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Games people play Write to Renee PAMMY’S BEAUTY TIPS Importance of training FILM REVIEW Fun with Fashion Matka Chowk
A glittering success
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Taken for a ride Hitching a ride towards the hills with Divya Miglani, one of the very few woman rallyists in the country is more than a pleasure. The effort is not just to find out what it really takes to be behind the wheel but more, says
Sukant Deepak
Speed exudes different metaphors. As the gypsy leaves behind a trail of fine dust and kisses the warm concrete, looking at the urban landscape through the window is nothing more than appreciating a distant reality. As we try escaping the city’s neurotic traffic for a metaphorical ‘call of the hills’, it’s hard to not to ask this pretty 25-years-old Delhi based rallyist who was here recently—what’s it about speed really? “Didn’t I tell you, no tough questions, at least not in the beginning!” Aren’t there multiple dimensions to rallying, scheme of things going beyond merely a heavy right foot? “Right, but the ever-rising speedometer needle definitely introduces me to my diverse facets. There are so many proportions to swiftness that the same never fails to impress. You must realise that speed is not the only essential in motorsports. You have to have more, you got to boast of an unparalleled skill set, that special mental make up that ensures that you know when to just let it go, and when to hold back tightly.” For someone who has won several motorsports titles including Best Novice in the JK Tyre National Championship-2005, Best Rally Driver in the Airtel Rally-2005, fourth position in her class in Desert Strom-2006 and participation in Raid-De-Himalaya-2005, one of the toughest rallies in its class in the world, more effort must be pumped from all quarters to ascertain that Indians leave a footprint in the international arena. “I can go on and on when it comes to problems plaguing this sport in India. What more, many people don’t even recognise it as a sport. Isn’t it pathetic! Why can’t we have more driving schools with better training facilities? Why isn’t the government doing its bit to encourage motorsports? Where are the sensitive sponsors?” A fast pedal pusher ever since her teen years, Divya states that she’s always had the requisite encouragement from folks back home. “They were a bit apprehensive initially, but seeing me do a 360 degree spin on their brand new Esteem, changed everything.” As we hit Kalka, observing more than one head turn, Divya negotiates some cattle on the road and smiles, “You were asking about going professional. Well, that’s what I ultimately plan to do but it’s never easy. Sponsors are perpetually a distant mirage for us. Moreover, no matter what event it is, including the national ones; the prize money is so low that sometimes it fails to cover even your entry fee! The hills register their presence; the vehicle makes an effort to overpower the stagnant giants. Tell me honestly, isn’t motorsports a rich kid’s exclusive domain? “Well, it’s easy to get inside if you are financially comfortable. But after that all that matters is talent, skill and nerve. Taming speed and negotiating fatal accidents is not just about money.” So, aren’t you considered an ‘outsider’ (of course not Albert Camu’s), considering you’re one of the few women in a sport dominated by men. “Not at all, in more than one events I’ve been the only woman, once the engine roars to life, granting you that peculiar excitement, you forget your sex, yourself and almost everything else.” She’s driving fast, oblivious of awestruck expressions. Tell me all about the men who go bonkers when they see an attractive woman rallyist? “Can I skip this one, please?” she laughs. Of course not! “Yeah, men do get impressed. Sometimes they talk to you as if you were a special creature. And yes, some guys do get a complex when they see a member of the fairer sex drive far better than them,” she laughs, changing a gear. All set to participate in the forthcoming Raid De Himalaya-2006 (Xtreme category), Divya insists, “ Hey, it’s been me who’s been doing all the talking throughout, now you say something?” First thing first — Even your gypsy has an amazing voice. The well-known rallyist blushes, just like any other 25- year-old.
