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BRAINPLEX, HYDERABAD

If your child comes from school only to mess up its room or have a tiff with its sibling, you'll be wise to relieve your little one of after-school blues and keep it engrossed in a fun learning activity. Brainplex, a centre for school children from kindergarten to eighth grade, may have the solution you are looking for.

It is not just about making learning fun but also about helping young students pick up the ropes at their own pace. In the process, the child also finds its niche. The centre uses a software product originally developed at Stanford University in the USA as a learning tool. It is the first of its kind in India. Says Vikram Arumilli, the young Director of the Centre, who was a student of the University himself, "When a child steps in, we set the software to a certain level depending on his grade and the current knowledge base he has (we consult the parents for that). The software throws up queries at him on all subjects and as the child gets the answers right, the levels go up by themselves. He will perform separately on each subject, so he'll be able to know his strengths and weaknesses." But there is no ceiling on his learning, a child protégée can well solve eighth grade problems at a tender age ? the software makes everything accessible. The tests are not the gruelling ones your school-goer will want to avoid ? they are all about exciting word puzzles and reading exercises.

The kids can actually crack tests and treat themselves to goodies. Vikram points to a bundle of toy dollars and says, "The young students can earn these as rewards and convert them into gifts." And I see a counter at the entrance decked up with gifts. There are tests so that children learn to express their ideas creatively in writing. They can write their own essays in any way they choose to and teachers evaluate their performance with no set rules. Exercises such as these are taken up sans the software. Says Vikram, "We are planning to hire more teachers who are motivated enough to help these children after their regular teaching hours at school. We are also looking at tie ups with schools." And he points out that they will some time later consider operating at different schools' premises even as they retain their brand identity there.

DESICOUTURE.NET, HYDERABAD

You may not want to drop in at every mall in the city for your wardrobe. There is an easier way: online store DesiCouture.net is aimed at fashion savvy bharatiya naris who know want they want. The website also has an e-magazine that features designers and has them answering questions regularly. You have a slug called friend's café where, every month, a chic celebrity talks about fashion preferences and what

it means.

As you log on, you find collections of both premium and prêt outfits for sale. They are categorised according to label, fabric and prices. There is evening wear or just casual outfits like bubble frocks or tunics that you can slip on for a date or a lunch with buddies. The funky tops, say, the pleated ones and tees are also worth a try in the prêt lines section. The cocktail dresses have unusual colour combinations like pinks and yellows. Tips are also given on how to accessorise each product.

All of these designs are for a busy woman who wants to be well-turned out without having to try ten outfits before deciding on one. The creations are by ace designers like Neeta Lulla, Shantanu and Nikhil, Neha Agarwal, and Anand Bhushan, who are either regulars at Lakme and Wills Fashion weeks or have had their successful stints on these branded ramps. Every month the site displays a brand new couture collection by such famed Indian talent. Ethnic festive collections are unveiled on different occasions that can be customised to suit your style sense.

As there are designers with different sensibilities on board, the outfits are just as varied. But throughout the bling is played down with the focus on cuts. As an inaugural offer the site will be shipping free anywhere in India till February 2010.

SAKHI, HYDERABAD

Sakhi by Chandra's, launched recently in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, offers the ultimate browsing and, of course, shopping experience for the sari connoisseur. What is striking about the collection at Sakhi's is an effortless fusion of traditional craftsmanship and fabrics, with contemporary textile techniques to give it that exclusive appeal, along with an edge of timeless elegance. The creation of mother-daughter duo Chandra and Neeta, Sakhi which has its flagship store in Bangalore, also has salwars, fabrics and accessories, with its mainstay being saris. For net-savvy shoppers, there is also an online store www.sakhifashions.com

We browse through traditional Kanjeevaram saris in rich jewel hues, both in single solid colors and double shades, with appliqué work ?pallus', French cutwork embroidery or Banarasi brocade work, to give them a contemporary edge. There are tussars, silks, chiffons, georgettes, crepes, organzas and cottons too, with intricate textile techniques applied to them like cut work, block print, kalamkari, badla, mirror work, sequin work and other embroidery.

The luxuriant Kanchi saris as well as some tussars and silks feature in the bridal collection, while the more light-weight chiffons and georgettes in more muted and softly-diffused colours, are part of the day wear collection. What sets the collection apart from most ubiquitous sari collections is the use of interesting techniques like the partly pallu where the pleats, pallu and the body of the sari are distinguished by contrasts in colour and design. A pleasant aspect of shopping here is the extremely friendly pricing, and especially for a discernible good quality. SAKHI, Plot No 1428, Road No 12, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad Contact: (040) 44564644/23386233

SVM@36, HYDERABAD

Fun is truly redefined as it gets a whole new avatar. Having fast-paced fun is not an amateurish activity in SVM@36, it is a way of life as you are offered a whole gamut of activities to choose from when you enter this multi-storied entertainment complex. You can hang out with your friends or get onto those virtual gaming consoles for some adrenaline rush.

There is a perfect package for all fun-lovers. There is a gaming floor, a mega bowling alley, a multi-cuisine food court, a peppy party zone, and space to relax in and just be. True to its tagline, ?Entertainment Highpoint,' SVM is all about gaming, food and fun.

The gaming zone called Rush has the latest console games. There are games from action to arcade, from adventure to personalised, from one-on-one match ups to multiplayer tournaments. A whole family can well get glued to these fun spots. Sample this list: Kill Zone, Guitar Hero 5, Counter Strike, Halo 3 and Warcraft. These are just a few of the offerings on board. The treat gets a lot more hyperkinetic as you move on to the bowling alley.

The sprawling food court, FAB has in-house brands that cater to every cultural palate in a cosmopolitan city. These are especially designed proprietary brands that carry a distinctive stamp even while being constrained to compact stalls. K&B which stands for Kebab and Biryani, offers authentic Hyderabadi fair. There is South Town, where you can savour crisp dosas and tangy chutneys; NH7 has Mughlai and other northern delicacies; and Bandi, which has street food. If you want more fun, head for the terrace, where Bollywood choreographers are expected soon to groom young talent. The Marketing Manager, Nandini Raja, says that choreographers, Bosco and Caesar are expected to take charge. SVM@36, Jubilee hills Road No- 36,

Hyderabad. Ph.: 040- 66229999