The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - The Tribune Lifestyle

	Eat to lose There are webpages dedicated to wonder pills that promise to make you slim and even glowing. But do they live up to those promises? Mona Only those who are fighting the battle of the bulge know how frustrating it is. And, then you see the pages of so-called 'miracle food' and 'holy grail of weight loss' pop up on the random webpage one surfs. One can't help but get tempted to try those when you see pictures of super-sculpted Katrina, Kareena or Duchess Catherine (Kate Middleton) show up along with their success rate. We do an exhaustive job to consult nutritionists to know better some wonder foods that are doing rounds on social media or are available on the counter. Garnicia combogia This fruit from Indonesia is really making waves among the weight-loss aspirants. Readily available over the counter in form of tablets, its extracts are part of the most green teas or weight loss pills. There are plenty of studies online hailing its slimming effects. "It's a great metabolic booster and works very efficiently in insulin resistant patients," says Dr Pallavi Jassal from Live Life More Diet & Wellness Clinic-46. But, only to be used under a doctor's or dietician's observation, she insists. Green coffee beans Black coffee is a staple in any athlete's diet. Now, it's green coffee beans that are making headway with a number of studies dedicated to them in medical journals. Apart from being rich antioxidant, green coffee beans are supposed to lead to thermo genesis (accelerating the fat burn process in the body) and considered specially effective if taken on empty stomach or before meals. Though you will come across their miraculous properties on many sites, mostly on online portals selling them, there is also one study that counters the claims saying that its ingredient leads to unhealthy build-up of fat in the liver. That, however, doesn't stop companies form selling them to desperate women and men eyeing an easy solution for weight loss. Dr Pallavi admits that they are pretty popular among those looking for quick results but warns, "One should take extra caution if you have any of conditions like clotting disorders, hypertension or hypothyroidism." Green tea Ask a TV actor and more often than not, you will find them naming green tea to be their 'secret' of looking fit. Now, this one has been there for sometime, and it doesn't look like that it's too difficult to decode. Sipping on warm water throughout the day, makes one not only feels full but also anti-oxidants fight the toxins to keep one looking young. Supposedly green tea boosts metabolism too. And, boy, there is a plenty to choose from-different brands and flavours that make the task of sipping cup after cup possible. Lemongrass Those who are ready to go an extra mile than popping pills, lemongrass is a favourite. Organically grown in rotation, its cut and consumed fresh for best results though you can get its extracts too. And, its benefits extend beyond just losing weight to general well being. The catch here, the benefits grow manifold if lemongrass is self grown sans any pesticides. Rich in vitamin C and B complex and also anti-oxidants, it supposedly boosts metabolism and promotes health. And, those who can't be bothered with growing the grass; wheatgerm extracts available in tablet form are readily available which to do the same job. Spirulina The latest to join the wonder drug bandwagon is spirulina. Kind of an algae, it's traced to be a food source for the Aztecs and Mesoamericans till 16th century; is gaining the approval of nutritionists in India now. This is touted to be the 'highest source of protein' on earth, keeping fat away and lending you healthy body and clear skin. The green colour pills are the 'to go' solutions looking for a thin body and healthy being. What's more, as compared to green coffee beans that you will get a bottle to roughly last a month costing around two thousand, spirulina is just for Rs 200 if you buy online! Nothing miraculous about it No food is a miracle food, clears Madhu Sharma, diet and nutrition consultant. No wonder drug can reduce fat sans any dietary or lifestyle modifications. Yes, the so-called weight loss wonders can play an additional factor, but healthy eating habits and set routine is a must," she insists. Dr Pallavi Jassal adds, "Any such supplements bought over the counter can cause more damage than help but yes under an experienced nutritionist they can fuel the fat burning. But we run a battery of tests before recommending them, for at times even the patients looking for a quick weight loss are not aware of the medical conditions that might have led to it and one needs to be extra cautious in such cases. mona@tribunemail.com
