CHANDIGARH INDEX


Take it or leave it
When we talk about one of the most basic rights of women, we obviously mean maternity leave and medical facilities she is entitled to during and post pregnancy. So, six months of maternity leave is granted to women in the public sector. Even daily-wagers are entitled to six months leave. The corporate sector being a little less generous allows only three months. But not before the Delhi High Court made a suggestion on Monday did we realise that there was another section of women entitled to ‘the’ right.


Bang on time
Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi was in the city to promote his upcoming album ‘Back With A Bang’
A die-hard Punjabi music fan would give us a bang on approval on this. Nine out of 10 Punjabi songs have lyrics that highlight a ‘dunaali’ (gun), ‘kajehri’ (court) and ‘jat da badla’ (Jats’ revenge). Common people, let’s give it a break and move to better themes.


Photo: S Chandan

Well Seated!
Good furniture at the workplace can motivate employees to perform better
Quickly, list five reasons as to why you ‘willingly’ feel like going to the office? Now, this is going to take a while to answer, we bet. Allow us to help you on this. To begin with, we like to attend office because it is an inevitable drill (lest you are close to Ratan Tata or Sunil Mittal). Second, nobody tolerates an idle soul lazing around at home the whole day (lest you are a bachelor with no strings attached).

Bon Appetit
‘Eggs’traordinary
I love eggs! I suspect it’s a serious fixation that probably needs medical attention! If I’m not cooking with eggs, I’m painting them! I’ll even pick up a discarded eggshell, perforate it at the ‘pole’ end, run a wick through it and pour in melted wax from left-over stubs of candles. Later, I peel off the egg shell, so I’m left with my own dome-shaped designer candle! The next step is to spruce it up with beads and sequins! Sound insane, don’t I? But that’s me.

Fantasy world
To create a short flick that matches international sci-fi standards is a task that the young, creative students at Frameboxx Animation & Visual Effects Institute have taken up. And after a look at the teaser of their production, Parallax, they seem to be on the right path!

Business of religion
For many, religion and business is an either-or choice, a zero-sum game where shrewd become successful, and ethics and achievement don't run parallel.

Melody man
Born on the Independence Day in 1989, gifted singer Azad Bahot is set to scale greater heights in the world of music. Coming from a humble family background, Azad was earlier into light singing. Later, he learnt classical music from Pandit Subhash Chander Ghosh and under noted music director Kanwar Iqbal. "I am indeed lucky to learn from renowned personalities of music in college, and now at the Punjab University from Neelam Paul, Arvind Sharma and others." says Azad, who is now pursing a Masters in Vocal Music.

Pretty ‘fat’ Woman
Hollywood actor Julia Roberts says she piled on the pounds while filming her movie Eat Pray Love in Italy. The Pretty Woman star plays the role of a person who goes on a year-long cultural and spiritual trip to India, Italy and Bali in the film and admits she couldn't resist tucking in to hearty plates of pizza and pasta during the scenes shot in Rome. "I've always been a friend of food. I probably put on about seven pounds in Rome when we were shooting. I ate a lot of pizzas in Naples. It was just great. But it was hard on take 10 on a giant plate of pasta," she said.

Calm & composed


Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra displays a message in the newly launched book A Calmer You by Sonal Kalra in Mumbai recently. — PTI photo

No bias please!
Jessica Alba has criticised the Hollywood film industry for its bias against Hispanic actors. "Jennifer Lopez is a huge star, but in Hollywood they still always want her to play the maid. I love her because she opened doors for ethnic girls like me. I want to break down more barriers," she said.

Hot ‘n’ spicy
The zooming sales of chillies in Britain show that Britons increasingly prefer hot and spicy food. Chilli farmers have increased their output following demand from foodies. Salvatore Genovese, a farmer, sends out a million Dorset Naga chillies from his farm in Blunham, Beds, every week.

Just friends
Hollywood actor Drew Barrymore has denied reports that she is dating TV executive Cort Cass. "Drew and Cort have been out six times or so. They were hanging out... and were very lovey dovey," a source had said. However, Barrymore's spokesperson has played down the rumours, insisting they are "just friends". — Agency