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THE TIMES OF INDIA Sexciting partner? find your surname THE TIMES OF INDIA Penelope Cruz puts Thursday, here December 18, 2003 Tom Cruise on top Bar features nude staff and guests Page 7 Would you like anything el- ‘‘The idea is to let people be se with your double-double, as nature made them.’’ Sir? Perhaps some clothes? Police officials claim that That’s what the drive-th- since it is a private affair rough clerk at with only the Corunna’s Tim manager’s ‘clo- Hortons could se friends’ as have asked two guests, there is men when they nothing that ordered their can be done le- coffee and Tim gally. ‘‘But get- Bits in the nu- ting a licence de. But everyone there was will be a different story al- in the same state. ‘‘This is together.” As of now, the an experiment,’’ says bar bar has a licence to thrill — manager Robert Harrison. those are the bare facts! OF INDIA MANOJ KESHARWANI No work, all pay: Babudom on holiday

JYOTI SHARMA affected, we make alternative arrange- worked out an informal arrangement habits of his staff, MCD commissioner Times News Network ments in the case of employees respons- whereby the office isn’t totally empty.’’ Rakesh Mehta has a request on his lips: ible for dealing with the public.’’ DJB spokesperson Sanjam Chima, in ‘‘In the best interests of Delhiites, staff t’s that time of the year again. Just Apart from casual/sick/earned leave turn, reveals that a counter-plan is rea- should curtail their December leave. Ot- as history repeats itself without so to keep them at home, babudom can al- dy: ‘‘We will not sanction leave if this herwise, this will affect the functioning Imuch as anybody’s leave, the babu- ways cash in on their leave travel allow- impairs the civic body’s functioning.’’ of the office.’’ dom defining the city’s administration ance (LTA) this fortnight. But the ace While things seem to be as bad as it Meanwhile, babus don’t seem to be in repeats the annual act of going on leave NEELABH a mood to pay heed to this request. So towards the fag end of the year — when, much so, the DDA appears to have acce- in addition to the official holidays lined ABSENT MINDED pted the verdict of its staff. ‘‘As nothing I am adding a up, it is rush hour to exhaust all possib- With a slew of Govt holidays lined much can be done to stop people from le ways not to report for work. Of cou- finishing touch going on leave,’’ says a director with the rse, till the New Year arrives, the public to my leave... up over the next fortnight, offices DDA’s personnel department, ‘‘it is bett- will have to bear the brunt of near-emp- look set to sport a deserted look er to tide over this phase in good spirit.’’ ty sarkari offices. Words of wisdom no doubt, but for a ‘‘I still have seven days of leave pendi- Department Staff expected city in which government employees ng,’’ reveals a DDA employee, ‘‘I plann- to go on leave spend around 160 days on holiday, it is ed to take my family to Shimla, but wi- the man on the street who is at the rece- z th schools having postponed their wint- PWD 45 per cent iving end. ‘‘Most government offices ha- er vacations, I have now given my decis- z MCD 40 per cent ve minimal staff around this time of ion a rethink and will relax at home.’’ z DJB 40 per cent the year and ‘come tomorrow’ is the st- This, by the way,is not an isolated case. andard answer,’’ says businessman Sa- z The fact of the matter is that, officially- DDA 35 per cent ndeep Bhardwaj, ‘‘Now, I have decided speaking, everyone is ‘leaving’ no stone z NDMC 25 per cent to visit government offices only in unturned to go on leave. 2004.’’ After all, unlike the proverbial ‘‘Admittedly,we face an acute shorta- up the sleeve is the vanishing act — go- gets, NDMC spokesperson Madan Tha- Jack, who used to work, work and work, ge of staff during the last few days of ing on leave without submitting an app- pliyal maintains that the ‘staff-on-leave’ the Delhi-government-employee versi- the year,’’ says PWD director (personn- lication seems to be the norm. ‘‘Why su- syndrome might not be as bad as last on is in the box for as long as he is in of- el) AK Sharma, ‘‘But it is human tende- bmit an application when one can do year. ‘‘So far, applications for casual le- fice. The message for Delhiites is clear: ncy to derive maximum benefit from that after returning from a holiday?’’ ave are comparatively limited. Noneth- catch him if you can. For, the sarkari holidays. While such a situation means queries a DJB employee, ‘‘At the same eless, we expect a fair share of applicat- babu is an artful dodger. that our day-to-day functioning will be time, the staff in our department have ions for privilege leave.’’ Thanks to the [email protected] HOWZZAT? IT S A FAN-TASTIC With India stealing Australia’s thunder Down Under, Delhi Times tunes in to the reactions of prominent personalities „ VIJAY MALLYA: I did... I did... I sure did wa- „ SHEKHAR SUMAN: Though I didn’t get to tch the clincher! This team has proved that the STUMP VISION watch the match live, I was following the excite- fighting spirit is the winning spirit. The Aussies are a ment around me. It is a matter of pride that India has won again- formidable team but each member of the Indian team st a team as formidable as Australia. Irrespective of whether Ind- has stood up to be counted and contributed his bit. If I ia wins or loses in the future, fans need to be right behind the can get away for some time, I will definitely watch the team and cheer it up. Winning and losing are part of the rest of the series in Australia. game — what counts is putting up a good fight. „ MANISHA KOIRALA: I am excited, overjoyed. I „ PRIYANKA CHOPRA: I kept myself free on Tu- have always considered the Australian team to be best esday.I was up early in the morning in the world. For me, this victory is a really big one. In with my family and, when the winni- fact, I would say that this is the best team India has ever ng run was scored, all of us hugged put together.Dravid and Agarkar were fantastic. Gang- each other. But since it was afterno- HEARTWARMING GESTURE: Raveena Tandon, in town to work for the upliftment uly needs to be applauded for motivating the team. I wi- on then, we didn’t pop champagne and settled for of orphaned Kashmiri children, takes time off to strike a bright note for Delhi sh the Indian team luck for the remaining matches. aerated drinks! This is one match I really enjoyed! Times (To send this photograph to a friend, log on to www.timescity.com/delhi/) „ PRAHLAD KAKKAR: Unfortunately,I was busy sh- „ RAHUL DEV: Three words come to mind: what a ooting and didn’t get to see the match as it was telecast match! has always been a passion live. But I was keeping track of what was happening. Th- for me and it feels great that our team has is victory was just superb. played two terr- defeated the Aussies on their home turf. ific innings and I can only say,‘keep it up guys!’ I have had The way Australia’s kept falling ‘I hope people stop calling shooting sessions with most members of the Indian te- was awesome and, of course, Dravid wor- am. Sachin, Sehwag and Rahul are my favourites. ked magic for us! „ SHILPA SHETTY: I missed the winning hit as I was „ PUJA NAYYAR: On Tuesday,I woke up busy shooting. Of course, I was getting constant- at the crack of dawn to watch the match my husband Bombay ’ ly updated from those glued to the TV scr- with my dad... and we weren’t disappoint- een. India defeating the Aussies on the- ed! With our team showing what it is capab- Behind successful men are ecstatic wives; Ajit Agarkar’s wife Fatema is no different ir home ground — I still can’t believe it! le of, I am excited about the rest of the series PRASHANT NAKWE This historic win definitely makes me and will go all out not to miss a single ball! JAMAL SHAIKH a string of ducks feel proud to be an Indian. [email protected] Times News Network BOWLED OVER on India’s last trip Down Under.‘‘Hop- t’s half past 10 on efully, people will ITuesday morni- stop calling him The more the merrier! ng and the atmosp- Bombay duck here at the home of now,’’ says Fatema. Bollywood stars line up multiple releases for 2004 Fatema Agarkar’s With India need- mother is tense. ‘‘I ing one run to win, NIKITA DOVAL Bollywood even as he shoots for spoke with Ajit last loses Times News Network Swades. Throw in Kareena in night and he was his and Ajit Chameli, Yuva and Dev, and the happy with his per- marches onto the ow you see them, now you picture is as starry as it gets. formance,’’ she sa- field. Fatema cross- Ndon’t — not in 2004, thou- ‘‘2004 promises to be exciting ys, ‘‘But it all depe- es her fingers. ‘‘But gh. Because film stars are set to since several anticipated films nds on the outcome Ajit is not supersti- reel in multiple ap- will be released of the match.’’ tious at all,’’ she sa- pearances on the and box office-stan- Fatema got to ys, ‘‘I try to replay big screen in 2004. ding will be up for know of her husba- whatever I do on Ash, for one, ro- review once aga- nd’s performance his good days, and mances men in Kh- in,’’ says trade ana- through Rohan Ga- Fatema keeps her fingers crossed for Ajit Agarkar he calls me silly.’’ akee before explor- lyst Taran Adarsh. vaskar.‘‘I was addr- Then, as Dravid ing Bride & Prejud- Adds trade analyst essing a conference strikes a ball for a ice. And before 2004 Indu Mirani, ‘‘For of teachers there Bookies out! Caught Rahul four — signalling ends, the Yuva Viv- Lucky established names, when I got eight mi- victory — and jum- ek Oberoi will rep- there is no compro- ssed calls from Ga- Dravid, bowled Ajit Agarkar ps up, Fatema does eatedly ask her Ky- STAR TREK mise with exclusiv- va (Rohan),’’ says Blame it on Team India! pegged at 72 paise per so too! The phone un... Ho Gaya Na ity.This will be an- the pretty MD of a The dream win register- rupee bet for Australia; rings and Fatema’s even as she stars in other way of asser- management cons- ed by ’s Rs 1.45 for a draw; and Rs mother-in-law is on Rain Coat. Salman ting their box-offi- ultant firm, ‘‘When men against Australia 21 for an Indian win. The the line. As for Fa- Khan? Look forwa- ce worth.’’ I got to the line, the has translat- match invol- tema, she is alrea- rd to seeing him in While Hrithik first thing I asked ed into a nig- THIRD TEST RATES ved bets wor- dy planning her ce- Lucky — No Time hasn’t signed up was, ‘did he score a htmare for z Australia: 80 paise th Rs 1,500 cr- lebrations with Aj- For Love, Mujhse for any film after duck?’ But once I bookies, who z Draw: Rs 1.55 ore. Inciden- it. ‘‘We will go out Shaadi Karoge and Khakee Lakshya, the busie- got to know what have suffer- z India: Rs 18 tally, bookies and party,after wh- brother-in-law Atul st star in 2004 will had happened, eve- ed losses to All rates per rupee bet still favour ich I have a surpri- Agnihotri’s directorial debut. be Amitabh Bachchan, who has ryone at the meeti- the tune of Australia to se for him.’’ What’s Preity will be seen in Laksh- Lakshya, Black, Aetbaar, Kha- ng cheered.’’ Rs 650 crore. win the third Test despite that? ‘‘Well, it is a ya, Atul’s film and Yash Chopr- kee and Kyun... Ho Gaya Na. Ajit, of course, Steve Waugh’s team its loss at Adelaide. He- surprise!’’ Just like a’s as yet untitled venture co- But as for the Big B, so for other earned the dubious was favoured to win the re’s a tip: don’t bet on su- India’s win against starring Shah Rukh Khan and stars. Too many releases might title of ‘Bombay second Test, with returns ch an outcome! Australia! Rani Mukherjee. SRK, on his just spoil the box-office broth! duck’ after scoring [email protected] part, will say Main Hoon Na to [email protected] ‘I can give up films for the armed forces’ Did you always CELINA nce, I will give up all this for a career in I am being very choosy about the films want to become JAITLEY the armed forces. I sign up for.I want to build a different an actress? Actress How did Bollywood come calling? image with each of my films. I never ever tho- On how and why During the Femina Miss India contest, Which are the projects you are wo- ught of becomi- Feroz Khan had told his friends that I rking on as of now? ng an actress Ev- she entered the would win the crown I am currently working en when I was film industry even before I actually ‘I would love to work on a comedy by Boney modelling, I was won it. After the pagea- with Shah Rukh Khan Kapoor. Then, there is simultaneously nt, he called and offer- Idiot, in which I play a pursuing an aca- ed me a role in Janash- and Hrithik Roshan’ college girl. demic degree. Moreover,I was keen on een. Subsequently, he Do you have any favo- joining the armed forces as four gen- ntest, I was just a month away from ge- came down to meet me. I agreed to do urite co-stars? erations of my family have been in mi- tting into the armed forces. But the co- the film without even reading the scr- I would love to work with Shah Rukh litary service. ntest gave my life a new twist. It meant ipt because it was an honour to work Khan and Hrithik Roshan. In fact, I What is it that made you change yo- good money,a lucrative career and pa- with Feroz Khan. am willing to wait till I get a chance to ur decision? ved the path for me to enter Bollywo- What kind of roles are you looking work with them. When I won the Femina Miss India co- od. But frankly-speaking, given a cha- at in future? SRIYA RAY CHAUDHURI

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