	Sizzling away Plum Asian Bistro has rolled out an Indian buffet and Sizzler Festival to mark its first anniversary Mona Made to resemble a Japanese tea house with windows and doors done in ornate wooden lattice, Plum Asian Bistro served Oriental food in the first year of opening its doors at Elante Mall, Chandigarh. To mark their first anniversary, they have rolled out an Indian buffet and Sizzler Festival. With Indian food high on the demand list of its patrons, Plum, which has been serving Burmese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Singaporean, Thai and Vietnamese fare, has introduced an Indian buffet. BBQ Buffet Tadka is typically Indian, menu card is shaped liked a truck, and has gol gappa and chaat for starters. The pre-set menu that's prepared fresh has a selection of six vegetarian and six non-vegetarian dishes. The rich main course comes with typical paneer lababdar, mix veg tawa masala, dal bukhara, subz birayani, kadahi chicken, mutton rogan josh, murg makhani and choice with Indian breads. But since its going to be a fresh preparation, one can customize it. You can pick up your choice of dal or selection of chicken, meat or fish. Ankit and Neha Juneja, co-owners, Plum, have also sizzler selection on offer. "People love the sizzler here. With weather taking a turn towards the winter, we thought sizzlers would be apt," says Neha. And they have an extensive collection — Crispy Fish Phuket Style Sizzler, Chicken Sizuan Sizzler, Chilly Chicken Sizzler, American Chopsuey Sizzler Veg and Non Veg, Tofu Mix Veg Sizzler in Hot Garlic Sauce. (On till October 12)
	gyan zone Sunny side up Enjoy your meal and indulge in a swim or a game, listen to music, or get a tattoo, all at Taj Chandigarh's Sunday brunch Mona A leisurely Sunday is what we all look forward to. Taj Chandigarh has come up with one such fabulous offer. On at their Café 17, it's called the Sunday Brunch, which is not just about food but has some music, fun and loads of activities thrown in one big package. The team at Taj has planned an array of activities for kids and grown ups starting from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. There is an activity room well stocked with board games, screens and a mini buffet. One can engage kids in a game of chess, carom or just let them sit around and sketch. And if one wants to play a game on the console or a movie, well, it's provided too. There is staff to look after kids as parents enjoy a drink or two. The kiddy counter right outside the activity room has a selection of small treats — puffs, burgers and pastries with fresh juice. There is more in the offing, a magician to surprise you; a counter with mehandi and if you fancy tattoo, you can get that as well. Better still, enjoy a swim. Yes, for the Sunday brunch, you can take a dip in the pool if you want to combine the meal with bit of an exercise. And, then there is live singing too. Now for the mainstay, food. Soup and salad to begin with, three veg and three non-veg starters and main course with Indian (including South Indian), Chinese and continental cuisines. There is an option of one veg and one non- veg home-cooked food of the day too. It's the live counters, however, that whet our appetite. Get a chaat made to taste or pasta; there is pao bhaji, keema pao, dimsums and jalebi. You can enjoy a fresh juice or soft drinks or graduate to hard drinks and enjoy the best in liquor including sparking wines. The dessert section is loaded with a variety of fruits and ice creams. You can avail this at Café 17 for Rs 1,250 (with non- alcoholic beverages) and Rs 1,650 with alcoholic ones per person, all inclusive of taxes. Enjoy a leisurely break at Café 17, it's on every Sunday! mona@tribeunmail.com
	Doc Talk Lose weight for healthy knees Dr Harinder Batth Losing weight is challenging for many, but it is even more daunting if you are living with painful knee arthritis. Losing just one kg of weight can reduce the pressure on your knee joints by four kilograms. There are two ways to lose weight — eat a healthy diet and exercise. Fasting should never be used as a weight-reduction modality. It, in fact, leads to more fat accumulation in the body, which is harder to burn. Instead, small, frequent, balanced meals spread throughout the day will help. You need to burn approx 7,000 kcal to reduce one kg of weight. Daily exercise can take the form of many types of physical activity. Get most out of exercise More muscle tissue means one would burn more calories. Muscle is more dense than fat, and because it can be worked, it uses energy, which fat doesn't. Even at rest, muscles burn more calories than fat. The best way to build muscle is to go for strength-training exercises using dumbbells, weight machines or resistance bands. The local strengthening of muscles around the knee will further protect the knee during any kind of