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| Wednesday,
October 30, 2002, Chandigarh, India |
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GLITZ & GLAMOUR SOMETHING sure is fishy about the ravishing turquoise-blue lehenga neatly hanging under synthetic day light in a garment house, Dharkan realises. Tapering at the neck, extensive at the chest, narrow at the waist, almost straight till the knees, the attire opens suddenly into a wide foundation just like the form of a fish. Apprehensive, yet excited, she picks up the stuff in her fair lucid fingers, trots into the trying room, slips into the dress, pleased with her charming looks, purchases the attire and walks out of the shop for detonating roaring excitement at the impending Divali bash. Yes, you have guessed it right. Fish-cut lehengas are the latest scream among city damsels for Divali celebrations. If you do not believe it, go to any of the fabric stores in the northern sectors, or even in the southern ones. You will discover flappers asking for the stuff, passionately. “It’s all decided,” says under-grad Dharkan. “The traditionally modern damsels can wear shining lycra tops or spaghettis over cool Capri pants. For me, and my modernly traditional friends nothing less than a fish-cut lehengas will suffice”. In good old days, when ostentation was still not a virtue, “new clothes” were all that the revelers asked for during Divali. Scarlet, it goes without saying, was preferred. “Everyone was wearing new clothes - I still remember writing this in an essay on Divali when I was in school,” says fashion designer Ramola Thakur. “The statement, I am sure, was not divorced from reality in those days of modesty”. Recalling her own childhood days, she asserts, “Every Divali, I would fight with my mother to buy me something nice in red for wearing in the evening and for visiting near-yet-no-so-dear relatives with gift boxes. That’s all. Shining shararas and short tops with boot-cut trousers were terms unknown to the little ones”. That was years ago. Things drastically changed in early 90’s. Open India skies brought fashion to the bedrooms, and closets, through music channels with exclusive programmes on life and style. “This is not all,” Ramola reveals. “As our own Indi-pop stars, clad in conventional dresses cut in contemporary style, pushed Madonna and Cyndi Lauper out of the small screen, residents started imitating their manner. Became fashion conscious in the process. Started demanding the latest in vogue”. Little wonder, eager eyes looking for Divali wear rest on the carbuncle blue or delightful red lehenga with dabka, kundan, moti and sippy work around the neck and bottom of the shirt. “The best thing about the stuff,” says another fashion designer Pankaj Gulati, “is that it is not limited to festival season only. The lehengas are heavy, no doubt about it, but do not look gaudy. So you can wear it at a casual party without being conscious of disapproving eyes”. Another thing. The stuff is not “very expensive”. “You can buy a fish-cut lehenga by pulling just Rs 3,000 from your wallet,” Pankaj claims. Well folks, three thousand bucks is not exactly cheap but the bargain is not bad if you can wear it again and again. Anyway, happy Divali. |
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TIP TOP Do not go in for impressive present - ones that would rouse her mom’s suspicion. “Wall paintings are exciting, but then she will have to do a lot of explaining. The reason is simple - no one picks up expensive sceneries just like that. Parents will immediately come to know it’s a gift of love,” says Neeraj Sharma, card and gift shop owner. “Try purchasing items she can buy otherwise also, but hesitates in picking them up. Good perfumes and garments of the right size and hue are always appreciated”. If you have limited resources, do not be disheartened. One present worth Rs 200 may not be notable, but four inexpensive, yet remarkable, gifts costing the same would surely “build up your image of a lavish spender”. “Always remember - you do not have be a prince to act like one,” asserts Ravi Kant Verma, a young executive with a multinational organisation. “Instead of buying a shining Lycra top of poor quality for just Rs 200, go in for a cute little trinkets costing about Rs 50. Pick up a bouquet for the same amount. With the rest of the dough, buy hair bands and clips, along with a nice folder for carrying notes. The more, the better — that should be your policy”. After you have selected, do not forget to wrap up the souvenir in cute imposing paper. “Show off sometimes is as essential as the gesture,” insists Verma. “Even