bring in interesting apps. “People get influenced by the present. If last year, majority of the contestants came up with apps addressing women security issues post the Delhi rape case incident, this year it is all about social apps.” A certain after-effect of Whats App and Viber’s popularity around the world! While tossing applications by contestants, he came across a few that impressed. “Like an app that facilitates introvert people to become socially active; plus it’s an app that also addresses fashion queries.” For example, all one has to do is click a picture of an outfit, post it on the app and seek friends’ reviews. At the same time, it will show the availability of the outfit on various online stores and conduct price comparison. One can even place the order at the same time. Too much on an app! Another favourite of his is an app that helps you find your phone. “Each time you forget about where you kept the phone last, it will tell you - ‘Here I am’ or answer in a ‘Boo boo’.”

Coming back to his book; as the name suggests, it is about the use of spices and their role in recipes, an idea he conceived when he visited the spice farms in Goa. “Till then, I had only known the dried form of spices, be it cinnamon, black pepper or cardamom, but there I realised how they look in their initial stages. We forget that all seeds were once flowers.” While Indians, he says, realised the importance of spices much later, it was the foreigners who valued them. He quips, “Only when the British started importing our spices did we take an offence. Before that, we all took them for granted.”

But now, he believes, India is changing; the country is doing what America did 25 years back -celebrating food and different cuisines. “No wonder, every leading food joint aspires to open up a few outlets in India.” In between the coming in of international food chains and opening up of a string of local fast food chain, spices, he says, should be celebrated every now and then. That is what his grandmother taught him years back and that is where his book ends - with the sentimental line, “Who taught me the power of food, also taught the love of cooking and process of nurturing and also the bliss of spices.”

ashima@tribunemail.com

A friend in knee-d!
Dr Manuj Wadhwa is in the Limca Book Of Records for conducting 331 joint replacement surgeries in a month. His enthusiasm shows no sign of fading
Jasmine Singh

SURGEON SPECIAL: Dr Manuj Wadhwa Two minutes short of 12 o' clock and the man sitting in front of us, donning a calm smile, has already completed 12 knee replacement surgeries! He still has 11 more to go for the day! This is a pretty regular routine for Dr Manuj Wadhwa, Director and Head, Institute of Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement, Max Hospitals UNR - Mohali, Bathinda and Dehradun. Dr Wadhwa doesn't show any sign of lethargy though; in fact he looks as fresh as a dew drop.

For a doctor who is in the Limca Book Of Records for conducting 331 joint replacement surgeries in a month, the word surgery has different connotations — it means hope, it means trust, it means a duty and it means an act done in all honesty. "When I come out of the operation theatre, seeing tears of joy and later blessings the patients' family members shower on me are a great high. This is probably what keeps me going tirelessly," shares Dr Manuj, the celebrated orthopaedic surgeon of the region who decided to give up his high flying practice in the US to serve in India. "I come from Amritsar; I have studied in India, so when the time to serve my hometown, my people, came, I decided to come back," he says.

For Dr Manuj, operating is, in fact, the last stage. "I organise sessions wherein I tell people the problem and how it can be controlled. My team and I personally monitor the patient much after the operation. We call them up to check how they are progressing and what they would want us to work more on," adds the doctor honoured with "Man of the Year" award by American Biographical Institute, USA, "Rashtriya Rattan Award" and the premier "Rajiv Gandhi Shiromani Award". His name also finds mention in "Contemporary World Who's Who" list.

It is this looking beyond the 'OT' that makes Dr Manuj so popular with his patients and staff. A hug from a relative, a huge smile from the patient who is jumping with joy, a word of thanks from his assistant to whom he has given ample space to grow…is a routine outside his office. Do we see his family seeing all this? He smiles, "My wife is a gynaecologist in the same hospital and she totally understands my work." Two vacations a year, a regular session at the gym and Dr Manuj is back to where he belongs, his practice that he takes to the next level more often than not. Starting from prevention through early diagnosis and intervention, surgical intervention to rehabilitation, the Max Hospital provides a complete solution to people suffering from a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. "In Punjab, I see high growth in knee replacement surgeries, followed by Himachal and Haryana. And then there are baby bloomers, the term I coined for women in the age group of 40-51 who are facing this problem. Now, to take care of this, we not only need best of surgeons, but also the latest technology. Then there are other factors like making the surgery economical, knee instrumentation and providing equipment customised to the shapes as well as sizes of people in a particular region," adds the doctor, who will soon start digital integration in the OT - the one-of-its-kind, state-of-the-art-technology-driven procedure that assists in conducting a better surgery."

