CHANDIGARH INDEX


Just Jassi
This Jassi believes hockey jaisi koi nahi
He reads almost everything that’s written about him. And while roving his eyes through the newspaper, his eyes stop wherever he sees the any word that bears similarity with his name, or even if it starts with ‘J’. “I stop to look whether there’s anything on me,” says Jasbir Jassi, in the city to perform the Punjab Gold Cup at Hockey Stadium-42 on Wednesday.

Maiden love
For this French man, the city is like a beautiful woman who has retained her charm
Le Corbusier penned these lines probably in an effort to put words to his passion for building. And, for those who fell in love with his masterpiece called Chandigarh, any reason would stand out. The city has become an iconic entity as well as a living laboratory that attracts a number of architects and conservationists. One such admirer is Prelorenzo Claude, secretary-general, Le Corbusier Foundation in Paris.

Ajay and Bips comic return
Ajay Devgan is all excited to begin work on his second home production, which will be a comedy film directed by Golmaal famed Rohit Shetty. The actor, who made his directorial debut with U, Me aur Hum said the (untitled) film will be a comedy and start rolling in March in picturesque Goa.

Birthday Boy
With eight years in tinsel town and a mixed bag of performances, Abhishek Bachchan, who turned 33 on Thursday, says his acting style is more like his mother Jaya's rather than of his iconic father Amitabh Bachchan.

Dance pe chance
He and his dancing partner Daljit may have wowed the whole country with their dancing skills in Nach baliye 4 by emerging winners after beating favourites Naman and Megha but Shaleen says he has never been prone to dancing and that the only previous dance training he had was dancing in baraats.


Shaleen and Daljit winners of Nach Baliye 4

SRK's gift to Gauri
Shah Rukh KhanBollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan shared his thoughts on his upcoming movie Billu Barber while promoting it in New Delhi recently. Produced by his wife Gauri Khan, the movie is a remake of the hugely successful Malayalam film Kadha Parayumbol. However, on being asked as to what he is gifting to his wife on Valentines' Day, he at his romantic best replied by dedicating his entire life to her than just Billu Barber.

Hello TUNEZ
A classic tale of remix
LUCK BY CHANCE (BIG MUSIC): Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani and the composer trio of Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy have worked together quite regularly and have given us such films as Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya, Honeymoon Travels and Rock On. Music is the mainstay of their offerings, whether the film is a hit or not. Well, they have not disappointed here either.

Bamboo shoot


Students from University of Washington, Seattle and their counterparts from Chandigarh College of Architecture work on Nehru’s concept of City Beautiful using bamboo as a medium in the city’s Sector-17 plaza on Thursday. Lifestyle photo: Pradeep Tewari

Groom to grow
Miss India Finalist 2008 Alisha Pekha, in the tricity for a show, talks of the need of better grooming facilities for Indians taking part in global beauty pageants
Anybody from the fraternity of fashion, films, and floss and what do you expect? Perfect smile, photo op, politically correct answers, blah blah…Well, not every time and this once is included. Meet Alisha Pekha, Miss India Finalist 2008, in the city for a show. Not surprisingly, the dull, drowsy questions like ‘How was the experience of being a finalist?’ or ‘How sad was what happened at Mumbai on 26/11?’ replace some blunt bare talking. After a long, long gap, India found some recognition at International platform this year. She says, “There was a time when India won so many crowns in a row. Then a lull. And this time, yes, Parvathy was a very smart contestant. And now, the next time whosoever goes on to the international platform, will be looked upon, paid attention to.”

Speaking through canvas
Notwithstanding physical disabilities, this artist is gearing up for national competition
For the one who wants to communicate, mouth is not the only means. Simranjeet Singh, like all others is free to ‘speak’ his mind out, his ideas and inspirations are loud enough for everybody to see. Yeah, see not hear, for the fact that he cannot speak and hear. But that is not an issue of concern for this young, aspiring painter. He doesn’t exactly know when and how he got into the world of colours and canvas but he knows that this is something he considers a god’s gift and wants to take his passion for painting to great heights. And his journey has already started, he won a silver medal at the recently held Regional Ebilympics in New Delhi. The event had over 400 participants from eight states competing in the field of painting, photography and other activities.

Launch PAD
Sun safe

Lotus Herbals Ltd, India’s leading natural beauty care brand, has entered the Men’s skin care segment with “Safe Sun Men Advanced Daily UV Shield, PA+++, SPF30. Especially formulated for male skin, the daily UV Shield also doubles up as a soothing post shave moisturizer with anti-septic properties. This sunblock for men is oil-free and provides skin moisturisation in a non-sticky manner.

Side Lanes
A breath of Kashmir
Friends of ours recently made a trip to Kashmir, where they stayed on a houseboat. Except for the visible presence of the security forces, Srinagar has returned to its previous ranking as a tourist attraction. Brinda and Biri did all the things we used to do in ’65. They were taken in the houseboat’s shikaara across the lake to see the old Mughal gardens, lighted up now for night viewing.

Basant bonanza
The Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi is organizing ‘Aai Basant Bahar,’ a programme of classical vocal music, on February 6.