if the product is good, no one is going to accept it unless the packaging is striking - that’s the basic principle of marketing. So make sure that the award is nicely wrapped up. Also, tie it up with a ribbon. It looks inspiring”. If you are presenting a bouquet of love, carry it not like a baton, but like a child, close to your heart. “Flowers are tender,” says florist Kapil Kumar. “They should be handled with care and affection both by the donor and the acceptor. As soon as you receive the bundle of joy, remove the cellophane wrapping before placing it in a vase”. Other gifts should also be opened and appreciated in front of the giver. Just make sure you do not appear “hungry to open the covering”. “If you like the gift, air your feelings,” asserts Kapil. “If you do not, still welcome it. But do not praise it so much that he gets another one for you”. So kids, be careful, but casually. And do not circulate the gifts, it's bad manners. |
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CHILLOUT ZONE If heaven is a place on earth, here it is — that's the impression you get on bash evenings as damsels in glittering short tops embellished with stars over boot-cut trousers descend on the polished dance floor to twirl all around with guys in biceps revealing T-shirts. It begins a little late in the evenings. Ten o'clock is the right time to be there. Before entering make sure you jaunty jalopy is parked "accurately" or else you will come back and find scores of cars behind it. Another thing. Remember to carry you invitation card, along with a dancing queen, lest the baton-holding burly guards, after terming you a stag, do not allow you to enter. Anyway, inside it's a "whole new world". As bhangra music echoes against the decked up walls, there is a wild rush for the dance floor. Pushing their way through the jostling crowd, the guys struggle to create space for their shaking and shouting partners excited to lose their blues. Forgetting instructions mom issued just before giving permission to go out, the dames too join in the party. Lyrics escape their painted luscious lips as they cut foot loose after adjusting the chain belts loosely hanging from around their reed-thin waists. As they wipe beads of perspiration from their fair brows with perfumed handkerchiefs, some close dancing follows. His muscular arms slips around her waist as she gently rests her head on his broad chest before saying good-bye to the world of inhibitions. As they rattle and roll on the floor, others — not so lucky — glare at the dancing couple with envious eyes. So guys, if you really want to live your life, Blues is the place for you. |
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VENUS SPEAKS SHE loves eating, but still is reed-thin. Ask her the secret of success in keeping off the excess and she blushes like a rose in May. "No, I don not go in for
elaborate workouts," Femina Miss India finalist-cum-ramp model Radhika Bajaj asserts. But after all she must be doing something to keep herself fit and fine. "Well, I dance my way to health," she reveals. "I am basically a dancer at heart and burn loathsome calories by twirling all around the floor after switching on the music system. As impressive speakers boom out the latest numbers, I let myself loose and allow rhythm to take control". And food? "I love munching fruits," she croons. "They fill up my little stomach without giving me the tension of gaining weight. I hate gulping milk, but I guess fruits compensate for it". Alright kids, if you cannot wake up early in the morning and go for long walk, even jog, dancing is recommended for you, strictly. |
Colourful start to youth fest Chandigarh, October 29 The programme began with the college shabad, “Ho tumri karo aas, prah more kab gale lagavenge”, while students from SD College presented bhajan “Charkha chale surt birhan ka”. Earlier, the session was inaugurated by the Home Secretary, Mr R.S. Gujral. He urged students to participate in cultural activities with zeal for all-round development of their personalities. He appreciated the efforts of the college in organising the festival. The Principal of the host college, Mr P.S. Sangha, welcomed the chief guest. The results for the morning session are as follows: Shabad/Bhajan: GC-11 (1) SGGS-26 (2), GGDSD-32 (3), Individual: Rajan-GGDSD-32; Group song: DAV-10, GGDSD-32; Poster-making: Ashima-GC (1) Gursimran Singh-GGDSD-32 (2), Prabhjot Singh-GGDSD-32 (3); Clay modelling: Sharanjit Singh-Govt. College of Art (10) (1), Yogesh Kumar-GC-46 (2), Bhuvika Sharma-GCA-10 (3); cartoon-making: Bharat Sindwani-GC-46 (1), Parveen Kalra-SGGS-26 (2), Gurdeep Kaur-Govt College of Nursing-PGI. On-the-spot painting contest: Manjari Aggarwal-GCA-10 (1), Rajiv Subhal-GCA-10 (2), Ajay Singh-GC-46 (3), Still life: Vijay-GCA-10 (1), Narinder-GGDSD-32 (2), Priyank-GC-46 (3); Drawing from life: Parminder Singh-GCA-10 (1), Anantbir Singh-GGDSD-32 (2), Hardeep Singh-GCA- 10 (3), Collage-making: Manju Rana-GGDSD-32 (1), Parveen Kaur-SGGS-26 (2), Maninder K Brar-SGGS-26 (3); Rangoli-Pooja Jain-GGDSD-32 (1), Sherry-GC-46 (2), Geetanjali-GNC-PGI (3). |