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Blender’s pride Funky garnishes like little umbrellas and dangling monkeys may charm the tippler in you but it is the bartender with his flaming skills and acrobatic bottle flips that makes life a blend of spirits, says Gayatri Rajwade Oh yes, most definitely we are growing up! Have you seen the number of bartenders in the city who know how to flip their bottles and light up the snifter? Tom Cruise’s Cocktail may have made bartending America’s most coveted profession, but it has taken us conformist Indians a while to ‘bottoms up’ on it! Today bartending “creates a wow,” to quote one of our city’s hip bartenders and we find out just how the spirit soaked them in. “A bartender’s flamboyance comes from training on the job, learning from mistakes and breaking a few bottles,” announces Manpreet Singh at the Taj Chandigarh’s Lava Bar. Inspired by Cocktail (ah!) this hotel management graduate from IHM Hyderabad, developed a spin for spirits six years ago and launched himself as a freelancer before setting his roots down here. Party Time
The motley career began in Delhi doing parties before winning a bartending competition in 2002, which gave him the “momentum” to continue. So on to Kolkata next where he launched some of the city’s coolest nightspot bars like the ‘Sheesha Bar’ and ‘Cloud 9’ and then one fine day after a “performance” at the Hyatt Hotel in Khatmandu, he decided hotels were it. He has been with the Taj, Chandigarh since June last year, loving every moment of his job. So what’s the big buzz in bartending? “Creativity but my USP is communication for this is not just about selling drinks, it is also about fostering comfort-levels” says this wizened youngster. While he can mix great ‘Toddy’, his favourite poison is a simple Bacardi and Coke for the high comes from being paid to follow his passion. Best is Better
For 34-year-old Shashi Pal at the helm of bar affairs at the newly launched lounge bar Antidote—26, “providing the best to the customer to make him happy” is what makes this “hobby- cum-job” so worthwhile. A food and beverage course at the Food Craft Institute in Delhi had him hooked to the hospitality industry and his subsequent job with The Imperial Hotel’s bar ‘Patiala Peg’ established his calling. “Flamboyance is okay but one must know the basics and how to maintain a bar,” says this quiet man who lists knowledge of spirits, quantities, quality, ingredients and even glassware and garnishes as necessities of the job. “One’s work should speak for oneself,” he says and his greatest ‘work of art’ is Antidote’s special ‘Seven Steps to Hell’ with its flaming vodka. He can light up a mean fire for the learning also includes burning up his boss’s coat at one point! Finally, what would be the cherry on the cocktail is to be able to teach all that he has learnt to others. Fine art
“Do you know bartenders are also known as mixologists. It is after all, like my favourite subject Chemistry, all about mixing, except this is live chemistry,” laughs 24-year-old Amit Kumar, one of six bartenders at Ruby Tuesday, Fun Republic, Mani Majra. Originally from West Bengal, it was a beverage course in Mumbai while he was working with Copper Chimney there that decided it for him. “It is not about only the drinks. It is about communication, style and etiquette.” So,apart from making the drinks and managing the liquor, Amit believes it is the personal relationships, “making new friends everyday” that is the “real achievement” of the job. “When people remember our names it is like a gift one gets,” he smiles. A pucca teetotaller, who makes a wondrous ‘Whiskey Sour’, he believes he is like the gourmet cook who may never eat his own food but knows it all! Topping it
Finally, it is not just the professionals who are mixing their drinks. Meet Vir Pratap Singh working with Spice Telecom in Mohali. Vir listed mixing drinks as a hobby in college to escape the endless ragging. But “once on the other side, I realised why not get into it and see where it takes me,” he smiles. Reading books, surfing the Net for information and finally a job that enabled him dish out the money to stock his bar up and Vir was on his way! While fruity cocktails are his forte “for everyone enjoys them,” his personal recommendations include “lots of lime-juice for the summers and brandy and rum for the winters” but his very own favourite is the ‘Singapore Fling’, with its heady mix of gin, lemon juice and cherry brandy over crushed ice and topped with soda. And finally his dream, to open a restaurant and run the bar there! We keep our fingers crossed!
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Games people play
If you haven’t heard the buzz so far, talk to plus-two student Tanya Vashistha. The little miss walky-talky, living life on the glamour lane in Sector 8, will tell you all about the fad that is calling on the techno-savvy youngsters in the city. Connecting to a programme of excitement, she dials “p” for pleasure with her fair fingers every now and then, especially during the festive season. As the phone comes alive, the 17-year-old plays “Tambola” and so many other games, hoping to win bumper prizes. And guys, Tanya is not the only one who believes in playing mobile games without leaving the comfort of her house. Her neighbour-cum-friend friend Nisha Prashar is another phone-game buff. “Khelo 902” and “Game Four” are some of her favourites. If sometimes the monthly telephone bill marginally exceeds the limit strictly prescribed by her business executive dad Deepak Prashar, Nisha calls all her charms up and gets away with it safely. Only recently, she forgot all about playing with the neighbourhood guys as most of her time was spent accessing and downloading action packed mobile games based on the world’s greatest sporting event — the FIFA World Cup, 2006. Free after hanging up the tensions of annual examinations, the first year humanities student kept dialing “*789#” for merrily playing “Java application” games likes the “World Table Soccer 2006” and “Power Soccer”. No wonder, the Indian mobile-game business currently makes up about 5 per cent of the global wireless market because of youngsters like Tanya and Nisha. Market researchers expects that the Indian mobile gaming market — that generated US $26 million revenue in 2004 — will eventually increase to US $336 million in annual revenue by 2009. Explaining the trend, Spice Telecom’s Assistant Vice-President (Marketing) Mukul Khanna says: “Falling rates and huge youth population in the country is the driving the market. You see, mobile gaming is more than just fun. It enriches the subscriber’s whole mobile entertainment environment”. He adds: “More and more youngsters are nowadays giving a ring to excitement due to the ‘anytime, anywhere’ syndrome. Mobile gaming is in fact an entertainment that is essentially used to fill the relaxed period in a typical day especially while traveling or waiting.” Another thing folks! Mobile gaming is less expensive and handier compared to fixed console games. That’s, perhaps, the reason why encouraged by response to the existing games, cellular operators across the country are planning to introduce additional games. “Spice in particular is in the process of introducing exciting and adventurous games to make mobile experience all the more enjoyable and entertaining in this part of the region,” says Mukul. So guys! Get up and redefine your mobile experience. Put in a call to thrill and enthusiasm during your free hours and play games like “Mars mission”, “Escape from Alcatraz”, “Pirates of the Caribbean” and even “Mr and Mrs Smith” through your General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enabled sets. Well, sitting or standing there you may not be able to burn calories while playing these mobile games, but then you can always exercise for that. Happy gaming!
