Thursday, October 28, 2010

It’s Truth or Dare, cards and more at pre-Diwali bashes

Not every festival comes with a prelude of revelry, lights and sounds bringing in the celebration as people throw pre-Diwali parties and of course, taash dos. And though exams play spoiler for many during this month, city teens are rearranging their schedules to make time to organise and attend as many of the festivities as possible.

Prashansa Shahani, a 19-year-old is upbeat about the Diwali fun and frolic at her place, “I have pre-Diwali bashes at my place every year and they are oodles of fun. I call friends over and we have games including a round of rummy, but it’s just simple fun with no money involved. There are quizzes and we must play Truth or Dare which is always fun. My parents are very cool about these parties. It’s better than going to a pub because your parents don’t fret about your safety. I’m not into crackers because they pollute, so these bashes are what I look forward to the most, more than the festival itself.”

A combination of the safety factor and there being no curfew, make home the best place to have a party. The card-playing connoisseurs also find an endless stream of enthusiastic co-players. “I attend Diwali parties at my friend’s place every year. I like playing cards and it’s better to play it at such dos rather than anywhere else. I get to play with so many friends which makes it even more fun. Diwali holidays would have been so boring if not for these parties. This is the only time my parents let me really ‘party’ with friends so I love ‘em!” says Mihir Chadda, 17.

As Diwali heralds the party season that peaks at New Year’s, youngsters are also looking to evolve the party venues. This year farmhouses are on the ‘places to be seen’ radar. With large spaces, swimming pools and great locations, the lure of the farmhouse Diwali party is irresistible.

“I like to attend farmhouse parties as there is more space to freak out and if there is a pool, then it just adds to the fun. This year, I’ll be attending two parties at a farmhouse and we’re planning to play cards and end it with a whole bunch of crackers,” says Ajay Ashok, a student of St. Mary’s college.

Source: Deccan Chronicle

Monday, October 25, 2010

Gaming business three times bigger than films market: Rohinton Screwvala


UTV Software Communications has proved its mettle in the media and entertainment industry. Having begun its operations as a serial producer, the company diversified into movie production, gaming and television broadcast business. Of late, the company is focusing on scaling up its gaming business. It has invested around `550 crore till date in gaming business. Though such a huge investment has raised serious doubts among industry observers about the revenue generating capability of the gaming business, the company’s chief executive officer Rohinton Screwvala , is quite optimistic about it. In a conversation with ET Mr Screwvala tells about the company’s future plans as it explores new territories. Excerpts:

                                                                         

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

MLAs holed up at Golden Palms Play Rummy Card Game

The BJP MLAs are making the most of the time that they are spending at the Golden Palms Resport and Spa of filmmaker Sanjay Khan. Not only they are eating, drinking but they say their favorite time pass is playing rummy card game.

No wonder rummy card game is one of the favorite card game whether it is the common Indian or ministers of India. The high court is hearing the case about the disqualification of 11 BJP MLAs and meanwhile the MLAs are enjoying the old Mysore legislators' favourite dishes, which include naati koli saaru (country chicken gravy), boti (diced pieces of mutton) and tale maamsa (head meat curry) along with mudde (ragi ball) at the resort.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Cyber children

Websites that appeal to every taste and hobby help create virtual hang-outs for the young.The number of gaming sites for kids is fast growing in the Indian cyberspace. One of the most recent entrants is Disney, whose Club Penguin launched an Indian website to widen its virtual world where users waddle around as penguins. They can play games, chat and decorate their igloos.

Club Penguin also actively promotes online learning by allowing its user base to create paper-mache artifacts, play memory card games and also encourages real-life interactions between children across the globe logged on to Penguin’s site. Rob Beeston, Asia-Pacific head of Disney Online Studios, explains: “These kids will need to use computers at work later on in their lives. So, why not give them an opportunity early on while they are young adults?”

21 Cards Rummy