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Sensitive skin
TECH TALK Write to Renee
FILM REVIEW
Hand in hand on Bullets
MATKA CHOWK
All-in-one
Dancing way to fitness
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Glam-tots For so many young innocents looming in wigs and backless dresses, the Rose Prince and Princess “pageant” was the first step towards flowering into models, says Saurabh Malik SHE trots down the path paving its way into a pavilion through the lush green lawns of Zakir Rose Garden in an immaculate white peasant top over floral skirt of the same hue. As the overhead speakers blare out the latest hits, Sarika Duggal (name changed) adjusts her red-hair wig to complete the picture of poise and perfection. Living life in the glamorous lane, she is not a model, but one of the 450 blooming contestants participating in the Rose Prince and Princess contest held on Saturday morning as a part of the on-going Festival of Gardens. For her and so many others, the competition is the first step into the tinsel world of glamour, and perhaps modeling. Little wonder, gold bangles with tiny bells jingle as they tie silky brown tresses with floral bands before admiring their flowery images in the hand-held mirrors. To a discerning mind, it all appears so strange. After all, giggling girls under the age of three are supposed to pet Barbie dolls, instead of dabbing cheek paint and dressing up like contestants for the Miss India pageant. But to them, it is all very natural. As the afternoon sun tries to peep through the slits in the pavilion, they wait for their turn outside the make-shift chambers of the judges, some of them in strapless gowns with long slits on either side. Tired of standing long hours in high heel slip-ons, they shift weight from one leg to another. Some others adjust star-studded hair bands or smoothen silky tresses with automatic hands. You realise within minutes that the young mothers have taken great pains to ensure “everything is just fine” by wiping clean the tender supple faces of their daughters before reapplying a thin layer of blush-on or lipstick. Standing there, Sector 48 resident Tanya Mankoo (name changed) admits taking her daughter to a saloon for getting the split ends trimmed. “I know many others who have ordered a Priyanka Chopra cut for their little ones,” she whispers. As she talks, you realise that the boys too are in the little race for fame. Gently, yet vigorously, they comb their wet-set hair before adjusting the hats and dark sun glasses. Their attire takes you by surprise. For, some are clad in black sherwanis with rich embroidery work. Or else, in florescent T-shirts over regular denims with a tote bag dangling from across the shoulders. Looking at them from close quarters, city-based sociologist Ramneeta Singh says, “It’s all very simple. You have young mothers brought up when Ash and Sushmita Sen made it big. They believe in glamour and want their kids to look splendid too….” That’s the way it is.
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No chickening out DON'T chicken out at the thought of having non-vegetarian foodstuff. For conveying the message, the All-India Poultry Development and Services Private Limited and other organisations are offering platter full of scrumptious chicken for just Rs 10. And judging from the response, you can hardly say people in this part of the region are scared of landing down with the bird-flu. Well, it you haven’t tasted spice-sprinkled deep fried chicken, it’s still not late. Just drive down the Parade Ground in Sector 17 for the ‘Exhibition of Seasons’. At one end, you will hear the wake-up-to-the-truth call, loud and clear. The whiff is unmistakable. As you stand there, the aroma of tender chicken marinated in spices lures you towards the stall. The tang mingles with unmistakable hint of pepper to give the taste of deep-fried delicacy. A word of caution folks! Be prepared to shift your weight from one leg to another while waiting for your turn in the queue to lay your hands on crisp from outside, soft and juicy from inside chicken. For so many visitors are simply unwilling to let go the opportunity of tasting excitement that also at a price equal to that of a cold drink bottle. “I wish they set up more such stalls in and around Chandigarh,” says Mohali-based Dr Amarjit Singh. Describing himself as an ardent chicken eater, he asserts, “For 40 years, I have been enjoying chicken twice daily. But have never eaten so much for so little”. Filling up the plates, Marketing Manager of the poultry development company Sandeep Bhatia asserts: The intention is to create awareness among the masses about the benefits of eating chicken and to remove all apprehensions about bird flu”. Flashing a smile, he asserts: “Cooked well, it’s absolutely safe. No doubt about it. Otherwise also, no case of bird-flu has been reported from this part of the region. So you can pick up your plate and enjoy the treat”. Sounds delicious! You can give it a try.
