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Not wanted: NRI dulha
"IT is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife," said Jane Austen in her classic Pride and Prejudice. But what happens when the fortunes are not that good? Simple. The search for a bride, once a cakewalk, suddenly becomes an arduous task. This is what is exactly happening to our desi boys (read NRI grooms).
The latest to be the hit by the great US slowdown is the NRI shaadi business as an increasing number of wannabe NRI bahus are having second thoughts of crossing the seven seas to 'get settled'. Says Shalini (name changed), a city girl, who, till six months back, was dreaming to move to New York post marriage, is now happy to have found a good match in Delhi. "My parents were not willing to take the risk. The charm of NRI grooms is there, but what matters most is the security. The news from US is bad. A lot of people have already lost jobs and more are likely to get fired. I don't want to get married to someone with an axe hanging over his job. After all, it's about my future," says the lecturer. She is not alone. "My parents have been quite busy in the last few months, finding a suitable match for me. Earlier they were pretty keen on an NRI son-in-law, especially from the US or Canada, but not anymore. The daily reports of the global recession have made them change their mind. Now, they are hunting for a decent Indian guy," says Chavi of Sector 32. Nalini (20) is also anxious about her approaching wedding. Though she is getting married in New Zealand, the crises in the global financial markets are enough to ring an alarm bell. "The dwindling economy abroad is causing a lot of concern. Even my family is worried. We hope that the situation improves," she says. Matchmaking shops in and around the city have also started feeling the heat. "The queries for NRI grooms have definitely reduced. Earlier I used to get an odd call everyday but now I have not heard from any US client in the last three weeks," reveals Kanta Sikri of Mentor-32. Also, the priorities of those seeking an alliance abroad have changed in the last few months. While earlier they were worried about qualification, second marriage, now what bothers them is just the job. There are people who have now changed their mind in the new-found scenario and are looking for matches within the country," she adds. Vishwajit Sandal from Bharat Matrimony also says that The situation in other cities of Punjab, the hub of NRI alliances, is no different. “We have fair share of NRI clientele. Punjabis settled abroad approach us for local matches and there is a fair share of people seeking alliance overseas At the moment we are organising meetings between local clients and those from UK and Norway. But right now there are no talks going on with US clients," tells Patinder Grewal from Shaadi Point, Ludhiana. mona@tribunemail.com |
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Call waiting, but life’s not on hold
Anshul Arora, a student of Government College, Malout, got placed in a renowned IT company last year and the joining date was supposed to be this year in July. But the wait for the call letter is still on. "Every month, the company sends me a mail, writing the next tentative joining date. As of now, it is someday in February but it can be further delayed." Besides doing a part-time job with Dell, he has started looking for engineering jobs. "By the time I join in February, my friends will have a seven-month experience." But he knows this is not the end of the world. "I’m treating this as holiday time. I surf the Net for jobs and play games on the laptop." Amar Singh, a passout from Guru Nanak Dev Engineering college, couldn't believe his ears when he came to know that he had made it to two of the best IT firms in India. But today, it is a different scene altogether. "One company has been delaying the date of joining and there is no information from the other one at all." It is frustrating but then it is not just him, 16 of his friends too are facing the same problem. Leaving behind the past, he now reads a lot of self-help books, "These books have helped me lot in the time of crunch times. " We got one good advice from Suruchi Singla, another engineering student from the city, "One must keep a job back-up even if it offers lesser salary. Studying and looking for another job is what we all are capable of." Her confirmed placement with two companies did not do her any good and now she is taking coaching for MBA. "Instead of cribbing about the status of call letter, I joined MBA coaching." Once Aditya Jain's date of joining the IT firm got delayed, without wasting more time he started doing another computer course. A passout from SUS College of Engineering, he says, "Competition has increased as job vacancies are limited. It has become important to be technically sound and have some additional knowledge." ashima@tribunemail.com |
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Great expectations
Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman will walk the red carpet in Sydney for the world premiere of their highly anticipated epic movie Australia on November 18. The movie's director Baz Luhrmann and his wife, production designer Catherine Martin, young indigenous actor Brandon Walters and other Australian celebrities will join them at the George Street Greater Union cinemas in Sydney's CBD.