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Write to Renee I am all of 32 years of age. The last 10 years I was married to a man, who over the years had seemed to be a charming husband. We did have our differences, but he always said that he was giving me the space and freedom to allow my personality to develop and grow on my own. He did not really interfere in my life style at all, he was never a provider but neither was he an intruder. Then one day I suddenly discovered that he had been verbally abusing me behind my back to his family. I have a successful career, two lovely kids and a great life. I decided to divorce him. He then begged forgiveness for his misdeeds. Again, I discovered he had been abusing me to his kids and blaming me for all the wrongs in his life. Now I have discovered he even has another women in his life. I have completely decided to leave him. Do not say it is destiny. I need a practical answer. Shikha Dear girl I believe that emotional abuse is definitely a greater trauma then physical abuse. In our country people look at the physical scars more than the permanent scars which are inflicted on a woman’s spirit when she has been emotionally made a fool of. This man has definitely taken you for a ride. Your married the wrong man, at your age people are barely getting married these days. I would say yours is a common experience of emotional immaturity and cowardice. How could you believe in him so blindly? No one knows what is waiting round the corner; we all have to take our chances. We all run away, break down, get up and start all over again with a new perspective. Try it! It is terrible to allow the children to be pulled into this whole gamut of emotional abuse. Since you have made a decision, stick to it. Have the courage to measure the positive and the negative and just move on with it. I am 18 years old and have a serious problem when it comes to girls. I just do not have the confidence to ask anyone out at all. I am studying in a co-ed college and have many girl friends as such, but when it comes to taking a girl out for a movie or even for dinner, I get cold feet. I gear myself up for this but the moment I am in front of the person I start stammering and behave completely foolish. It is perhaps the fear of rejection that makes me behave like this. I do try to ignore this and spend more time with my studies, but this is taking a toll on my confidence. Can you help me with some good suggestions on how to deal with this problem? Suneet Tandon, Panchkula Dear boy, would you be surprised if I said there are lots of guys out there in the same boat. Even some of the best of men, the most successful of guys, suffer from this complex. They just chicken out in a one to one situation. Now tell me where is the excitement in knowing that you are getting yes for an answer! One of the greatest dilemmas in a man’s life is the loss of the thrill of the chase. All men seem to love the sense of uncertainty in their answers from women. Movie stars like Hugh Grant etc. probably pray to be rejected. It is all a part of the experience. You are probably just suffering from low self-esteem for some reason. Get rid of it. Go with this new sense of self-confidence and trust me, you will make it.
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PAMMY’S BEAUTY TIPS Monsoon clouds bring hot humid weather and showers, in other words….. “bad hair days”. Rain and temperature change can cause elevated humidity, bringing along its own set of problems for hair. Humidity can create disastrous conditions for hair, the high moisture content in the air during monsoon can create frizzy hair or weigh your hair down. During the monsoon, if your hair is limp and lifeless or maybe totally frizzy and fly away, don’t blame it on the hair or your shampoo and conditioner, the real culprit is moisture content in the air. This happens because the moisture in the atmosphere reacts with the hydrogen bonds in the hair causing the style to ruin. The fact is that on high humidity days, the hair becomes longer and naturally curly hair experience frizz, this extra length causes hair to frizz up. Don’t forget hair has been used as a reliable weather indicator, in olden days hair hygrometer was used to measure humidity. Well, the answer for your “bad hair day” is clear and simple. When you shampoo your hair it absorbs minerals like calcium and magnesium, the same minerals that are responsible for making the water soft or hard. The type of water that you use can have a profound effect on coiffure, acidity and hardness of water affects the hairs ability to absorb minerals, higher the hardness greater the absorption.