overload. Cardio/strength training exercises If one does strength-training first, his or her muscles will be fatigued from lifting weights, then they won't be able to do as much cardio work, which means burning fewer calories. If walking is painful, a simple walking with a stick will take some load off the knee and allow some more walk without pain. Alternatively, use a stationary cycle to burn those extra calories. For years, experts have been recommending 30 minutes of activity for five or more days per week. But to lose weight, more activities are needed, say around 60 to 90 minutes per day. The 60 to 90 minutes can be a combination — say 30 minutes of walking, 20 minutes of strength training, 10 minutes of stretching and 30 minutes of household chores. Without a doubt, exercise and weight loss will go hand in hand. Be punctual in your daily schedule and keep company with like-minded people with common goals. What to eat Let's keep it simple. Cut down on sugars and oil. Dieticians would probably give you a long chart of what to and what not to eat. If you can follow it religiously, it's fine. Simply avoid all sugars and oils and focus on omega rich foods like fish, walnuts, flaxseed etc. They have been shown to reduce pain and joint stiffness. Although weight loss can seem like an impossible task when you have sore knee joints, making a few small changes in your diet and exercise routine can provide a big relief. The sooner you get started, the sooner you will get to your target weight. (Batth a Chandigarh-based orthopedic consultant)
	stress buster Learn to battle it out Renee singh Everyone talks of stress these days. Every age group is affected by it in some way or the other. Who is impervious to it? Stress is basically any kind of change that causes physical, emotional or psychological strain. Although we know that not all types of stress is harmful or negative, still we need to distinguish the types of stress. It is very important to understand your particular situation and gauge how your personality and habits contribute to your overall stress levels. You need to make a personal plan to find strategies that can help to reduce stress in your life. Amidst the various kinds of stress that is happening overall chronic stress is a never ending situation and completely inescapable. Everyone seems to be going through this one. Chronic stress happens when the body experiences stressors with such intensity or frequency that the ''autonomic nervous system'' does not have an adequate chance to activate the relaxation response on a regular basis. This means that the body remains in a constant state of physical arousal which affects virtually every system in the body either directly or indirectly. Our bodies are built to handle acute stress which is short lived. But chronic stress leads to an overactive autonomic nervous system. People begin to see the physical symptoms. First the symptoms are relatively mild such as chronic headaches and increased susceptibility to colds. With more exposure to chronic stress there are more acute symptoms. These stress related conditions are: Depression Heart disease Hypertension Diabetes Obesity Obsessive compulsive disorder Tooth and gum disease It's a proven fact that most of the diseases are related to stress and it is estimated that 90 per cent of doctors visits are partially due to stress. Fight or flight Stress triggers the body's response to perceived threat or danger. This termed as the Fight or Flight response. During this reaction certain hormones like adrenalin and cortisol are released. These are known to: Speeding the heart rate Slowing digestion Shifting blood flow to major muscle groups Changing various autonomic functions. Giving the body an extra burst of energy Originally the Fight or Flight response is named for its ability to enable us to fight or run away when faced with danger. When the perceived threat is gone, the body is designed to return to its normal function via the relaxation response. But in our terms of chronic stress this often does not happen causing damage to the body. The implications of chronic stress are many and the main one is that it affects our immune system in a way that when we are under acute stress our bodies guard system goes down and we are overtaken by whatever disease we are susceptible to How to cope No matter what the origin of stress there are some basic steps you can take to manage stress that you experience. We need to approach stress from different angles: Quick stress relief These stress relievers are an excellent first line of defense against the effects of chronic stress. They help to turn off the body's stress response and help respond to stressors in a more comfortable way. These include: Breathing Exercises Humour Meditation Address the situation This is an individualised state. You need to calm yourself, perceive your situation and address it accordingly. Long term stress plan Try and find for yourself some regular activities that replenish you and help you become more resilient with dealing with the stress in your life. Just as chronic stress develops over the years into a habit, you can make certain stress relief techniques a habit. You will then become less reactive to stressors and be able to handle them, this would include regular exercise and regular ''having fun strategy'' Indulge yourself in these strategies, allow them to take over and learn to enjoy. (Singh is a Chandigarh-based psychotherapist)