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Sensitive skin SENSITIVE skin has been treated as a sensitive topic until recently; the sensitive skinned received sympathy because of their irritatingly-persistent burning, or itching sensation, which often never exhibits any visible symptom. Minute cracks that develop are not visible to the naked eye, allowing hostile irritants to penetrate down into the dermis. The new diagnostic tool, Doppler Ultrasound can trace the problem by tracing the increased blood flow. Also it shows the traces of body’s inflammatory protein, histamine in irritated areas. Dry skin can make you feel very uncomfortable; especially your face can look very dull and grey. It’s often too flaky around the nose and develops fine lines which can give you aged appearance. The problem often occurs when the protein barrier of oil in the lower level of skin starts to break down and water evaporates from the skin into the air. You can’t put your finger on one cause as there are number of things that can destroy the barrier. The cause could be genetic, cold temperatures, central heating and a diet low in fat. Sensitive skin becomes worse as we get older. The main factors that influence this are; tiny cracks that appear on the surface which open the door to irritants, UV rays penetrate deeper into dehydrated skin resulting in the skin thinning due to sun damage and ageing. Dryness a natural side- effect compounds the problem. Sensitive skin is most reactive when a woman is aged about 45-50, skin gets thinner and also there are hormonal challenges to cope with. Surveys in the West reveal that by midlife women are using 15-20 products, containing as many as 200 different chemicals everyday. When skin encounters so many chemicals there are increased chances of developing a reaction. Sensitivity is linked to a disruption of the skin’s ‘barrier-function’ – too much exfoliation, harsh cleansing or lack of moisturiser during brutal winter can all affect the skin barrier. Sensitive skin must stay away from aggressive skin care as when the skin is exposed to potential irritants it tries to defend itself by releasing substances that destroy collagen and elastin, the vital proteins which support the skin. The moisturiser you use can make the difference between dry skin and perfect skin. I believe more is more when it comes to moisturizing dry skin.
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TECH TALK FAIR, slim, beautiful, minimum 5 feet 5 inches tall, convent educated, homely girl with good family values required for a handsome Engineer boy, 26, 5 feet 10 inches tall, earning six-figure salary. Contact so and so at ... Reads a typical newspaper matrimonial ad. A lot of Indian parents, in a very earnest bid to secure their child’s eternal happiness have at some point or the other turned to the good old newspaper matrimonial services much to their children’s dismay. It’s only much later that one finds out that the handsome engineer wasn’t so handsome after all, was quite repulsive on the contrary. Experiences vary, so much so that while some swear by the success rate, others cringe at the very mention of the word “homely” in these ads, the famous Indian misnomer to mean domestically inclined. Scene change and it is Cyber era. Want to hear the wedding bells ring? Simply replace the cupid’s arrow with your cursor and you have a match made in Cyberspace! Thanks to the host of matrimonial websites across the Internet, “tying the knot” has taken a new meaning. I sat up and took serious notice of the matrimonial websites and portals when a friend recently got married to a guy she had met on one such website. The Net, I realised, is no longer regarded with suspicion as a meeting and dating avenue, but is more serious, committed and thousands of people are tying the knot, thanks to the new matchmakers in town- matrimonial portals. And it is not just busy professionals who are e-mailing or chatting with prospective spouses on the net, but parents are also putting up the profiles of eligible sons and daughters on these portals. For some, far from being a novel approach to matrimony, these sites are a natural extension of how things have been done in India for decades, while others swear by their success rate. So what makes online matrimony “click” better than conventional avenues of finding your match? Well, here are some answers: Advantage Matrimonial Websites Wider reach: you can contact any person from Chandigarh to Canada You can streamline your search according to your own preferences You can email/chat online with your prospective partner till you feel comfortable enough to meet You get immediate results once you register, unlike newspapers You can look for members from a city of your choice You can look for members from a particular profession These websites offer many resources that can make your wedding shopping and planning much easier. Safe and secure. You can control your privacy level by filtering out the people whom you don’t want to contact and ones you don’t wish to be contacted by Thousands of new members join on daily basis The websites also offer tools where mutually