STARs ON THE superSTAR

JUNE
Actress
I was quite thrilled to know that I was on the list of Didi?s personal invitees! So, I was just thinking when the card would arrive. The day before yesterday, just as I was stepping out of my house to go to Didi?s place, I received a card from the chief secretary (Samar Ghosh). I was quite thrilled to see my name and see the words ?swearing-in ceremony 2011?.

Mamata Banerjee is all smiles after being sworn in as the first woman chief minister of Bengal. (Amit Datta)This was the first time I would be going to Raj Bhavan for a formal ceremony ? and that too for Didi?s oath! I could not sleep last night. I was excited to the power of infinity! I finally fell asleep in the morning and woke up at 9am! I rushed to my mother, had my cup of coffee, wore my sari and left.
Green is definitely the colour of paribartan. So I wanted to wear something in green. I knew my mom had a nice South Cotton with a silk border. I borrowed it. That sari was perfect.
The North gate was so crowded, it took me almost 35 minutes to reach it. But there was such a positive vibe. The moment I got down from the car, they all started shouting, ?Junedi, Junedi!? It felt good.
Once inside, everything was in order. As the national anthem started, I kept telling my friends, ?Aami toh kende phelbo!? I was overwhelmed, there was a lump in my throat throughout.
When Didi took the dais, we forgot that we were inside Raj Bhavan and we went ?Didi?ooh! Didi!? But that is Didi. That is her USP. You just cannot hold your emotions! There were tears of joy.
Didi is such a special person. Despite her busy schedule, she finds time for every one of us. I am so moved by her grit, her perseverance, her patience. After so much humiliation, she has fought her way without a godfather and today she has achieved her goal. This is so inspiring and motivating.
I felt that Didi was representing all of us?us women and everyone who has struggled in life. I think she symbolises all people who want to make it on their own.
Everyone present there was happy and thrilled. You could see that. Genuinely happy! I was there right till the end.
Witnessing the sea of people in front of Writers? (Buildings), I felt that Didi?s struggle has had a fairytale ending.
Rupam islam

                       Singer
The best thing is the way people from every section of society have been invited to the swearing-in. No other government has done that. I also liked how every MLA gave out their phone numbers (in Metro) to allow people to stay in touch with their representatives directly. Now, development has to take place, especially in the far-flung rural areas.
Jhulan Goswami
Cricketer
This is the first time I have been invited to a swearing-in ceremony. It?s great to see how constitutional matters are executed?. I hope sports infrastructure now gets a boost. There is immense sporting talent in the rural areas; may they get a platform. Without proper infrastructure their talent cannot blossom. A proper sports policy is the need of the hour.
Saoli Mitra
Theatre veteran
We had taken to the streets after Nandigram not with any political agenda but because we felt that innocent people should not be tortured and killed. Being witness to this transformation is such a great feeling. Bengal deserved this change.
Gurbux Singh
Hockey great
There is hope in the air today?. Bengal has gone down in every field. Students and job-seekers are leaving. I hope those who have brought in change will bring about a transformation in the state. Mamata is the fit person for this. The other day I told her that she is a one-man army!
Supriya Chowdhury
Actress
I am delighted. Mamata is like my daughter. I pray to god that she succeeds in doing her job well.
Koel Mullick
Actress
It is a fantastic feeling. I want Bengal to develop. The education sector must be worked on so that the brain drain is stopped. Intellectuals must come forward and contribute. As a citizen, I want peace. Hence the choice of my white cotton sari!
Ranjit Mullick
Actor
This change was needed. Let us live and let live. I have full faith in Mamata?s honesty, integrity and ability as an administrator. Didn?t you see how she controlled the situation on the day of the results? There was not a single clash across Calcutta.
Jeet
Actor
It is a moment of pride. I have experienced Didi?s journey from up close as I was a resident of Kalighat. Bengal really needed change. I want to wish her the best for the future.
Swastika Mukherjee
Actress
When Mamata Banerjee was taking the oath I had butterflies in my stomach. It is a delightful feeling to have a woman heading our state. I have always been a fan of hers, because of her guts and the way she steers clear of the beaten track.
Chuni Goswami
Football great
We witnessed history today. Bengal got its first woman CM. The way Mamata has reached her goal after struggling all alone over the years is an inspiration to the young generation. I admire her honesty, courage and sense of commitment. I hope she will turn the state around from the disastrous rut it has fallen into.
Swastika Mukherjee and Prosenjit were among the Tollywood stars spotted at the swearing-in. Pictures by Sudeshna BanerjeeNabaneeta Dev Sen
Author and teacher
It was the first time that I attended a swearing-in ceremony. Usually I watch it on TV. But there was so much excitement in the air this time that I felt like going. It was nice to see people from all backgrounds at the programme. Mamata has made a great start. One hopes that she will manage to retain this connection with people. At the end, we were ready to leave when Mamata and her entourage were passing by. On seeing me, she stepped forward, arms outstretched and a warm smile on her lips. I was surprised as we have never met before. I also extended my arms. There were no words exchanged but the gesture really made me feel welcome. It was a bonus that I?d have missed if I had watched the programme on TV.
Rituparno Ghosh
Film-maker and actor
There was an aesthetic dignity in the function, from the stage decor to the music. I liked the fact that the CPM leaders, from Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to Biman Bose, were ushered in very gracefully. This courtesy felt very nice. I also liked the way Mamata spoke, in clear Bangla.
Sanjiv Goenka
Industrialist
There is an air of expectation as a party with a different ideology has come to power. Mamataji has inspired every cross-section of society. She has this unique ability to connect with people. I am confident that she will lead us to a development-oriented Bengal.
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Personality & skin type linked, says survey

HAMBURG (Germany): There exists a direct link between biography and personality of a person, said an international survey conducted by skin care company Nivea. The findings were revealed at the 100th anniversary celebrations of the company last week.

Over 8,000 men and women from eight countries were interviewed to discover the psychological relation between a person's biography, character, and their own perception of their skin type. According to Ansgar Hoelscher, head of Beiersdorf, the holding company of 'Nivea' said: "The skin isn't just affected by genetic make-up, climate and diet, but also by mood, emotions and personality type. Based on the interviews, we have been able to define five types of skin personalities." The five different personalities found in the survey include, the 'doer', who is pro-active, the 'thinker', the ambivalent 'seeker', the 'helper' and the 'moralist'. "These are key findings which we will be incorporating in the development of new products," Hoelscher told TOI.

The survey said that of the two largest skin personalities internationally-about 30% of the people-are 'doers' and 27% are 'thinkers'. The 'doers' are the most active of all the skin personalities and tend to have oily or shiny skin. On the other hand, thinkers tend to be more introvert and pragmatic with skin type being normal. The third most widespread skin personality is 'seekers' - accounting for 12%. They are highly intuitive and strive for recognition, the survey said. Eleven per cent of the people are 'helpers' who enjoy life and take on social responsibility. These are the people whose skin is sensitive and prone to irritations. The smallest skin personality is 'moralists' at six per cent. They lack power in their personality and are most introverted type. They tend to have dry skin.

(The correspondent visited Hamburg on an invitation from Beiersdorf, the holding company of Nivea)

 

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