	it’s rocking Shake a leg This one urges Fanny to shake her bootiya on the floor and though we are still finding Fanny very interesting, much of its credit goes to the unusually peppy and engaging music. Sung by Divya Kumar, the lyrics of the film Finding Fanny's brand new song, Shake your Bootiya have been penned down by Sachin Gupta, Jigar Saraiya and Dinoo while the music has been given by Sachin Jigar and Sachin Gupta. A truly engaging music number this one sets new standards for the commercial Bollywood music. Here's what the city folks say about the song that making waves across the Indian music circuit. Right vibe I really love the song. It's so cute and the graphics used in the video are very interesting too. Also, the lyrics are a bit colloquial, but they tend to hit the right vibe, its very Goan and goes with the flavour of the film. Adamya Sharma, city-based musician Sweet number It's a very peppy song and I am glad that it is bereft of Honey Singh's party anthem theories, which seem to be getting so popular with the masses and I wonder why. The song is simple, sweet and it makes you dance even when you have not had chaar botal vodka and that's the beauty of it. (Laughs) Jaspal Sahib, city-based musician Fresh take I think the quality of this song lies in the element of freshness that it brings to the contemporary Bollywood songs and I like it for the same reason. Also, I think its video is really cute. Harneet Kaur, A homemaker (As told to Amarjot Kaur)
	Lounge like a nawab Not like Sector 35 needed another mediocre 'lounge', but the newly opened M Lounge promises to deliver a nawabi experience of food and drink. Second venture by the owner of Chandigarh's first revolving restaurant, Memorable Moments, Alamjit Singh Mann, M Lounge was inaugurated by Punjabi singer and actor Gippy Grewal on Saturday. "I have always loved the food at Memorable Moments; the taste here has been consistent. I have been and will keep returning for the love and food to this lounge," says Gippy at the launch. Formerly a kho-kho coach, Alamjit Singh has been keeping busy with social work for the past 20 years. After a failed attempt at finance business, his tête-à-tête with Punjabi food and Punjabis’ love for food sailed him through. Now, this new lounge aims at bringing forth Mughlai flavours with interesting dishes such as Badami Chicken, Bahaduri Kofta, Shabhnam Curry, Chicken Koliwala, Rahra Ghost etc. A meal for two at the lounge costs Rs 1,000 (approx). — TNS
	star track B-town’s hot steppers… Most actresses have to look gorgeous and glamorous off screen as well. These starlets are expected to make it big in Bollywood. We take a look at the current crop of fashionistas in tinsel town Alia Bhatt, Sonam Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Kangna Ranaut Of style and flair Alia Bhatt: Well, she has a natural flair for style and carries off almost everything, courtesy her young and feisty personality. She is a regular on magazine covers and fashion and style come naturally to her. Fashionable foot forward Sonam Kapoor: She is the most fashionable of the lot as she loves, lives and breathes fashion. She is the one who has always turned heads for her sense of fashion. We bet that put some peer pressure on her contemporaries. Bright and beautiful Shraddha Kapoor: She loves playing with bright colours and mixing and matching her stuff. She plays it up in shorts, dresses, skirts, and more, depending on her movie characters and moods. She is very much the girl-next-door. We hope she stays that way. A smash hit Deepika Padukone: She has transformed beautifully. As a newcomer, she was a below average dresser but over the years she improved. Now, with the help of stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania, she makes all the right moves and looks totally smashing. No wonder, she is seen on most magazine covers these days. Quirky side up Kangna Ranaut: She is quirky to the core and quite like Sonam because they both are unique and have the personality to take risks in the name of fashion. We salute her impeccable sense of style and the drive to take chances. Moreover, we like her attitude because that is what makes all the difference.