Dr Manuj has definitely given a new meaning to the word surgery. And he is not going to stop at only 21 operations a day. "These are not numbers; it is the number of people who have blessed me in a day." And the money, we slowly push the ball towards him. He understands what we want to know, a high-flying surgeon working in a corporate set-up! It makes him laugh. "Money is a by-product; there is no compromise on my work ethics. Money can never be a driving force. I do subsidised operations in my home town. I count my blessings," he sips his cold coffee, getting ready for the next round of surgeries. This time it is Kareena Kapoor's Fevicol Se that would be played at the OT. "Post lunch, a peppy number elevates energy," says the doctor.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

CELEB POINT
Moments with the endearing man!
Divya Dutta

I was happy to know I was going to play one of the leads in Khushwant Singh's Train to Pakistan. Playing the child woman was a beautiful experience and so was the journey beyond this film...of knowing the man behind this novel, Khushwant Singh!

The first time I interacted with him was when we went to Punjab for a special screening of Train to Pakistan. Those two days, I really got to spend time with Khushwant Singh. His wit, his knowledge, his guidance and his love for food, and him discussing stories with my mother, I totally enjoyed every moment being with him. He gifted me Japjee saheb with a note I still cherish...

My next meeting was when I went to meet him at his place in Delhi. The newcomer in me was very thrilled to get the honor if being invited by him and his wife for dinner but was specifically instructed to be there at sharp 7pm. That wasn't a problem as I am obsessively punctual. I reached his house and what amazed me was this plate on the door which read, 'Only ring the bell if you are expected.' I was amused but felt confident to ring the bell as I was expected. I was ushered into the living room where he sat with his wife sipping his scotch. He asked me if I'd like a drink and then chatted with me, narrating most interesting anecdotes and of course his life and writings. At 7.30 sharp dinner was served. Yummy, awesome food and I nibbled. As I was too busy listening to him. At 8 sharp, he got up and said he was off to sleep and I was most welcome to sit and chat with the rest of them. I was amazed again. But I was told he's always been very particular about his timings. My eve was anyways made spending quality time with the witty man!

Off and on I kept in touch with him on the phone. There too he had set timings. He wrote a few write-ups for me too which he informed me about.

A year back I just felt like meeting him and called his residence and spoke to his son. He told Khushwantji that I wanted to meet. He wasn't meeting too many people those days so I was wondering if I'd get to meet him but I was conveyed to drop in at 7 sharp. This time I was prepared. I rang the bell at the door which had the same note, 'Ring the bell if you are expected.' It was so nice to see him after so many years. He looked very week but his zest and wit were intact. Yes, he had a glass of scotch and offered it to me and a publisher friend who was also visiting. He had difficulty in hearing so he pulled me up and said why are you so soft spoken? We spoke about life and about the book I am writing. I took his advice and guidance. And yes, at 8, we were out as the endearing man went to sleep... He's gone to sleep forever now. peacefully as if he knew… just lay down to rest and went in his sleep. He brings me a tear and a smile. Sad that I couldn't meet him again. Smile to remember the beautiful life he led. On his terms, totally. He spoke his mind, wrote his feelings and lived life the way he wanted to! An era ends with him. RIP Khushwant Singh. It's was an honor and a pleasure to know you.