Simultaneous screenings will take place in Darwin and Bowen, in Queensland, to celebrate key shooting locations from the film. A separate celebration of the film will be held in the fourth shooting location, Kununurra, in Western Australia's East Kimberley region, with details to be announced shortly. "With the huge anticipation for this film, these events will be the first chance for people to discover what promises to be Baz's next cinematic masterpiece,'' said Marcos Oliveira, managing director of 20th |
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Spoilt to splurge
It will be the first time she will be seen there with her husband Nick Cannon. "It'll be like a second honeymoon on board the jet for them. There'll be no expense spared for Mariah. Lilies, mini burgers, sparkling water and bundles of her favourite Hello Kitty toys as a present," said an insider. "Staff wont disturb them until Mariah calls, to ensure the love-birds have the utmost privacy on the cosy flight," the insider added. |
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The fat revelation
Hollywood actor Kate Winslet has revealed that her fat childhood made her believe that she would never make it to the world called Hollywood. In an interview, the Revolutionary Road actor said that she still feels, she can't be the part of the entertainment industry as she is fat.
"I was fat. I didn't know any fat famous actor, I just did not see myself in that world at all, and I'm being very sincere. You know, once a fat kid, always a fat kid," she said. The actor also revealed that she still keeps on finding faults in her appearance, when she looks at other women. She said: "You always think that you just look a little bit wrong or a little bit different from everyone else, and I still sort of have that. "I often look at women who wear great jeans and high heels and nice little T-shirts wandering around the city and I think, 'I should make more of an effort. I should look like that.' "But then I think, 'They can't be happy in those heels,'" she said. |
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Playboy comes lately
"I've always been a slow starter. My first date was with a girl called Cessi. We had a beautiful relationship over the phone all summer and then when we met I couldn't look her in the eye," DiCaprio said. Although, DiCaprio is keen to get rid of his playboy image and settle down, he intends to be covert about his personal life. He said: "Defining yourself to the public on a consistent basis is death to a performer. The more you define who you are personally the less you are able to submerge into the characters you do, and people will think, 'I don't buy him in that role." |
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Spoof queen
Heidi Klum spoofs Tom Cruise in commercial London, German supermodel Heidi Klum has spoofed Hollywood actor Tom Cruise's air guitar scene from a 1980s movie Risky Business in a new advertisement for a series of music video games Guitar Hero.
Klum slides into action wearing just her underwear and a shirt (which she takes off in the editor's cut version) and strums along to American rock and roll singer Bob Seger's classic Old Time Rock and Roll, like Cruise did in the movie. She even performs some of his dodgy moves, such as falling onto a couch and kicking her legs in the air. Klum was at a heart of a controversy recently when she dressed up as Hindu goddess Kali for a Halloween party. |
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Top of the charts
It reached No.1 on the American Billboard Hot 100, the first time she has hit No.1 since her debut single, Baby One More Time. Circus will not be released until December. Meanwhile, rumors are doing rounds that the pop star is back with her paparazzo ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib. —IANS, ANI |
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A future after playing the past
Yet another cliché, but true nevertheless. If you are destined for something, then no matter how, you'll get it. Aman Dhaliwal, a name that may not ring a bell at first, bears testimony to this. A guy from a small town, Mansa, he struggled quiet a big in the glamour world that has lured millions before finally reaching the ultimate destination of glitz-seekers: Bollywood. Well, his story is short and sweet, and he unfolds it for us.