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Enthusiasm
adds zing to school function Chandigarh, October 29 The show began with “Sarswati vandana”, an invocation to the goddess of learning, followed by the opening dance item “Jai jai matram” by the senior students. The tiny tots, dressed colourfully matched step for step with the rhythms of the western music. Patriotism, too, was well presented by the students in “Miniature India” — a dance that gave the audience a deep insight into the diversified culture of India — transporting them from the hills of Himachal to the back waters of Orissa to the deserts of Rajasthan. The medley of events that followed comprised a Rajasthani dance — dholna, Punjabi ballet — banjara and finally culminated with an one-act play “Toya”. The annual report highlighting the achievements of the school was read out by the Principal, Ms Saroj Gupta, and meritorious students were felicitated with mementoes and prizes. Speaking on the occasion, Mr D.S. Mangat, Director, Public Instruction, who was the chief guest lauded the hard work put in by the students and the staff. The evening was completed with an energetic bhangra performance by the senior students. The celebrations will conclude tomorrow. |
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Trophy for Mohali school Chandigarh, October 29 Though the trophy was awarded to “Antar Atma ki Awaz” by students of the host school which passed it on to the second best team and instead settled for first position in the contest. The second place went to St Soldier’s for “Certificate ki Musibat”. The third place was shared by Army School, Chandi Mandir, for “Aazadi ke dewanay” and “Hum Larege Saathi” by DAV senior Secondary School, Panchkula. In mono acting, Pankaj of DAV-Ambala city was first, Prabhjot of GMSSS-33 was second and jatin of DAV-Mohali was third. . The chief guest, Mr Kamal Arora, Principal, Tagore Niketan College, said life was full of problems but one should not be disheartened by them and instead should deal with these on priority. |
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Students’ fight over namesakes Chandigarh, October 29 A controversy over the filing of nominations by two candidates with the same name, Sunil Kumar of BA II, being projected as presidential candidate by the Khalsa College Students Union, and Sunil Kumar of BA III in the race for the post as an independent, erupted on the college campus. While the college management had its the hands full managing entries for the youth festival, the dharna at the college gate by KCSU activists came as a bolt from the blue. The protesting students alleged that a rival party contesting from the college had put him up as a dummy candidate to spoil their chances of a win. Says Amit Wadhwa: “We approached the Principal with a request to modify the name of either of the two candidates. He, however, said this would be done on the election day. How does the college expect us to inform our supporters to distinguish our candidate from the other? This must be sorted out well before elections.” The protesting students claimed that though the “dummy” candidate was named “Sunil Tewari” according to certificates, he had filed nominations as “Sunil Kumar” to confuse college voters. When contacted, the Principal, Mr PS Sangha, said though the matter had been brought to his notice, there was no rule to bar candidates of the same name to stand for elections.” After tomorrow, when the withdrawal date gets over and the students still have an objection, the matter would be referred to the election committee of the college.” |