(Dutta is a Bollywood actress)

Par Excellence
Swing it right
Jesse Grewal

The concept of making shaped shots has changed in the recent times with the advent of machines like the Trackman. Earlier, it was recommended to align to the intended starting direction and open or shut the club face to point at the target or where one wanted the ball to finish. Therefore for a hook (for a right handed golfer) one had to align the body to the right of the target and shut the club face so that it was pointing to the target. The opposite was recommended for a slice. The 'old' ball flight laws stated that the ball started in the direction of the path of the club which was dictated by the alignment of the body and the swing plane and the curvature of the ball flight was created by the position of the club face—closed face for a hook and open for a slice.

This concept has changed and the 'new' ball flight laws give more importance to the position of the club face in relation to the path for the ball to curve. Therefore, to create a draw or a hook, the path needs to be in to out with relation to the target line and even when the club face is square to the target line the ball will hook as the club face is shut in relation to the path. This is similar to the way a tennis player creates a top spin. The stroke starts from inside to out creating a right to left spin. The face of the racket always points at the target. For a slice the path or swing needs to be out to in and the club face will be open to the path despite being square to the target line. This is similar to the chop shot in tennis which is an out to in stroke.

So, if one has to hit a hook around a tree one has to align slightly to the right with the body and the face of the club and swing in to out which will create the hook. Do not keep the club face closed as this would make the ball go straight into the tree. In the case of a slice aim the clubface and align the body slightly left of the tree and pick up the club outwards on the back swing and swing from out to in. This out to in path with the clubface open to the path will make the ball slice.

Therefore, to create a hook it is important to swing in to out and for a slice out to in. One can keep the club face relatively square to the target line and will be swinging across the target line, either in to out or out to in.

(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)

Hair’s some solution

Beautiful and healthy hair is considered as one of the biggest assets for Indian women. But, in today's busy lifestyle, hair related issues are common concerns among women. The hair, its look and feel, how one manages to fix it and the way one wears it, is all a part of one's image.

Usually women during their middle-age suffer from greying hair and they often do not know who to confide in and how to deal with this hair issue.

Identifying such gaps, Livon Conditioning Cream Colour has launched a toll-free helpline for women who can talk to experts about their hair problems without any hesitation. Livon aims to provide its callers with credible solutions and guidance for their hair colouring and other hair related issues through its team of friendly and well trained women associates.

While pampering your tresses with beautiful hair colour can be very liberating women always have some worries connected with it. Hair damage with hair colouring, losing moisture, hair fall, choosing a perfect hair colour as per skin tone, etc. are some common concerns on the list which this helpline aims to answer.

Keeping these apprehensions in mind, the premium Livon Conditioning Cream Colour, colours your hair as it conditions without any ammonia leaving the hair beautiful, shiny and soft. So now, reveal your best and live stress-free. — TNS

star track
Vidya is not pregnant

For everybody who thought they would get a break from Vidya Balan, they will have to wait longer. The actress is not pregnant and has allotted dates to Vishesh Films for Hamari Adhoori Kahaani. She is on a break till the beginning of April.

Back Vidya Balan opted out of Sujoy Ghosh's film last week, but she is definitely not in the mood to quit Mohit Suri's love triangle Hamari Adhuri Kahani. After a holiday in the US with husband Siddharth Roy Kapur, the actress returned to Mumbai on Tuesday and immediately had a long chat with the film's head honcho Mahesh Bhatt.

Not pregnant

With the pregnancy rumours squashed, Vidya will continue with her break with a trip to Sydney for a film festival, before moving on to Delhi to accept the Padma Shri. She'll be back in the city on April 3 and will meet Mahesh again to discuss the details of the film.

According to a close friend, during her break, Vidya will catch up on her reading, learn to cook and work out. She will continue to do commercials and has just finished dubbing for one and signed up for a big endorsement deal which might require her to travel abroad for a few days. She will also renovate her home a little and she has hardly been at home since her marriage.

Shooting schedule

Portions of Hamari Adhuri Kahani will be filmed in the Middle-East and one cannot shoot there throughout the year. Also, Emraan Hashmi's son Ayan is still undergoing treatment and the film won't start till he completes Vikram's (Bhatt) Mr X. He won't shoot for more than one film.

