Life News - Page 8
Diwali crackers and kite flying: Manto takes on Pakistan's politics
Manto loved India's culture, which he did not see as belonging to any one faith. Here's what he felt about the Pakistan government discouraging firecrackers as they felt they were more suited to Hindu rituals.
He's quite an activist: Jerome Marrel on his partner, Wendell Rodricks
In his first extended interview to the press in years, Jerome Marrel talks about his partner, fashion designer Wendell Rodricks, and their unique and enduring love story.
Why those deathly crackers in the festival of light
Records across India show that every Diwali presence of suspended particles in the air shoots up by 90-150 percent, reducing visibility and suffocating us.
Who Needs Holidays ?
A government job is meant to be a passport to luxurious idleness — but if anybody in any position of authority has even an iota of interest in improving, however slightly, the work ethic of the sarkari behemoth then exploring this option could be good place to start.
Mustafa Centre: How India dug its feet into Singapore
Mustafa Centre, a humongous shopping mall, is a slice of India right at the heart of Singapore.
Attenborough’s Ark vs Reality TV: How both approaches serve nature poorly
While it’s a novel attempt to shift the focus from the usual headline-grabbing big mammals, Attenborough's show will be yet another measured, intimate attempt to make the viewer marvel at and sympathise with the fascinating animals in distress.
Sex in the city: What Durga Pujo does to Kolkata's hormones
Is Bengal’s pujo really second only to Gujarat’s Dandiya Raas and Garba Nights in whipping up those hormones? The Durga Pujo the perfect mating and dating playground, and for excellent reasons.
Now it’s time for Tamil-Shamil, starring Sri Deva…
One thing for sure: the script for 'Tamil-Shamil' will definitely depict the amazing way Dilli-wallahs come well prepared for a transfer to Chennai. So on Day 1 in Chennai, they are ready to interview prospective maids with this Tamil sentence: “English Teri Ma?”
An ode to the Mango Man
"....Langra too is good somehow, Some say Neelam wins the test, But Vadra is the very best." Here's an ode to the Mango Man.
In Chennai, we have our gold and eat it too
After that unusual meal, I step outside to find that I’m only a gemstone’s throw away from Chennai’s bustling gold haven –Usman Road—where thousands flock everyday, fuelled by a gold obsession that’s hardwired in our DNA.
Talking the walk in Chennai
Why Boat Club road in Chennai is a morning walker and gossip hound's paradise.
Sridevi’s English-vinglish can thank Chennai
When baby Tamilians learn the Tamil alphabet from their ammas, they find that one particular letter pronounced ‘pa’, could well be ‘pa’ or ‘ba’ or even ‘fa’.
Al Jazeera journo defends channel’s coverage of India topic
Al Jazeera journalist defends channel's show on the flight of North Eastern Indians from various cities and their larger approach to coverage in conflict areas
Keeping up with the Virtual Joneses
Social media makes people believe they can don so many hats, and become experts at them in no time.
A wife speaks: My husband, Vishal Bhardwaj
He is a brilliant director, married to a talented singer. How does a marriage work with two driven partners, both with strong opinions and a shared "crazy streak"?
The freakonomics of the tampered auto meter
Interestingly, auto drivers have economic justifications for the tampered auto meter. There are however ways to make sure you don't repeatedly get taken for a ride.
Why Pakistan's Coke studio beats India's hollow
Why did Pakistan produce the lovely Coke Studio music series and not India? Is it because Pakistan's musicians are better or more creative than India's?
Celebrate, not Decry Desi Domination of Spellings
It seems some have a slight problem with desi kids dominating the American spelling bees. There is a hunt to pin success on anything other than hard work and grit.
Rote learning helps Indians win spelling bees, not much else
What explains this total dominance of Indians, who are only one percent of America's population? It is hardly the case that we speak or write English better than Europeans or Americans. How are Indians so good with difficult words?
A survival guide to eating out in Paris
Planning a vacation in the beautiful city of Paris? Here's a short guide to eating in the ever-charming French capital.
Notes from a Babymoon aka a leave-baby-at-home vacation
Blogger Amod Chopra writes a letter to his little one upon taking a "babymoon", that means baby stays with grandma while mom and dad get to spend some quality time; except the thing is you never really leave baby behind.
Shoe shopping in Florence and other Italian delights
Florence in Italy is fabled as the cradle of the Renaissance. But there is more fun to be had in the city as well from fabulous shoe shopping to truffle sandwiches.
Rupert Murdoch: Your doting granddad or evil mad genius?
Murdoch Sr, in two days, was a gatling gun of headlines that sent the media in so many directions they lost focus on the witness himself.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Subhalakshmi: A real love story
She admired him as an artiste but was not in love with the man. And yet she married him, crossing the barriers of religion. Here's an intimate story of a celebrity marriage.
Whatever I do, my mother did first: Barkha Dutt
Barkha Dutt was called the "first woman war correspondent" after Kargil. But she says her mother, Prabha Dutt deserves that honour as well/
Travel Tales: Full moon rising over Yangon
As Myanmar heads into polls, the closed country is opening up more to tourists as well. In 2012, the annual Shwedagon Pagoda festival was celebrated for the first time since 1988 when the junta banned it. Here's what it felt like.
What not to do in your CV?
CVs are mostly a make-or-break link between the applicants and their dream jobs. And considering the important role a resume plays, here are some valuable tips to make your CV impressive.
Plastic surgery makes you look seven years younger
The perceived age reduction was higher if patients had more procedures done.
Stupid Cupid: Or why I support the Shiv Sena today
Valentine's Day is the one day of the year when Rajyasree Sen becomes a strong supporter of the Shiv Sena. From Facebook gushing to a Love Goddess named Damdami Mai, her cup of V-day phobia runneth over.
Did we all play a part in Whitney's death?
There is a morbid fascination with celebrity, which isn't about wanting to be rich or famous or talented but about wanting to feel better about ourselves when they fail.