	Looking back with Ben Affleck Actor Ben Affleck knows that his career reads like a screenplay's 'three-act structure'. Affleck, 42, said he evolved as an actor over the period of time, reported a publication. "I think for me there's the idea that, 'Oh, he was callow and foolish in his youth and has sort of learned the error of his ways and has redeemed himself and is now like, maybe, a person of substance. But it wasn't that I was lost and now I'm found. It was because we grow up. We kind of evolve," he said. These days, the Gone Girl star says he is taking the 'downs' in stride with the 'ups'. "The world is more naturally full of nos than it is with yeses. And, in fact, the yeses are so rare. I have to make peace with it. I don't always succeed. All these phases of life I've found are challenging in their own way. You keep running into new versions of yourself and having to acclimate to that," he added. — PTI
	Character sketch After playing a tough-as-nails cop in Mardaani, Rani Mukerji met IPS officer Meeran Borwankar who is now the Police Commissioner of Pune. Rani Mukerji's character in the movie is inspired by her. — HRM An honour for Indian cinema Indian writer-director Chaitanya Tamhane's debut feature Court won the Lion of the Future award at the recently concluded Venice Film Festival. The 27-year-old filmmaker's multilingual courtroom drama won the trophy for its striking narrative style and also bagged the Orizzonti Award for Best Film in the festival. Swedish director Roy Andersson won the top Golden Lion prize for absurdist drama A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting On Existence. The film, which is the third in its trilogy, was hailed by critics for its intricate shots and quiet reflections on what it means to be a human being. The director accepted the award, saying movies should be "humanistic" and that he will keep trying to make great movies. — PTI
	Problem in paradise Rumours have it that Rannvijay Singh's wife Priyanka Vohra was very unhappy about him doing intimate scenes in 3 AM and she was caught unawares when she found the viral pictures. He had to pacify her by saying that it was strictly professional. She would not like him to do intimate scenes in the future.
	The down side of fame On the sets of Daawat-E-Ishq, shooting a particular scene at Hyderabad station became very difficult for the team. The scene was shot in guerilla style and took two days. People kept recognising Aditya Roy Kapur and Parineeti Chopra. It was the toughest shoot for Parineeti Chopra. Field job: A still from the shoot of Daawat-E-Ishq Under Censor’s hawk-eye Haider has been passed by the Censor Board with 41 cuts for a "U/A" certificate. The scenes included things like objectionable language, gory images, violence, et al. We hope that the essence of the movie is intact. Sometimes, the way CBFC functions is beyond reason and logic. From Aamir’s desk Aamir Khan feels that his role in PK has been the most challenging so far because it is very high on emotions. So much so that he calls it tougher than all his other films put together. He also says that people will understand and connect with PK only after watching the movie.
	chatter box Bigg Boss 8 set for takeoff Ever since the first promo of Bigg Boss Season 8 hit airwaves, audiences have been curious and eager to find out more about when the zabardast journey, as the promos promise, will take off! Colors announced that its marquee show, Bigg Boss, will take viewers on an unanticipated ride every day starting September 21 at 9 pm. With host, 'captain' Salman Khan, all set to rattle you off your seats this festive season, the upcoming edition of Bigg Boss promises to be more action-packed, full of excitement and revelations. Following this development, the prime time properties of Colors — Beintehaa will move to the 11 pm time slot every Monday to Friday from September 22 and curtains will fall on Rangrasiya as Rudra and Myra's love saga will meet its logical conclusion on September 19 — will take a back seat. With the aviation theme piquing the audience's curiosity, this season of Bigg Boss surely cannot be given a miss. The teaser campaign of Salman Khan dressed as a pilot will be followed by a series of spellbinding promos shot by director Rohit Shetty.
	Picture Perfect Actor Ankit Gera recently posted a picture of him with a 575 kg modak on Facebook. When we called him, he said, "The picture was clicked at an event organised by Vikas Kalantri and the modak flag off was held at Goregaon west, where Kavita Kaushik and I inaugurated the event. Modak’s height was 5 feet 11 inches and it weighed 575 kgs. This is world's biggest modak and has been listed in the in Limca Books of Records," he said. When asked if he liked modaks, Ankit replied, "I can eat four to five modaks in one go." We bet he cannot eat this one!