compatible members are listed In their quest, youngsters and surprisingly a lot of parents have discovered a dizzying array of Websites: www.shaadi.com , www.jeevansathi.com, etc . Within these sites are sub-sites for Indian regions, like punjabimatrimony.com . Here are some key players: Some Prominent Matrimonial Websites www.shaadi.com www.jeevansaathi.com www.bharatmatrimony.com www.matrimonialsindia.com How to get started Log on to any of the matrimonial website/portal of your choice. Register yourself and create your profile as your profile is the quickest way of letting others know who you are. How much information you wish to disclose about yourself and whether you wish to add your photograph/video or not your decision. You can add information like your hobbies, interests, educational qualification, the kind of partner you’re looking for and even your astro information. While most of the websites offer free memberships, paid options are also available. The paid members enjoy some advantages over free memberships. After registration, you can begin your search, which could be based on region (from all over the world), religion or community. You can contact members whose profiles you like through email or chat. You also have the option to accept or decline any messages that you receive from others. Safety & Security Issues
Whether you prefer the good old newspaper Matrimonials or the faster and user-friendly matrimonial websites, explore your options now! You might be surprised at who you’d find on the matrimonial portals: the guy in the next cubicle, your next door neighbour, your boss, maybe even your last girlfriend/boyfriend! —Courtesy: Atul Gupta, CEO, Red Alkemi
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Write
to Renee I am a 39-year-old married woman with two grown up children. I was married at the age of 18 to a man 11 years older than me. Over the years during our marriage, I caught him many times with other women but after the initial shock I would always forgive him. Around 2 years ago I met a man much younger than me who is settled abroad. He wants me to marry him, leave my husband but take the children along. He loves my children. I love and trust him very much but I keep worrying about his parents. Now my husband is very nice to me and leaving him is very tough, as he has promised to behave now. I am confused. Megha, Panchkula Having an affair in your situation is understandable, as emotional comfort and acceptability is the primal need of a human being. And when that need is not met within our immediate family, people look outside for it. Your husband has been cheating on your for years. The hurt of this has probably left you numb towards him. However, finding someone to love and comfort you is definitely a good feeling but whether you want to make the situation permanent is totally a different issue. You have two families involved. You have to first see how your children will accept the situation. We cannot always take selfish decisions for our own happiness because our happiness also lies in the happiness of our loved ones. So try giving your husband a chance if it works. Also give yourself some space in your other relationship. Once your life has a meaning and purpose, clarity will naturally come. I am going through a very stressful time in my life and the thought of having an affair has crossed my mind many times. I feel it will give me a new distraction. Are women more likely to do such things when they are dissatisfied with their lives? I feel that may be it will take the stress away when I am in a new relationship, but the guilt of the thought gets me as I have a very nice husband at home and two wonderful kids. I don’t want to be a bad person in their eyes. Is it selfish to have such thoughts? Ganeev Kaur, Chandigarh Why have people started believing that having an affair is a sure way of de-stressing. Aren’t there any other interesting ways of amusing our minds? The problem with the modern woman is deep rooted. She is far too educated to sit at home and be happy. You want other things to do to keep the mind form running in all directions. How about checking within yourself what activity were you most passionate about when you were a kid and just go for it. Also give your kids and family more time and attention.
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FILM REVIEW
‘Taxi No. 9211’ stars Nana Patekar, John Abraham, Ritesh Deshmukh, Sameera Reddy and Sonali Kulkarni. This one is Ramesh Sippy Production presentation. Milan Luthria shows a spark in this film. The main attraction of this film is Nana Patekar, who, as always has given of his best. John Abraham shows his versatility. Sameera Reddy and Sonali Kulkarni are as usual satisfied with their roles. Noted music director duo Vishal-Shekhar has composed spicy and frothy soundtracks. Veteran Dev Kohli and Vishal have penned lyrics that sketch the tempo and moods. If Ramesh Sippy’s ‘Bluffmaster’ had an experimental score then ‘Taxi No. 9211’ too begins on an uncommon note with a song in appreciation of ‘Aamchi Mumbai’. All in all ‘Taxi No. 9211’ is a complete entertainer that will keep you hooked. — D.P.