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Bar Council poll Chandigarh, October 29 As many as 117 candidates, who are in the fray, today launched a massive campaign in various districts and tehsils of Punjab and Haryana as their nomination papers were found to be correct during scrutiny by the Returning Officer of the Bar Council yesterday. Some of the prominent advocates contesting elections, include the Council Chairman, Dr Anmol Rattan Singh Sidhu; the Honorary Secretary, C.M. Munjal, Mr G.K. Chathrath, Mr N.K. Nanda, Mr Navkiran Singh, Mr Bhim Sen Sehgal, Mr B.S. Billing, Mr H.S. Gill, Mr Daya Chaudhary, Mr Paramjit Singh Goraya, Mr Balwan Singh Suhag and Ms Kiran Bala Jain. Other issues which are being raised by the advocates in their agenda are —ban of post retirement re-employment of retired High Court judges to any tribunal, commission or any office of profit by the State and Central government or the public sector undertaking, Junior advocates to the designated senior advocates be given full fee charged by the senior which would end the exploitation of juniors. Every junior should be given minimum Rs 5000 per month by the senior advocates, an adequate chambers for the advocates practising in the district courts and High Court. Talking to The Tribune the Chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, Mr Anmol Rattan Sidhu, who is also contesting election said he “believes in constrictive work and has raised issues related to the welfare of the advocates. Giving details about the agenda, Mr Sidhu added that the main issue on the agenda is construction of the “Law Bhavan” in Chandigarh, implementation of the advocates welfare funds, and alliance of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana with International Bar Association. Mr N.K. Nanda, President of the District Bar Association, Chandigarh, contesting bar councils election said, “It is very unfortunate that many of the advocates practising in the various districts of the Punjab and Haryana do not have better place for practice. Giving details about agenda for the election —Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh authorties should provide chamber to each advocate enrolled with the bar council, young advocates should be provided scholarship by the bar council as well as state they belong. Another candidate, Mr Navkiran Singh, general secretary of the Human Rights International, said the bar council could play a vital role to prevent corruption in the judiciary and also to guide young advocates. Mr Navkiran said main issue on his agenda were — stipend for junior advocates, to stop corruption in the judiciary. Mr Bhim Sen Sehgal, advocate contesting bar council’s election has raised issue of corruption in the judiciary, better facilities for the young advocates and ban of post-retirement re-employment of retired High Court judges to any Tribunal, commission or any office of profit by the State and Central goverenment or the public sector undertaking. |
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DISTRICT COURTS Chandigarh, October 29 Police remand Tejinder, arrested by the CBI in a case of cheating and forgery from Hisar, was today produced in the court of UT Chief Judicial Magistrate. The court remanded him to police custody till October 31. It was alleged that the accused along with two others were involved in forgery of amount worth Rs 2.34 lakh. |
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Jazzy comes out with ‘Tera Roop’ THE crown prince of bhangra now brings you “Tera Roop”. Born in Punjab and raised in Canada, the ‘transatlantic superstar has introduced a fresh image to the world of traditional bhangra music. Since his debut album “Ghugian da Jora” in 1994, Jaswinder Singh Bains (Jazzy B) has become one of the most important names in Punjabi music world of modern times. Along side music producer Sukhshinder Shinda, Jazzy B has vocalised a new sound and style on “Tera Roop”. The new album has been released simultaneously in London and India.
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‘Pavas’
fetches Kukkal award Chandigarh, October 29 The other award-winning works are: Bheem Malhotra’s “Foggy morning”, Ashutosh Raman’s “September 2002”, Rupinder Buttar’s “Rainy Day — II” and Sadhna Sangar’s “Moods of Monsoon — II”. Two special prizes were also announced for Sangeeta Singh’s work “Baramasa” and Seema Katoch’s painting “Season of flowers”. All selected paintings will adorn the special calendar printed every year by the Bank of Punjab. |
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CARDS can let your little secret out. If her mom does not know about your “friendship”, the neatly tucked away card, lying to be discovered in some remote corner of the closet, can lead to "unnecessary trouble". Avoid it. Buy gifts instead on Divali. Otherwise also, intellectuals says “action speaks louder than words”. But before you go to the arcade looking for one, listen to what our experts have to say about gift etiquettes.
TEARING excitement breaks lose as exhilarated figures, illuminated by colourful intelligent lights, sway to the rhythmic beat of thumping music in city's night club — Blues.