CHANDIGARH INDEX


Tranga@TwitterGen
Some of these Facebookers are the global face of the city. Some of the ones who Twitter are also the voice of youngistaanis. This Independence Day, Chetna Keer Banerjee feels the pulse of some movers & shakers from Young India. Here’s freedom for FacebookGen…
Hum laye hain Cannes se 3-D nikhar ke
Avi Sidhu
This tricity trio had a Cannes outing this summer when their film The Eyes of Silence was showcased there in the Emerging Filmmakers' category. Here, animator Avi Sidhu, director, Navdeep Dhillon, screenplay and script-writer, and Navneet Kinger, producer-editor, chat country 'wise':

Mohe rang de Pink...
Chandigarh writer Tishaa in a suit specially designed for I-day in LA Nineteen-year-old Chandigarh girl Tishaa Khosla, author of teen chartbuster Pink or Black, recently added a feather to her cap when she bagged a nomination for the Indiaplaza Golden Quill Books Award 2009. At present pursuing a filmmaking course in the USA she spells out what it is to be a Young Indian in the global fraternity: "The first step in showing patriotism is showing pride in your country. You don't have to shout aloud 'I love my country', a small gesture like educating even a few underprivileged children also means your heart beats for India.

Chandigarh writer Tishaa in a suit specially designed for I-day in LA

Aye mere youngistaan ke logo
City-bred VJ Ayushmann Khurrana has been the voice of Youngistaan on channel MTV. On I-Day, this youngistaani voices patriotic bytes: “Patriotism starts from a microcosm and manifests itself in everyday acts like honesty towards one's work, one's friends, family and all. It's not about slogans twice or thrice a year, but about everyday acts like not littering the roads, not giving or taking bribes etc.

Mere desh ki dharti techies ugle…
Ankit Khurana City guy Ankit Khurana and his team from Chitkara institute won prizes in a global car fiesta, Shell Eco Marathon 2009, USA, recently. Here, the tech whiz talks tricolor and all: "I'd like to show patriotism by winning new laurels and accolades for my country with my work. We, Young Indians, want to take India forward in the field of technology with our passion so as to make it a technological powerhouse.

Phir bhi show hai Hindustaani
 Akash Beri Panchkula lad Akash Beri, anchor, UTV Bindass, takes a break from Dadagiri to spout some Azaadi-giri:"Patriotism can be shown through small acts, like obeying traffic rules, by not littering the roads etc.

Freedom to soar
Hope floats around. For once, youngsters are not cursing the system and the zillion loopholes in it. They are not talking about unemployment, recession or flaws in the educational policy. And for once, they feel things will change for good for sure. The 63rd Independence Day celebrations organised by BIG 92.7 FM in association with a city-based NGO, Tamana, at Punjab University Student Centre, was an eye opener - youth today has no time to crib, they believe that things will change and they must contribute for it. So, as the RJ's Anubhav, Abhimanyu, Sophie, went about tying tri- colour bands and distributing flags to the students and shopkeepers at Stu-C, they also stopped a minute to test the zest, vigour and sensitivity for patriotism. 

Get fresh
Okay, you haven't got a chance to showcase your talent so far. Not even in any of the reality shows. Here is your chance. Manchtantra, a theatre group, is looking for actors sans attitude but with evident streaks of dedication and commitment. 

Jai ho! on consoles
Independence Day. Of course, it calls for a much-waited holiday. But then, it means different things to different people. Like every year, a day to catch the direct relay of the flag hoisting ceremony in the Capital. A day to forward messages stepped in patriostism, visit friends, drive up hill or check out some latest flicks. Did you know it also called for dancing to some foot-tapping Independence Day tunes! City deejays are all set to celebrate the day in style - music, masti and more.

Bakers’ delight
Chitkara School of Hospitality organised a tricolor theme Bakery Chef Competition" at its Rajpura campus. The theme for this competition was Independence Day celebrations. Students of II and III year I.H.M demonstrated their innovations through their baking skills. A tricolor theme really requires deep understanding of the concept as to what all is going to be the mixology of different ingredients.

Bon Appetit
Try colour
For some time now, "Jai ho" is being belted out at instances appropriate as well as inopportune but on our Independence Day, I can't think of a better caption for my column! Living in Delhi, the annual visit to Laal Quila on August 15 was a regular feature, never questioned, never changing. Being a teacher of English in later years left me with a cluster of hilarious memories associated with this day. My pupils were assigned the usual Independence Day essay to write, and I received some masterpieces, never to be forgotten! One child begun with, "Mr Morargi Desia gives a 'massage' to the public…" while another wound up his essay with "….at the end of the ceremony, he was given 31 GUNSHOTS!"