Vikrant Massey in Zoya’s next?

Actor Vikrant Massey, who charmed aficionados as Devdas in Lootera, is all set to return to the silver screen. According to the grapevine, Vikrant has been signed on by Zoya Akhtar for her next film Dil Dhadakne Do starring Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma in the lead.

Vikrant, who is extremely popular on small screen, will be seen essaying an important role in the movie although sources say that details regarding the nature of his role have not been sketched out yet. For Vikrant, this will be a second outing with Ranveer Singh after Lootera. It is believed that the actor is now focusing on his film career after quitting popular soap Qubool Hai. It is believed that the movie will go on floors from May this year. Despite repeated attempts, Vikrant remained unavailable for comment.

Height of problem!

Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Rajj Kundra have an apartment on the 90th floor of the Burj Khalifa. They are planning to sell it off because it is on a very high floor. They want their son to spend more time outdoors.

Birthday boy

Emraan Hashmi turned 35 on March 24. He is shooting for Mr. X and will move on to Shaatir later this year. He brought in his birthday with a small, low-key celebration.

Mugdha two-timing?

Mugdha Godse will be seen in the latest season of Khatron Ke Khiladi and she has been linked with two men lately, Rahul Dev who is a widower and Ranvir Shorey, a married man. Let's see how this goes.

Split wide open

Saahil Prem from Ragini MMS 2 has split up with his girlfriend Amrita Maghera who is a well-known model turned actress. His proximity to co-star Sandhya Mridul has not gone down well with her either.

No interest in history

Both Katrina Kaif and Deepika Padukone have turned down Ashutosh Gowariker's next film which is a historical about the Indus Valley Civilization titled Mohen-jo-daro.

Lady killer

Here is a picture of teenaged Aryan Khan, son of Shah Rukh Khan being quite the lady's man in England as he is being kissed on the cheek by two pretty girls. This picture was posted on Twitter by a girl named Zainab Abdullahi.

Starting point

Nawazuddin Siddique: Few people would remember the lanky criminal informer in Sarfarosh alongside Aamir Khan. That was Nawazuddin Siddique. He followed it up with bit roles in Munnabhai MBBS and New York and now he is a household name.

Irrfan Khan: Irrfan Khan's debut film was the Oscar nominated Salaam Bombay directed by Mira Nair. He played a letter writer in the movie way back in 1988. He got attention through Asif Kapadia's The Warrior in 2001. 

Shahid Kapoor: Shahid was a dancer with Shiamak Davar, so he was the boy who put the dupatta over Aishwarya Rai's head in Kahin aag lag jaave in Taal. A few years later, he made his debut in Ishk Vishq and become a sensation and the rest is history.

Mallika Sherawat: She made an infamous splash with her kiss fest in Khwaish but she had a tiny role as Kareena Kapoor's friend in Jeena Sirf Mere Liye. It was Murder that put her on the map of Bollywood. She may not be a big actress today but at least she tried.

Boman Irani: In 2001, in Rahul Bose's wacky Everybody Says I'm Fine, Boman Irani played a character, who did not even have a first name. After that he has taken on many memorable roles.

Mahabharata on celluloid

Indian mythology has an amazing wealth of stories which have inspired our creative minds across various disciplines over the centuries; from literature to theatre to television. Of all the Indian epic stories, unarguably the most ambitious and all-encompassing is The Mahabharata.

However, what no one has ever attempted to do, probably because of the sheer scale and ambition of such a venture, is a true-blue rendition of The Mahabharata on the silver screen. Well, that is about to change. Disney India's studio business is gearing up to recreate the magic of the greatest ever epic from Indian mythology on the big screen, at a scale never seen before in Indian cinema. On hand to direct this live action movie will be Abhishek Kapoor and script-writing by Ashok Banker.