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Importance of training
We have often heard all and sundry saying that one needs to get trained, the right way in order to excel on radio…, haven’t we! I also agree with them wholeheartedly. But, what is the right type of training? Is it really useful and will it really go a long way in making you that star Radio Jockey, that you always dreamt of? Well, I guess they are right in saying this because without proper professional training, you are just like a ship without a rudder. I shall elaborate this point in detail. See, it is not at all easy to go ‘On-Air’ and sustain with your performance. In order to get those ears listening to you, your voice has to be properly trained. It has to go through a very high level of professional training to get those highs at a particular point, the lows when demanded, ability to pick up speed alongwith variations and of course, your diction has to be impeccable. So, who can effectively provide you with all this? Well, the answer is no Pythagoras theorem, actually it is very simple. The guy who knows radio himself, will only be able to impart you the training that is demanded by radio stations all over the globe. Make sure you have made the right choice. I mean you won’t want to leave your future in the hands of a person whose own future is kind of grim. Double check and do a thorough research on the institute and then take a decision. Remember, a poorly trained RJ, however high or mighty he or she might be, will NOT be able to deliver and achieve the desired results. After checking the track record, the next step is to have a look at the curriculum. I mean are they aware about the latest innovations in this field, do they understand what are Stingers, Sweepers, Radio Hour clock, PSAs, Formats, Imaging, Product push etc? If they say no to any of these, very politely look for the nearest exit. My friends remember, in radio there are no comebacks and make sure you are trained the proper way, so that the world of radio welcomes you with open arms. (The writer is a renowned Radio Personality)
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FILM REVIEW ‘Golmaal-Fun Unlimited’, a film by ‘Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Limited’, released on Friday at Batra, Chandigarh and Fun Republic, Manimajra. If comic caper ‘Phir Hera Pheri’ enthralled the viewers with its comedy, ‘Golmaal’ is also a good effort by ‘Zameen’ fame director Rohit Shetty. Paresh Rawal, a common factor in both films, once again proves adept at tickling the viewer’s funny bone. Neeraj Vora, writer-director of ‘Phir Hera Pheri’, known for his racy scripts creates a hilarious narrative nevertheless. Unexpected twists n turns galore, and a plethora of laughter raising situations carry the viewers throughout the 135 minutes admixture. Ajay Devgan shows his versatility. Arshad Warsi and Sharman Joshi have also acted well. Tusshar Kapoor who gets a chunk of awkward situations, makes perfect use of them. Rimi Sen is as usual, satisfied with her role. Director Rohit Shetty has handled the comic sequences efficiently. Cinematography by Aseem Bajaj is excellent. The dance sequences are well picturised. With excellent comic sequences and good music, ‘Golmaal’ is a paisa vasool film. — D.P.
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Fun with Fashion Anandita Gupta
Ever loved that little tummy bulging out of that fitted, figure-hugging spaghetti of yours? Or flaunted your bulging back, playing a peak-a-boo out of that backless blouse? Not really, for most of us hate bulges and would, in fact, do anything to get rid of them. But ask fashion gurus and they tell you the opposite. For, the trend this season is to flaunt bulges, not the bodily flab, ofcourse, but bulging, fluff, balloon like clothes. While most of us today are left sweating and fuming, puffed up like a steam engine, burning calories on that dreaded treadmill, fashion dictates us to add volume to our attire. But why? “Simply because fashion is all about experimenting, breaking monotony and wearing things that attract attention. And puffed clothes do exactly the same,” opines designer Mini Singh. Adds Panchkula-based designer Nidhi Bajaj, “Any trend can’t be dubbed as the one giving you a slim or a heavy look. Its how creatively one plays with the trend, keeping the wearer’s body type and requirements in mind. Like most of my clients want to look slim but also want to be trendy. So I’ve done a lot of balloon skirts and tops but varied the length and cuts to make the wearer look slim.”
Well, if spring and summer were all about laces and crochets, rains are about balloony clothes. So whether it’s at the hemlines or simply the sleeves, make sure something balloons out this season.