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Hand in hand on Bullets This is camaraderie at its best! The motley crew comes as a revelation for this is what the call of adventure and the spirit of friendship is all about. These are the riders of the Bullet club where only one rule counts—no mopeds, scooters and cycles please—simply the Enfield! With a passion for riding—wives or no wives—life is on a roll! ‘Road Survivors’ the city’s own riding club is now gearing up for their 3rd anniversary special, a ride to the Banjara camps on the Kufri-Chail road. Come what may, a ‘reunion’ happens every Sunday—to plot, to plan to, to reminisce. And memories are something they all share eagerly. The latest narratives are about Rider Mania 2006 and South Calling where over 300 riders from all over India got together to rule the roads! About 24 days; 8848 km covered, 15 riders, including 4 couples and the route Chandigarh to the Southern tip of India and back via the Golden Quadrilateral, including the Strongest Couple Award for Dushyant and wife Simi for arm-wrestling! “Had Adam’s Bridge been built we would have gone on to Sri Lanka as well,” declares Guneesh, one of the riders, on the faculty with IIFT in the city. The gang from Chandigarh is “family” no less. A sundry gathering: Mani (Manpreet Singh) has a factory in Mohali, Bikram Singh works in a bank, Kanwar Aulakh teaches art in a college, Sandeep Singh is a systems administrator, Jojo works with Quark, Dushyant and his wife Simi have their own business just like Jassi and his brother Hardie do and what brings them all together is their love for their bikes. What is it all like? Jojo: “Just wake up, call and ride off” Simi: “You and your bike and great locations” Guneesh: “Swing the kick hard and ride it. Cannot describe the feeling” Averaging speeds of 80 km an hour, braving bad roads—“Jharkhand was a revelation. No roads! So, even if you were driving at 5, you were doing really good time!” laughs Guneesh—it is about the road below and the skies above. So what are the rules of the game? “No riding at night as far as possible, always driving with a helmet and no drinking and driving,” says Mani. “But sometimes you need to drink and drive like in Ladakh” smiles Jojo. What of any interesting eye-openers while ruling the road? “Yes, Reliance petrol pumps have the best bathrooms!” laughs Guneesh. “Fifteen rupees for a bath with hot water,” declares Bikram. Indeed the tales are “laugh-a-minute” galore—for shining through is enchanting enthusiasm. Like the time Dushyant and Simi celebrated their first wedding anniversary on the Rider Mania trip and Guneesh ate most of the cake up or then how Bikram jumped into the sea in his excitement forgetting his cell phone in his pocket! What is more each of them has a unique “call-name” something that characterises each one of them! So Bunty Bubli, Topi, GoGo, Disaster, Cruizer, and Easy-Rider it is—with delightfully wicked anecdotes accompanying each name! What makes these rides such an act of commitment is that “you can trust these bikes with your life,” says Simi, this despite the wear and tear of being on the road for hours at a stretch, days at a time. “They had to almost tie their engine with bungee cords,” laughs Mani. With more than 70 rides in these three years, the going is getting tougher with only the North-East left to explore. However, one ride that each of them wants to take again and again is Ladakh. Having gone there last year, they plan to go again in summer to live out their dreams in vistas unsheltered! Riders with a Bullet by your side, log onto www.roadsurvivorschd.com for a peek at exhilaration. How did they all come together? “Posters, word-of-mouth
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MATKA CHOWK Chandigarh reintroduced me to a childhood word – ‘horticulture.’ After years of looking at the monotonous American landscaping of Bradford Pears– I revelled at the sight of magnificent flowers blooming on emerald green lawns and city chowks. Brilliant colours leaping out of abundant flowerbeds and treetops of deep Fuchsia set my renewed standards. I visited many houses with prized gardens, worthy of a cover photo in any Home and Garden magazine. I, of course, paid due tribute to the garden and then, the conversation veered towards another subject – also very much a part of the city – the malis. In the western world, they are almost extinct. In Chandigarh, they rule with full force, replete with their characteristic idiosyncrasies and foibles. I have always loved Agatha Christie’s delightful observation of the post-Victorian English gardener – fiercely territorial, highly suspicious of anything new, disdainful of the mistress’s choice in flowers and herbs and getting away with a lot of talk. If the mistress specifically said – “No Asters,” – surely, the gardener said to himself – “She might not like Asters, but I pay no attention.” Chandigarh ladies keep lovely gardens. I have been a part of long conversations