"At the heart of everything we do at Disney is the aim of telling great stories and creating memorable experiences that transcend generations. The Mahabharata is the epitome of such an ambition in the Indian context and as we all know, this epic has a deep emotional connection with every Indian. We intend to tell the story in a manner it deserves to be told on screen, and are thrilled to have the incredibly talented Abhishek Kapoor at the helm, with one of the most knowledgeable and talented writers on the subject, Ashok Banker scripting it" added Siddharth Roy Kapur, managing director, Disney India.

"Mahabharata expresses the universal truth; it has defined my understanding of spirituality and of all humanity. I aim to translate this onto the big screen, engage minds and deliver a world class cinematic experience," added the director of the film Abhishek Kapoor.

The film will go into pre-production, post the completion of Abhishek Kapoor's next venture with the studio, Fitoor.

chatter box
On a historical note

Actress Pooja Sharma, who plays Draupadi in Siddarth Kumar Tewary's Mahabharat, speaks about her life, career and much more.

How will you define your experience in Mahabharat so far?

The journey of Mahabharat has been very beautiful. I have to feel in love with a character to enact it. It is also a very vital role.

Who is your favourite co-star and why?

I really can't give one name, I enjoy being with everyone on the set. All are great co-stars and I am very lucky to be part of this show. It's fun being on the sets of Mahabharat.

You have shared many scenes with Saurabh Raaj Jain, who plays Krishna. How will you define Saurabh as your co-star?

Saurabh Raaj Jain is a phenomenal actor. He is very clear about his character and whatever he does. He takes his role very seriously. He is a very nice person to be with and I am very comfortable working with him. We both share a friendly rapport off screen.

Are you from a modelling background?

Yes. Apart from modelling, I have also done anchoring and daily advertisements.

Does your family support you?

My family always supported me when it came to acting and seeing me on screen. My brother is very critical of my work, whereas my mom and sister-in-law love my work.

Calming effect

Actor Himanshu Soni, who is seen as the young Prince Siddhartha in Buddha—Rajaon Ka Raja on Zee TV, says that the character has helped him calm down, as he is used to be short-tempered. 

No pain, no gain

Siddharth Kumar Tewary's Mahabharat is going through a high point. The audience is getting to see fights between Bheem and Jarasandha, being played by Saurav Singh Gurjar and Tinu Verma, respectively.

During the fight sequence between the two of them, Saurav aka Bheem shouted a lot as required for the scenes. And at the end of the shoot, Saurav realised that he had lost his voice and was not being able to talk properly."The fights between Jarasandha and Bheem are very intense and I needed to show my aggression through my voice. I put a lot of effort in that and the end result was that I lost my voice! On the sets I am calling everyone with my hands and gestures."

Action  zone

Actress Iris Maity has been seen in two Bollywood movies, Soch Lo and Tutiya Dil, before taking up the television show Hum Ne Li Hai…Shapath on Life OK. While actors generally move from television to films, we wonder what made the actor take the other route. She avers, "When I was offered Shapath, I took it up because there is an excitement about the new stories every week and the content does not stretch for ages. Also, there is a lot of action involved, which I love doing."

Shifting spotlight

With the re-entry of actor Vivian Dsena in Madhubala, the spotlight has shifted from Gunjan Utreja to him. Obviously, Gunjan will have less air time now. However, he says that he isn't feeling betrayed as he isn't the lead actor of the show. 

Time off

Actor Mohit Malik, who essays the unpredictable Samrat in Doli Armaanon Ki, has finally got some time for himself. He is currently on a vacation with his wife Aditi.

In two minds

Urmi (Neha Marda), the protagonist of Zee TV's Doli Armaanon Ki, has gotten back to her parents' place after going through quite a lot of insult at the hands of her husband Samrat (Mohit Malik). In the ongoing track, everybody in her family has been trying to persuade her to go back to Samrat. However, Trisha (Snigdha Shrivastava) stands as the sole support to Urmi, advising her not to go back. Her positive pregnancy reports will also force her to give a second thought.

Astro Turf
P. Khurrana

ARIES: Keep in mind that situations change and lucky breaks can be just around the corner. Try to increase your knowledge in new areas. Health will need more care in the evening. Tarot message: Lack of confidence or caution can leave you in losses. Lucky colour: Coffee. Magic number: 28.