Aman drops names, and we are eager to lap up more details. He adds, "The entire cast and crew was professional from the word go. Everyone on Ashutosh's sets is treated with respect. I was completely new and such big names." Aman is already blushing. "I worked opposite Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and she is a fabulous actor, who has no starry tantrums. Ditto for Ashutosh, this director has a vision and manages to get work out of all, be they old, new or debutant actors." For Aman, it is a dream come true, and has given a push to his career as well. "I am getting good offers," says Aman, who has also done a good number of music videos. "I bet the industry has noticed my work and my curly locks as well," he laughs. You bet they have. You will soon see him sharing space in some good projects like Mission Harey Rama Harey Krishna, The Man, Coffee house. "It might take ages for a dream to touch base with reality, but if you latch on to patience, hard work and honesty, there is no way you will go from this world unheard and unseen," says Aman. "Bollywood is going through a very happening and encouraging phase. It is a place for good work, and all it takes is one right opportunity and then the rest, as they say, is history."
jasmine@tribunemail.com |
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Launch Pad
On the international runway, the key trend is that of luxurious fabrics, with elegant textures and classy weaves in soft tweeds. For women, the styling is soft and the silhouettes feminine. Waistcoats and flattering knits make a statement of exclusivity this season. Accessories get a lot of focus and the mood is that of clean and sharp elegance. Mr. Atul Chand, Divisional Chief Executive, ITC's Lifestyle Retailing says, "The Wills Lifestyle Autumn Winter 2008 collection is urbane, classy and sophisticated. Keeping In line with the latest international trends, the look is luxurious with refreshing colours and elegant styles. The collection is truly world class and provides our discerning consumers with the very best for the season." Influenced by the Old English style, the menswear exhibits the sharp Prince of Wales signature styling element. Presented in the range are the finest shirts, exclusively crafted in Italy, featuring interplay of weaves including unusual textured stripes and luxurious structures. The bottoms are stylized to perfection and are presented in subtle tonal checks, stripes and herringbone patterns. Jackets with paisley printing and contrast collar and cuffs make an urban metropolis statement. Colour stories focus on season fresh palettes introducing bordeaux, blue, purple, beige and color tones of black, gray, white, pink, green and teal and brown. Women's collection presents a distinctive look with a combination of classy elegance and modern chic. Women can choose from the English pattern influenced high waist trousers, skirts and
dresses in volume driven silhouettes. Pretty, soft patterns and feminine styling with contrasting asymmetrical elements lend the
collection a timeless appeal.
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Skin deep
Shahnaz Husain Whatever the type or texture of your skin, it requires thorough cleansing. Before it is cleansed, the skin surface is covered with a film of dirt, stale sweat and oil deposits, stale make-up and pollutants. All these are potent skin irritants. They not only upset the normal balance of the skin, but also hamper its natural functions. Cleansing assumes even more importance to city dwellers, who have to contend with an increasingly polluted environment. Soap and water are probably the most common cleansing ingredients. Actually, soap cleanses the skin superficially and does not remove every trace of grime, oil and other deposits. Most soaps are alkaline and can disrupt the normal pH (acid-alkaline) balance of the skin. Harsh cleansing agents also remove the skin's natural oil and moisture. Whether your skin is normal, oily or dry, remember to cleanse the skin at night. The make-up, dirt and pollutants that have collected on the skin must be removed at night, so that when you sleep, your skin can "breathe". For normal to dry skin use a cleansing gel or cream, so that it provides emollients and keeps the skin lubricated and soft. After applying the cleanser, wipe it off with moist cotton wool, so that further moisture depletion is prevented. For normal to oily and combination skin, use a cleansing milk or lotion. Soapless cleansers or face wash are also available. They are in the form of a cream, which has to be applied on the skin and washed off with water. One can select the face wash according to skin type. If you have a problem skin, with spots and pimples, choose a medicated cleanser or soap. They not only help to remove surface oils, but provide a fresh feeling. Cleansing grains or facial scrubs are useful for deep cleansing and are ideally suited to oily skin and clogged pores. If you have a tendency towards blackheads, grains will help. Scrubs are also grainy in texture and help to dermabraze the skin, removing dead epitheleal cells and unclogging the pores. They should be rubbed gently on the skin and then rinsed off with water. Scrubs or cleansing grains should not be applied on pimples, acne and rash. Home cleansers:
Cleansing for Oily Skin: Mix rice flour with curd or rose water and apply on the face. Rub gently, using small circular movements. Leave the mixture on for a few minutes and then rinse off with plenty of plain water. However, if you have rash, pimples or acne, facial scrubs should not be applied on them. You can apply them only on areas with blackheads. Cleansing for Dry Skin: For a cleanser for dry skin, take half a cup of milk and add five drops of any vegetable oil (til, olive or sunflower oil). Put this in a bottle and shake well. Apply it on the skin using cotton wool and then wipe off with moist cotton wool. Keep leftover mixture in the fridge. Remember that home recipes should not be kept for more than 2 to 3 days. Cleanser for Oily and Combination Skin: To one-fourth teaspoon of lemon juice, add one teaspoon each of cucumber juice and cool milk. Apply on the face and wash it off with plain water after 15 minutes. Egg white is also a good cleanser. Egg white can be mixed with lemon juice and applied on the face for oily skin. Wash it off after 15
minutes. Cleansing Scrub for all skin types: Take one teaspoon ground dry orange and lemon peels, one-teaspoon oatmeal and one teaspoon ground almond. Add one-teaspoon rose water. Apply on the face and rub gently with circular movements. Then wash off with water. For dry skin, facial scrubs should be used only once a week. For oily skin, they may be used three or four times a week. Oatmeal mixed with curd makes a good cleanser, specially for oily skin. Apply it on the face. After 20 minutes rub gently on the skin and then wash off with water. Papaya is an excellent cleanser for the skin, as it contains enzymes. Ripe papaya pulp can be applied on the skin and washed off after half an hour. It softens the dead skin cells and facilitates their removal. |
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Write to Renee
Seema,
Chandigarh You sound thoroughly confused about what is going on in your life. You have to first really put your own act together and then confront the situation. It is very obvious that your fiancée is not telling you the truth. In case he is clear from his side about his intensions regarding the woman in his Thailand office and has only professional relationship with her definitely has no reason to quarrel with you and even to ask you not to talk to her. In a clear situation there is never anything to hide. You need to sit together and have a talk with him. Tell him that you feel insecure and vulnerable in this strange situation and need complete clarity. Trust yourself you will make the right decision. Do not worry about what people say. After all it is your life they will not live it you. So be there for yourself. I met this guy on a flight home from a holiday in the U.S. I am 27 and single. He was coming to India for a holiday. He is of Indian origin but born and brought up in the U.S. We struck an instant chord and out of the two months be spent travelling around India he spent 15 days with me. I am really attracted to him and although he is not committed to me. He is back to the U.S. and emails me everyday telling me how much he misses me. I am wondering if I should continue with this long distance relationship or just let it go and let it be just a passing phase in my life. Ritika Chadha,
Chandigarh Surviving a long distance relationship is quite a mega task in terms of the mental and emotional hard work that goes into sustaining it. When you are catching up on a daily or on a regular basis with somebody the relationship takes a natural flow and rhythm. You do not have to exert any effort to try to really make it happen. On the other hand if you are far away from each other, the emails and phone calls do keep you in touch but at a very different level. It is extremely up to your temperament to see how far you want to take this relationship. By your age and travel experience you should be mature enough to know if you want to keep this going. Allow it a certain pace and then perhaps take a trip down to U.S. to spend some time together and see how much it interests you. Allow a healthy friendship to develop and see where it takes you from there. I have been married for over five years and do not have any kids yet. Frankly I and my husband enjoy each other's company very much and do not really feel the need to have kids yet. My husband and his family keep on making remarks about little children. My in-laws especially everyday seem to implying as though something is very wrong with me and that I should not have got married if I was not planning to have children. I feel that having children between a couple is an extremely personal decision and no one else should interfere in it. I do not know how to explain this to them without hurting their feelings but this way I am beginning to feel guilty. Kitty Malhotra,