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Matka Chowk Sreedhara Bhasin On rainy days we often went to the movies. I was growing up in the city of Calcutta or rather Kolkata, that had many 'cinema halls' as we called them. When it poured, we found a rickshaw and set out, often to be carried over rising water that swirled around. We saw the nei-ghbour-hood boys playing football in the park, covered in mud from head to toe. Chandigarh is not a rain friendly city. When it pours, there are very few things to do. Driving is hard, since the chowks are submerged in no time. And the flooded chowks are nothing but a gateway to wrestling matches between wayward vehicles. I have once been stuck on the sector 35 chowk for an hour! I would love to watch the rain fall over the Sukhna Lake. But, there are very few sheltered spots there and even those are at the way end of the trail. There is no way to get to those, unless one walked miles in thundering rain. With the lack of movie theatres in the city, the last recourse is Fun Republic - too metropolitan and too enclosed for a rainy day. And a megaplex can never let the feeling of a rainy day in! Sector 17 would be a nicer place to hang out on a rainy day - although, one could feel the absence of a coffee shop, since Barista closed its door. Of course, one can sit at home and eat some pakoras with chai. Or listen to some new music. For that we need a good FM station that we don't have. We can all walk around in the neigbourhood parks, but that will be a rather unusual sight. We can watch some TV, provided cable or dish has not been knocked off. Or we can do the Tribune Suduko, if the paper did not get too wet. On my way to work today, I was brooding over the fact that there is very little to do in Chandigarh on a rainy day! My car was stopped at a red light between two sectors. I was shaken out of my musings by a gentle tapping on the window. There stood an old couple - a frail and tiny woman with her very old husband with a lathi. The lady was trying to talk to me. On lowering my window, she asked me if I could drop them at the nearby Gurdwara. Kind of baffled at first, I collected my wits and then said yes. A rather unusual happening for someone like me, who has spent all her adulthood in big metros. I drove them to the Gurdwara and helped them out. They were happy. The old man and frail looking lady thanked me profusely. At least I did something worthwhile on a rainy day!
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Colour carnival Cross the threshold of a bank and you find a festive atmosphere all around. Buntings and balloons flowing all around, children in a jolly temperament, and parents all excited about their kids’ creativity. Sounds freaky! Doesn’t it? Well this is a myth come true, that banks are all about adults dealing with finances and complex schemes. At least in regard to YES bank. A new entrant in city, it organised a kids’ Colour carnival today in its Sector 9 branch. Belief in community development, led this bank to hold such an event. “ In this hectic and stressful life children seldom get to spend time with their parents. This is a subtle initiative that can act as a stress buster for them,” says, Shweta Datta, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility. With a promise of more such events in the near future they reveal that there is no contest among the kids to avoid depressed faces and subdued spirits considering the tender age group of 4-12 years for which this carnival was meant. “We are gifting them with a colour kit with which they will first work and then can take back home.” reveals, Ruchi Tiwari, Relationship Manager. Watching the kids play with pencils and colours was a visual delight for sure. While mountains were a favourite among them, many of them also sketched out beautiful underwater scenes. Aakriti, a 10-year-old kid, chose the theme ‘ambition’, and being skeptical about her future she visualized herself as a doctor, a scuba diver and even a ‘bayblader’, while her sister Ananya was busy munching her burger. Another kid Arshiya, kept herself amused with Scooby-doo on television in front of her eyes and chips in her mouth. Quite feeling herself at home she stuck a bunting on the sheet to decorate her creation.
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A glittering success
But what about her future plans? Neha informs that these days, she is shuttling from Mumbai to Delhi for ramp shows. Born in Mumbai and brought up in Delhi, she did her education from Delhi University. She never imagined that her life would change at the age of 20, when one of her friend suggested her to participate for Pond’s Femina 2006. She was selected among the 4000 entries for the contest. Fate knocked at her door when she won three titles, Miss Talented, Miss personality and Best textured skin. “Working in ads like Baush & Lomb, Mohan Lal Sons and etc not only help her to make a new image with the commercial world but also groom her for the future,” she smiles. She also participated in Germany Fashion Week 2006 in Germany as a model. She felt new experiences during her education days when she was a Mass Comm. student. “My faith is shaken and shattered when she interacts with the children at slum areas, industrial sites for her documentary film Child Abuse”, muses the lady. Not to make fashion line as a career for her future, she is interested in producing and direction of the films.
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Health tip of the day
Breathing exercises are important as they improve the vital capacity of the lungs. Inadequate intake of oxygen and elimination of sufficient carbondioxide results in oxygen deficiency in our body. As every cell in the body requires oxygen, it affects the health of a person. — Dr. Ravinder Chadha |
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Cellular-phone gaming is ringing in excitement amidst so many upwardly mobile youngsters connected to the excitement in the city!
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Attitude counts a lot in the industry and Neha Mishra seems to have a lot of it. But more than her positive attitude, she credits her parents for her success.