TAURUS: Take criticism constructively and accept praise graciously. Make the most of this low-key day because there is plenty of work in store for morrow. Money problem is likely to come to the fore. Tarot message: Don't make hasty decisions. Lucky colour: Burgundy. Magic number: 61.

GEMINI: Go out of your way to hunt down quality produce, full of life and colour. Your chivalrous behaviour will be appreciated. Pack up your cares and have a good time. Tarot message: Don't waste an opportunity by being rash or impulsive. Lucky colour: Brown. Magic number: 33.

CANCER: Browse the newspaper and websites for that dream job because you can exactly find what you have been hoping for. Arguments at home are likely to erupt. Career women will be in the limelight. Tarot message: Learn from past experience. Lucky colour: Beige. Magic number: 28.

LEO: If you have been feeling house-bound, arrange an outing with your partner. Refuse any new assignments. Loved ones are unlikely to make a special demand upon you. Tarot message: Be articulate to prevent people from coming to their own conclusions. Lucky colour: Peach. Magic number: 65.

VIRGO: Show your love to close ones through practical action rather than empty promises. Be careful while signing agreements. Family members can require your assistance. It is not a day for new relationships. Tarot message: Try to accomplish long-term tasks. Lucky colour: Yellow. Magic number: 27.

LIBRA: If something is already on your calendar, postpone it for a later date. It is time to impress your boss. You will be feeling competent to deal with work that requires creativity. Tarot message: Don't do anything at the cost of health. Lucky colour: Green. Magic number: 39.

SCORPIO: You are in a cheerful mood today. Decisions can involve a journey overseas, committing to a formal course of education or joining a religious community. Older people: take care of your health. Tarot message: Make compromises outside and come to terms within yourself. Lucky colour: Red. Magic number: 25.

SAGITTARIUS: Women: you will have the money to shop to your heart's desire. However, think about the cost to the family budget next time you spend on entertainment or luxury items. You can plan a profitable business trip. Tarot message: Be confident. Lucky colour: Pink. Magic number: 44.

CAPRICORN: Household expenses seem to be pretty well covered now. Pleasurable indulgence can be eating into your domestic expenses. Ignore unpleasant gossip. Do not take an impulsive decision. Tarot message: Prevent trouble by taking timely action. Lucky colour: Black. Magic number: 55.

AQUARIUS: Investments in property are likely. A detailed accounting process lets you know what you can afford in the present situation. Do not neglect your health due to a busy schedule. Tarot message: Be positive and think carefully before taking action. Lucky colour: Purple. Magic number: 64.

PISCES: Make the day a really enjoyable one and forget about work. Some of you will have lost interest in career ambitions and feeling faded about future prospects. Tarot message: Do not swing away from the course you have charted so far. Lucky colour: Orange. Magic number: 46.

The year ahead
Madan Gupta Spatu

If your birthday is March 26...

Ruled by number 8 and the planet Saturn, you are assertive, cheerful, confident, authoritative and enthusiastic person. You can be emotional, but have a hard time expressing these emotions due to which there can be some difficulty in giving or receiving affection. Your monetary situation will improve. The jovial nature of family members will lighten up the atmosphere at home. Acknowledging you mistake at work will go in your favour, but you need to analyze how you can improve it. Remember everyone makes mistakes but only fools repeat them. Some of you will undertake a distant journey, which will be hectic but highly rewarding.

Positive colours: Black, Chocolate.

Select days: Sunday, Tuesday.

Favourable numbers: 1, 4, 8.

Gems recommended: Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald.

Charity on birthday: Donate copper utensils and green dresses to the needy or at any religious place today.

You share your birthday with Archana Puran Singh (March 26, 1962, Dehradun), who made her film debut in 1987 with the movie Jalwa opposite Naseeruddin Shah. She is married to television actor Parmeet Sethi. Comedy Circus is her famous show. She will be an evergreen judge due to her strong Mercury.





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