about their woeful narration of how recalcitrant and impossible their respective malis can be. One lady told me how afraid she is to furnish her own suggestions when it came to dahlias versus roses. Another told me that she has resigned to only spinach and muli for her kitchen garden as the gardener does not believe in parsley or carrots. I know of a particular Mali in close quarters. Names withheld, for he would be mortally offended, if he thought I am making light of his expertise. The mistress of the house spends a good deal of time debating with him to get her point across. They argue over the merits, demerits, identity and suitability of plants and flowers with great animation. And if he did grudgingly, give in, when the garden blooms and becomes a divine sight and his work is lavishly praised – he smiles with closed lips – feigning humility for his superior knowledge. Sometimes, at the mistress’s request he plants pumpkin, that eventually turns out gourds. Sometimes, primrose turns into passionflower. You might take him to the Rose Festival – only to hear his running commentary of criticism. AWhen visitors arrive, he shows off the garden with great élan and drops many names – local and exotic. He is undoubtedly, a great gardener, growing grand flowers. Recently when asked the name of a particular vine with orange flowers, he rose to the occasion. He puffed up his chest and exclaimed in his booming voice –“ Bougainvanishta.” I did not dare bat an eyelid or break into giggles! After all, how can a garden grow without savoir-faire?
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The last laugh To hell with girlie giggles. No body minds those loud belly laughs anymore. Thanks to the refreshing whiff of comedy that has breezed through our TVs recently, we are all having hearty laughs. And when the whole nation seems to be laughing their hearts out, can Chandigarh be far behind? Yes! The city’s not just laughed but has proudly had the last laugh, as they say. For, city-based Khyalli Savara has emerged out a hasi ka badshah (king of laughter) at the famous comedy show -The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. Splendid slapsticks, outrageous verbal gobbledygooks, witty waffles…all stirring up delicious smiles and rib-tickling chuckles. Welcome to the sparkling world of wit, where the comedians are wizards. They all enthrall with their crispy one-liners and funny gags. So what’s so special about 27-year-old Khyalli that won him a seeti (whistle) from Shekhar Suman and standing ovation from Navjyot Sidhu, besides the laughter challenge, that is? We find out. Recipe for your success? I believe in originality and spontaneity. I’ve never copied any comedian but always try to evolve my own style. I just craft my comedy on the spot and since it’s situational, it really clicks everybody. How do you perceive this victory Well, it’s just the beginning. There’s a very long way to go. But yes, I’ve received tremendous adulation and am really enjoying it. What does Chandigarh mean to you? Laughs. It’s the city of dreams. I belong to a small village in Rajasthan. It was a place where I used to mimic the elders as a child. But it could never have given me the kind of platform that Chandigarh has. It’s here that I worked on my accent, did theatre and performed with Punjabi artists like Jasbir Jassi, Gurdas Mann and Harbajhan Mann for five years. I participated at Lonawala in Vishwa Hasya Samellan, where I had to compete with comedians from seven countries. The exposure I got in this city has helped a lot in my personal growth. So is Chandigarh the place where you took your training from? Comedy is a gift from ma Saraswati (God-given blessing) and I haven’t taken any training from it. But yes, Chandigarh was a platform to improving my personality and learning about upcoming opportunities. Your assets as a performer? I can perform on stage three hours consecutively. My stand up comedy acts are pun packed and spontaneous. I never rehearse but perform instinctually. Your biggest high? When I see people laughing heartily. I feel I have the power to take away some people’s woes. I enjoy dancing, singing and theatre too, but performing stand up comedy acts is what beckons me. Would you like to perform in the city? Of course. The only difference now is that a meager 20,000 is not enough. You’ll have to pay me Rs. 50,000 for a one night performance (he winks) Before bidding him farewell, as we ask him to perform for us, he cuts a joke on the print media. “You guys are very powerful. Yesterday, a journalist took my interview and picture for some newspaper and what I saw this morning is my interview carrying a bearded baba’s picture. Hey, if journos can grow a man’s beard in a night, I wonder what all they can they do.” The humour is as pure as the one that characterises him. Except that the well set-up punch lines come faster, the backwards and forwards leaps of consciousness seem more natural and his exuberant energy rubs off onto us!
