Home seekers have been thronging affordable housing options at exhibitions

The phenomenal response to the recent MHADA scheme was a clear indication of the strong demand for budget homes from Mumbaikars. This trend was further witnessed last weekend at two property exhibitions, one held in the western suburbs and the other, in the central suburbs.

At both places, the stalls offering budget homes witnessed heavy crowds, with visitors making detailed inquiries about the overall cost break-up and finance options available. Site visits were offered by most builders and in some cases accepted on the spot, as the extended three-day weekend provided scope for that as well.

The good days for Marathi won't be far if the masses use the language confidently during their day-to-day work along with the classes, said senior artist and critic VB Deshpande.

He was speaking with DNA on the eve of Marathi Bhasha Diwas celebrated on February 27.

He said, "The countries, which have been created on the basis of language, observe February 22 as International Language Day. However, we observe February 27 as Marathi Bhasha Diwas in Maharashtra to commemorate the birth anniversary of renowned writer Vi Va Shirwadkar alias Kusumagraj, who was very particular about the use of the language."

We started observing the special day ten years ago as Marathi Bhasha Diwas to preserve the language, he said.

A study by International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and the Population Council, New Delhi, has revealed that young men in villages are more likely to have pre-marital sex than thier city counterparts.

But half the youth who had pre-marital sex did not even know that one sexual act was enough for pregnancy to take place. A total of 7,570 married and unmarried women and men between the ages of 15-29 were interviewed.

For someone who is a guest at the wedding the food is the best thing to lookout for. Honestly many go to wedding for good food only and most of the time you are not disappointed with the delicacies laid out. But if you are the one getting married, then for you the best part of marriage is the gifts that people get for you.

However, apart from taking various cost-cutting measures, many are skipping marriages to avoid gifting and go to only those weddings where gifts are not received. (Many of you would be definitely smiling and nodding).

Brahma Kumaris, a charitable organisation, is conducting a series of life counselling sesions, says ASHISH VIRMANI

The Brahma Kumaris are holding a series of life counseling sessions — Rajayoga meditation, as well as techniques on achieving stress-free living, relationship management, achieving happiness and overcoming anger — for the public on three days: February 27, 28 and March 1.

Conducted by Shivani, a leading teacher among the Brahma Kumaris, the Rajayoga sessions teach meditation for healthier living and for greater effectiveness in daily life.

FALGUNI and SHANE PEACOCK on running into Sarah Brown and Erin O'Connor at the London Fashion Week

When Falguni and Shane Peacock decided to go ahead with their participation in the London Fashion Week (LFW), they didn't expect a great response. "We showed there as we didn't want to break the continuity; we had, after all, shown there last season," explains Falguni on the phone from London. So after their show on February 22, while the media responses were positive enough, the buyers too have come calling. "The orders may be less than the last time around, but more than we anticipated," enthuses Shane.