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DRAMATIC The show will make an attempt to re-enact the collision of the Titanic

Through dramatic first-hand accounts of survivors and rescuers, watch actual transcripts from the Philippine congressional inquiry into the tragedy of the Titanic. The show will also include archival footage, photographs and make an attempt to re-enact the collision of the ill-fated ship with the iceberg.

Catch Megastructures-Asia Titanic tonight at 9 p.m. on National Geographic channel.

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Marks of identity are not always only about the artwork. In Canada, members of an extreme subculture scar their bodies with scorching hot metal.

For some branders, it is a test of endurance and courage, while for others it is a painful, albeit a unique form of art. Discover shades of identity on Friday at 10 p.m. only on NatGeo.

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The Hindu : y>Carol singing goes back to the days when the homeless sang them. Now, NEETI SARKAR says, it has come to mean different things to different people

Photo: APHAPPINESS FOR ALL Carol singing could be to comfort the aged, to raise money for charity, and also cheer people

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la! This definitely is the season to be jolly and carollers around the city have ushered in the festive season with the most- loved Christmas carols. Believed to be one of the oldest customs in Great Britain, carolling (singing holiday songs) was what beggars did on the streets. Later on, dance accompanied by singing came to be termed as carols. It is only with the passing of time that the word “carol” came to imply Christmas songs.

The actual practice of going door to door singing started as a result of Christmas Carols being banned in the church for a few years by Oliver Cromwell who thought Christmas was to be a solemn day. Today, the tradition still thrives. People of different ages, from different churches, groups and organisations go carol singing house to house. Some do it for charity while others do it for the fun of it. Jacob John, a college student says, “I go carolling with the youth from my church as well as with another group of friends. I particularly like going carol singing because you never know if your singing to an old widow or an orphan would rekindle some hope in their lives. After all, Christmas is about making that difference to people around you.” For some, carol singing has a lot to do with getting into the Yuletide spirit. “I feel the excitement of Christmas when I go carol singing. Every house that you visit is decked up and in the midst of all the…More

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Author and Chef Kylie Kwong talks about mapping a country through its food

Picture Perfect Chef Kylie Kwong discovers specialities of China

In “Kylie Kwong: My China”, the celebrity chef and restaurateur traces her roots in China and comes up with many a tasty find. Aired on Discovery Travel and Living, this nine-part series chronicles Kylie’s travels through China as she discovers its culture through its kitchens. A fourth-generation Australian Chinese she revels in the immensities of the markets and the varieties of ingredients.

This owner of the Billy Kwong restaurant in Sydney, and lover of wine-cooked chicken with ginger, answers questions on her brand of Chinese food.

What is authentic Chinese food how is it different from what you cook?

Well, it’s very different. The Chinese in Australia cook Chinese the way the Australians want it to be. There is nothing authentic about it. Certainly, in China we get the authentic stuff. The array of vegetables that I found in China was just so amazing.

One of the things that I came across in China is how much MSG they use. I don’t use any in my cooking, my cooking is all organic, I do not use any preservatives, additives and added flavours.

That is one of the main differences in my cooking, which I call Australian Chinese cooking and also the quality of produce we have in Australia, the seafood, meat and poultry is much better than in China, because we have a much less polluted physical environment, that really stood out for me.

Your cuisine is classified as ‘modern Chinese’; tell us more about that?

What it means to me is, for example, if you come to my restaurant, we’ve got about 50 items on the menu.

I like sticking to the classics, but where the modern part comes in, is for example, when I do my white cooked chicken, which we all know has been a…More

The Hindu : y>Chanda Pustaka turns five

Chanda Pustaka, the Kannada publishing line has turned five. In these five years, they have published 25 books and won 15 awards.

Today, December 25, they are releasing three books. “Karantajjanigondu Patra” by Sachchidananda Hegde, “Leriyonka” by Prashanth Beechi, and “Hampi Express” by Vasudhendra.

The chief guests on the occasion are K.V. Narayan, Siraj Ahmed, Jayant Kaikini, and Guruprasad Kaaginele. The venue is Institute of World Culture, Basavanagudi, 10.30 a.m.

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Sunil Joshi feels that his fitness and commitment has helped him playcricket for such a long time

Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.Silent giant His dream is to help his team win the Ranji Trophy

With a wide grin, Karnataka coach, Vijay Bharadwaj pointing his finger at Sunil Joshi, said: “This boy bowled well.” That was good natured leg-pulling, as 38 year old Joshi, with an experience of over 100 Ranji matches and some international matches is no novice. He has been the pivot of the Karnataka bowling attack from the 1992-93 season.

Joshi relishes the comment by his current coach, who also happens to his former room mate and is younger by five years. He says: “I agree with him.”

It has been a season of milestones and for Joshi. In his 100th Ranji match, he played a vital role and with a match haul of 11 wickets, powered Karnataka to a victory over Maharashtra. His exploits helped Karnataka reach the quarter-final round. Joshi is quite upbeat. He quips: “I am thrilled. I still have the same excitement and commitment while playing cricket. My enthusiasm has not diminished at all. I guess I have been in the team for nearly 16 years due to my desire to keep performing for the State and my obsession with fitness. At my age, I need to be fit to keep bowling long spells,” Joshi says.

How does he maintain focus, even as many of his contemporaries have called it a day from cricket? Joshi retorts: “Cricket has made me what I am today. Of course, the blessings of my parents, complete support of my wife and son Aryan, have helped me sustain my performance. I have not forgotten the early morning train journeys to Hubli from Gadag, nearly 20 years ago, when I was chasing my dream to be an established spinner. I feel that those trips have shaped…More

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The media, especially the broadcast segment has come under fire for its coverage of certain aspects of the Mumbai attacks. The voices calling for imposing a code on broadcasters, especially while covering hostage situations has been growing.

The recent incident, where local tv channels went overboard, following unconfirmed reports of children falling sick, after being administered polio drops also resulted in mass hysteria and panic, as people rushed to hospital. Miscreants had a free run and damaged valuable hospital property.

MetroPlus asked city residents whether a regulatory body was needed for the media. Most agreed that media must exercise utmost restraint, especially in sensitive matters and a regulatory body would help in achieving the said objective. They conceded that media freedom must not be curbed, as that was the basic essence of the democracy.

Some felt that the media should act in a mature manner and refrain from hyperventilating and over emphasising on the impact of a single act. We sample some of the responses

No restrictions must be placed on the media. It should be allowed to function as an independent body and report events objectively. The media should not get jingoistic and take official versions at face value. It should verify facts, before telecasting.

Mahsood

Sales officer

Some restrictions must be placed on the media. Unnecessary rumours must not be cast into news flashes, like the one on the polio incident created a great degree of chaos and overburdened hospitals. Care must be taken during hostage crisis as well.

Abdul

Auto driver

The coverage of the Mumbai attacks and the polio controversy has raised many questions about the functioning of the media. The broadcast media must verify facts, before showing such news items. A code of conduct is definitely required, for the media.

Rachael

Student

The media played into the hands of the perpetrators of the carnage at Mumbai. They showed bodies strewn…More