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All-in-one Multi-product mini-malls offering temptation, and branded stuff, all under one roof are playing Pied Piper, says Saurabh Malik
As you push open the impressive glass doors, whiff of steaming hot cappuccino rising from one corner greets you. It mingles with the aroma of desserts as you walk ahead. Just as you turn your back to black forest pastry and thick chocolate sauce, paperbacks neatly stacked on the glass counters lure you. Round the bend, you come across kids’ wear — all branded. Little wonder, young call centre employee and mother of two Tanya Vashistha has stopped driving down the fast track of life from one showroom to another. “I simply walk into a mini-mall and picks up good stuff for the family…. It’s all very convenient,” she smiles. The concept Until a few years ago, such multi-product mini-malls selling only the branded stuff were virtually non-existent in and around Chandigarh. Departmental stores were undoubtedly there, but were not always offering the branded stuff. “You had to run from one showroom to another for taking that decisive step in case you wanted to buy designer wear and chocolates as well,” says marketing manager with a multi-national watch company Neeraj Sharada. Heaving a deep sigh, he says, “These multi-product stores are different from the multi-brand showrooms abroad. The ones across the seas enable the consumers to select cars or watches on comparative basis under one roof. But here, you can buy an assortment of branded stuff without opening and closing the doors.” If you still haven’t savoured the experienced picking up the stuff from such multi-product stores, go to Vetesta in Panchkula’s Sector 9. The newly inaugurated showroom has counters set up by the “Archies”, “Corner Book Store”, “Kwality Walls”, “Coffee Day”, “Reylonds” and even “Tech Kidz”. The benefits It’s all very suitable for the owners as well. They earn out of offering space, instead of investing money in buying products. In case an item fails to attract the customers, the loss is that of the manufacturing and marketing firm. The holder still gets his rent. If the company decides to shut down the outlet, the landlord can always rent out the space again. It’s just like eating your cake and not gaining weight. Vetesta’s proprietor Triveni Kaul says, “Having a multi-brand superstore is more of a necessity. For, it means optimum utilization of space. Franchise route only helped us set up the business with zero investments in brand-building.”
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Dancing way to fitness Looking for means to get rid of those extra calories? There are fun ways to do so, checks out
Gayatri Rajwade Bop your way to health and vigour! For exercise is no longer about running on the treadmill and lifting weights—kick, dance, spin, step or meditate your way to wellbeing. The selection is mind-boggling as the city wakes up to ‘body beautiful’ through the sashaying world of Salsa, the intensity of kickboxing, the high-energy of spin cycling, the camaraderie of aerobics and the fine technique of Krav Maga no less! SALSA A ‘veteran’ in the race for innovative fitness routines in the city, back to back Salsa classes run at Planet Fitness, Sector 8, under the tutelage of Delhi-based instructor Anubhav Kumar right through the weekends and it has been this way for more than two years now. An exciting workout combining traditional South American dance forms from Salsa to Meringue interspersed with Tango, Mambo and the Cha-Cha-Cha, “it is a cardio workout filled with passion and heat. It is not only a fun way to learn something new but is great for coordination, body awareness and toning of the muscles,” says Anubhav. Check out his funky tips: Think like a dancer Stretch often, deeply and luxuriously Music should be inviting and mischievous Remember this a fun routine so be relaxed and carefree The burn rate: 250 to 450 calories in a one-hour session KRAV MAGA This Israeli self-defence technique is the latest buzzword in fitness in the city. Started a month ago and instructor Himanshu Sharman is teaching a full class already at Planet Fitness. “It helps build awareness, confidence, self-control, movement and physical fitness since it is integral to the system. The workout includes cardio and strength building exercises which increase flexibility too.” Krav Maga, developed by Czechoslovakian-born Imi Lichtenfeldm, is a system of fighting and self-defence for the Israeli Defence Force. Faced with the task of preparing both fit and out-of-shape soldiers, Imi developed a comprehensive system that relied on simple and instinctive moves rather than rigid techniques requiring years of training. A modern method characterised by a logical and practical approach, it is easy to perform, natural and effective featuring simple movements and reflexive behaviour and is one of the few fighting styles which adapts to the student rather than expecting the student to adapt to it. The burn rate: Up to 800 calories per session