	Fit at a fiddle Rishina Kandhari, who plays Malvika in the show, Uttaran, is a fitness freak and works out at a gym in Malad. "It is very important for an actress to be fit. I cannot imagine a day without workout and I am very particular about it. I take out time for my fitness routine no matter what. We need to look good at all times and for looking good, one needs to be in good shape," she says. We agree!
	Lord and the king The Ganpati fever has not just gripped the Bollywood brigade, our telly stars are celebrating the festival with great gusto too. Though long and tiring shoot schedules do not allow our telly actors to travel to the famous Ganpati pandals around the city for darshans, but their will manages to find a way! So the cast and crew of Zee TV's historical saga, Jodha Akbar decided to set up a statue of Ganpati for all nine days on the sets and guess who is the most ardent bhakt of Bappa? It is our very own Mughal emperor, Jalaluddin Akbar aka Rajat Tokas. We are told that Rajat has played a major role in getting the Ganpati idol on the sets and took it upon him to ensure all preparations are done to perfection and well in time. He participated in all the aartis that have been taking place over the past six days and also encourageed the co-actors to join in, sing along and rejoice in this festival of togetherness. A complete contrast from his onscreen character of an orthodox muslim Mughal emperor, Rajat is a devotee of Ganu and says, "I have a lot of faith in Ganesh ji. Mumbai is all lit-up and buzzing with life around this time. As we shoot far away in Karjat for our show, we hardly have any time to go for Ganpati darshans or for that matter even home to celebrate the festival with family and friends. With these options practically ruled out, what better way to celebrate the festival than to do a daily puja with the team I spend most of my time with!" The whole unit of Jodha Akbar seems to be loving this festive fervour on the sets and there is a good flow of modaks as well. The team will bid farewell to their favourite God on the last day of visarjan.
	Shibani is a mentor: Shivin Shivin Narang, who plays Ranvijay in Yash Patnaik's show, Veera, talks about her co-star Shibani Kashyap, the show and more… How is Shibani Kashyap as a co-star? Shibani Kashyap is mentor in our show. She is an amazing co-star and I am getting to learn many things from her. She is very helpful and makes me feel very comfortable while working with her. She is just not an actor but also a singer in her real life, so there is a lot to learn from her. Which role do you like doing the most, positive or negative? I like to play different shades of character. I like challenging roles where I can show my performance and talent. What tips does she give on music? She makes understand the values of a song like sur and taal. Also, she introduced me to voice modulation, with respect to where I have to low down my voice and were I need to raise my volume while singing. She gives me basic tips on singing. Who are your 4 am friends in Bombay? Simiti Karla, Hitesh Bhardwaj and Mohit Malik. What you like to watch on TV? Due to my hectic schedule, I do not get much time to watch TV. However, whenever I am free, I watch Veera, which is my own show, Man VS Wild and Yeh Hai Mohabbtain. What are your interests or hobbies? I am interested in sports. I was national shooter in my school days. Currently, I am learning to play guitar.
	Out and about Shraddha Musale, who plays the role of Dr. Tarika of CID, was recently spotted with her husband, Deepak Tomar at a mall in Malad. She had an off, so she decided to catch up for a film as well as do some shopping with her husband. Wherever she goes, people recognise as the woman from CID.