Patiala Firstly get rid of the guilt you are not committing any crime by being true to your natural self. We are all creatures of a certain kind with certain hopes, fears and desires of our own. And we must never allow anyone to make us feel guilty about who we are and the way we are. Since you are the so-called modern generation. You must realise that your in laws come from another generation than yours, they obviously view life from their own perspective, for them seeing their son with a family that is with kids of his own is probably a dream come true. They obviously are looking forward to being grand parents. Give them a chance. Try to explain to them calmly that you will have a family of your own at some point in life but right now there are other priorities you are taking care of. You must remember there is certainly a clock ticking and no matter how exciting independence may seem every woman does like to play mom. I advise you to keep an open mind to the issue and not over react just because your in laws are suggesting it. |
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They couldn't have asked for anything better. An assured job even before completing graduation seemed to be the best thing to have happened to these engineering students. And what followed was quite expected. Late night parties, gheri rounds and, on a little serious note, counseling friends, who weren't bright or lucky enough to crack the aptitude tests became their routine. Indeed, life appeared to be in the best gear until the Lehman brothers in America turned turtle. What happened then is now old news. Some anticipated it, some did not, thinking that the effect won't trickle down to such an extent. But it did. The bear pounce bruised many a people this time and the same youngsters who till some time back were on top of the world, were left with sweat on their brows. Here, we talk to some such youngsters, who in spite of getting campus placements are now waiting for the joining calls. And on an optimistic note, they let us know what they are doing to divert their minds and utilize time.
Mariah Carey is going to have all her diva demands met at the World Music Awards in Monaco. The organisers are planning to spoil her-they are going to spend 10,000 pounds on a private jet that will pick her after her X Factor performance and take her to Monaco for the 20th anniversary celebrations, say sources.
Leonardo DiCaprio says he's a 'slow starter' with women
Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio has said that he's an introvert when it comes to women - and as a result he was never too successful with the ladies while he was young. The Beach actor may have dated women like Helena Christensen, Gisele Budchen and Bar Rafaeli, but he is not a smooth talker with women, the star himself says.
Popstar Britney Spears has released the cover and track listing of her comeback album Circus. The Toxic hitmaker has already released the first song of the album called Womanizer.
"I met Ashutosh Gwarikor in America, where offered me a role in his new upcoming project," says Aman, in town to hunt for locales with the director for the movie Virsa, which is about a return to the roots. "There was no scope for thinking or asking for anything else. Save for the fact that I thought it would be an okay role. But I never knew that my character would lead to a historic turn of events in the movie, Jodhaa Akbar, where I played Rajkumar Ratan Singh, who was supposed to marry Jodhaa (Aishwarya Rai)."
ITC's Wills Lifestyle presents an exquisite collection for this ensuing autumn-winter. The nationwide chain of speciality stores offers a complete fashion wardrobe comprising Wills Signature Designer wear, Wills Classic formal wear, Wills Sport relaxed wear, Wills Clublife evening wear and complementing fashion accessories for both men and women.
I am a girl from Kerala engaged to a boy from Chandigarh. We seem to have too many quarrels between the two of us. All this is happening because of a woman who works in his office in Thailand. He has told me that she is a partner and nothing more but whenever I answer her phone call she gets annoyed with me and curses my fiancée. She told me that my fiancée has told her that I am his employee in the Chandigarh office but that is not true. My fiancée asks me not to talk to her. I know he loves me more than anything else in the world. I have told him to talk to her in front of me but he doesn't listen. I wonder if this process will continue all my life. I can't leave him as by now all my relatives know him.