KICKBOXING “Extremely practical martial arts in terms of real-life situations since there are no flowery moves involved; you kick, punch, and use your knees and elbows,” says instructor Pancham Prashar who has been teaching this form for six years now at the Leisure Valley with classes being held twice a week. A martial arts expert in Karate, Taikwondo and Kung-fu for 15 years now, Pancham’s takes on Kickboxing reads as, “a great cardio workout which builds endurance, flexibility, agility and most importantly develops a sense of self-discipline which is the underlying principle of any martial arts form.” The burn rate: 400 to 700 calories per session SPIN CYCLING OR SPINNING Open currently only to members at Ozone, Sector 9, Manager Abraham Sachin plans to open up Spinning classes for anyone interested, from March this year. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a ‘hard-core’ fitness programme; instead this high-energy group exercise integrates music, fellowship and visualisation in a complete mind and body workout. An unattached way to make your fitness goals a reality, you just need your feet and legs to pedal the way to a leaner, stronger body! The burn rate: 400 to 500 calories per session AEROBICS Many fitness centres and gymnasiums across the city have aerobics sessions, Prime Bodies in Sector 32 has instructor Mickey at the helm who has been teaching for over 12 years now. “These activity classes combine muscle-building exercises, stretching and dance steps into choreographed routines all performed to music. We alternate between step aerobics, dance aerobics and weights which takes care of both cardio and weight training.” Instructor Vishal Thukral who takes classes at Planet Fitness believes it is the best way to oxygenate your system! The burn rate: 240 to 400 calories per session (45 minutes) Why this surge in alternate forms of fitness? Planet Fitness co-owner Priya Garg attributes it to variety. “It is not that one is better than the other. There are advantages and new skill-sets to learn with each form hence the range of activities to choose from,” she says. For as Abraham Sachin says, “Any form of activity that an individual starts is great for group activities help educate and train.” So take your pick—for profuse perspiration and aching muscles can be a pleasure too!
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Check them out New Hindi Releases 1. Rang De Basanti 2. Aksar 3. Everybody on the Dance Floor 4. Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Top 12 5. Bluffmaster International Music 1. Shamur-Let the music Play 2. You are my No. 1 3. Eminem-Curtain Call the Hits 4. Air Supply—Forever Love—36 Greatest Hits 5. The Best of 2005 Punjabi 1. Gurdas Mann-Vilayatan 2. Amrinder Gill—Dildarian 3. Bombay Bronx 4. Music Waves Top 12 Smash Hits 5. # 1 The Greatest Bhangra Vol. 2 Indy Pop 1. Himesh Reshmmiya-Aap Ka Surroor 2. Power Play Yash Raj Music 3. Aadat-Har Jagah Hai Jal 4. Tere Liye – For Someone Special 5. Bombay Vikings—Zara Nazron Se Kehdo Ghazals 1. Sing with Sufis—Jane – e – Ghazal 2. Jagjit Singh-Marasim 3. Sufi Immortal 4. Jagjit Singh-Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho 5. Euphoric Sufi Western Instrumental 1. Global Village-Karunesh 2. Kandisa-Indian Ocean 3. Hope 4. Love 5. Faith Hindi Instrumental 1. Call of the Valley 2. The Valley Recalls-Shiv Kumar Sharma 3. Bismillah Khan-Shaadi Ki Shehnayee 4. Expression Romance 5. Brian Silas —Recollection
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RAJ Khosla’s son Milan Luthria has once again proven his calibre as a director with ‘Taxi No. 9211’ released yesterday at Neelam, Chandigarh, Fun Republic, Manimajra and K.C., Panchkula. It is a hot ‘n’ happening film with some lively and trendy soundtracks. The film brings out fun-loving endeavours of bumpy rides of a taxi that creates fluctuations in fortunes of protagonists in a days happening. Two different facades of life collaged with two different genres of actor gist out of this adventurous tale, which is a clear winner at the box office.
Call them multi-brand showrooms or mini-malls, but departmental stores — offering a selection of branded stuff, and temptation — are making pick-and-choose job easier for so many shoppers.