	Astro turf P. Khurrana ARIES: A hazardous day. Keep your mind on the job throughout the day. Do not be tempted to day dream of what lies ahead once your work week is done. Be sure to get to the bank before it closes. Tarot message: Health of an elderly member at home will need looking after. Lucky colour: Peach. Magic number: 32 TAURUS: Old acquaintances are likely to pop up and you will be intrigued to exchange stores. In the office, more efforts may be expected from you without the possibility of higher income. Tarot message: Prepare for a mental battle. Lucky colour: Orange Magic number: 28 GEMINI: A call or a visit from a relative you have not seen for ages brings an opportunity to remember the past and catch up on more recent family happenings. Entrepreneurs must try for the loan. Tarot message: You may encounter some difficulties regarding finances. Lucky colour: Pink. Magic number: 30 CANCER: This is a fantastic time to contact and visit folks and to keep abreast of their news and gossip. Complete errands, socialise and catch up on outstanding paper-work and correspondence. Tarot message: Not a bad time to open new doors to a lucrative direction. Lucky colour: Yellow Magic number: 31 LEO: The King of Wands reveals best moments to relax and socialise with friends and loved ones. This is a good day for household repairs. Be sure to grasp the job opportunity. Beware when looking at electronic equipments. Tarot message: Avoid gossip sessions at workplace. Lucky colour: Fuchsia. Magic number: 64 VIRGO: Discussions and chit-chat with those in close proximity increase, but you will instinctively know when to talk and when to put your head down and work. Tarot message: You can stabilise your financial situation if you make property investments. Lucky colour: Burgundy. Magic number: 42 LIBRA: Catching up on jobs you have been putting off for a while seems like a wise idea. Time to check out meditation and yoga. You will shine in surroundings that are unfamiliar to you. Romance is unexciting. Tarot message: Over optimism could lead to mistakes. Lucky colour: Baize. Magic number: 59 SCORPIO: Do not miss the opportunity to unload all that unfinished business that seems to be weighing on your mind and spirit. You will be amazed how much lighter you will feel when you have shed those concerns. Tarot message: Do not overspend just to impress others. Lucky colour: Peach. Magic number: 60 SAGITTARIUS: Use your status of communication boldly with a creative expression. Patronage from powerful individuals can validate your efforts. Share problems with loved ones. Do not take any risk with your savings. Tarot message: Leave things open-ended for best results. Lucky colour: Deep red. Magic number: 40 CAPRICORN: Be positive in your approach. You will be better able to cope with jobs that require team efforts. Home entertainment should go off rather well. Women: keep your stakes low while playing cards. Tarot message: You will get the help you need if you ask for it. Lucky colour: Purple. Magic number: 57 AQUARIUS: Wherever you go and whatever you do, the focus of everyone's attention is likely to be firmly on you. Check your car before you set out. Relatives will be sensitive and difficult to get along with. Tarot message: Wait a while, everything will get sorted out on its own. Lucky colour: Forest green Magic number: 52 PISCES: Do not get involved in any land deal. A secret love affair will bring pleasure. Make your boss aware of all the hard work that you have been putting in and you will be acknowledged. Tarot message: You need to be creative if you want to retain your grip over business. Lucky colour: Pink. Magic number: 63
	The year ahead Madan Gupta Spatu If your birthday is September 8... This year, your birthday falls on Poornima Shradh. Number 8 is the manager. Ruled by Saturn, you will be ambitious, business-minded, practical, leading, authoritative, successful, courageous, accomplished and organized; sometimes tense, narrow, materialistic and forceful. You may take a commitment with responsibility and bravery. Long ailments should not be ignored, they might cause some problems. There will be a rise in your expenses, which will bother you. Arguments at home will lead to unpleasantness with family members. Your beloved will seek commitment. Your sharp observation will help you stay ahead of others. Friends will help you realise a cherished dream. There is a chance you have developed romantic feelings for someone you have known for years. Happily, the attraction is mutual. This affair will send shock waves through your social circle. It's fun to cause a commotion. If you're currently grappling with a problem, it shall soon vanish. You want so much more love this year, but you may be confused about how to take your affections to the next level. Truth will be a key word for you throughout 2014-15. Professional opportunities are likely. Job opportunities, salary increment, promotions are in store. Positive colours: Black, chocolate. Select days: Sunday, Tuesday Favourable numbers: 1, 4, 8 Gems recommended: Blue sapphire, diamond and emerald Charity on birthday: Donate white clothes/school dress/white edible items to the needy. You share your birthday with Asha Bhosle (September 8, 1933, Mumbai), who has done playback singing for over 1,000 Bollywood movies and sung over 12,000 songs. The seventh house of her horoscope does not support marital bliss in life. So, her love marriage flopped after RD Burman’s death.