YOUTH PULSE

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Funky no more
Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service

PEROXIDE blondes — brunettes with deep-dyed attitude — are painting the city mahogany brown, assertively.

If you do not believe it, drive down to Sector 17, or any other shopping arcade in the city. Golden streaks, mischievously peeping out of dark tresses, dazzle you as pretty damsels gently pile up their hair in a bun, aware of the appreciating glances.

In days that are no more, and will, perhaps, never come back, hair colour was for rebellious punks or for that kind of look. Henna was gently rubbed into grizzly hair with glove coated hands not necessarily for that “phirang look”, but for hiding strokes of white on black canvas of tresses.

Others, with not so revolutionary spirit, would simply zip down to college campuses on mopeds with soft curls left open. As they accelerated down the roads and streets on the heart of city guys, their hair would flutter wildly as if struggling to break free.

That was years ago. Before the open India skies brought funky pop culture into the bedrooms of city residents. As the intelligent-box, popularly known as television, highlighted Hollywood of 90s through exclusive movie and music channels, dames turned into on-the-move mannequins with hair dyed in elegant, subtle, colours.

Little wonder, men in dark gel-set hair today turn their heads in appreciation as flappers with dark auburn hair trot down the market corridors in high-heel ankle boots. “Wow” escapes their lips as fair translucent fingers hold together the red tinged hair tumbling down the fair shoulders before clasping it in a cheerful rubber band.

Explaining the trend, young socio-psychologist Zubina Sandhu says, “In today’s world of ostentation, where show off is considered the only positive value, and beauty an asset, girls, without much confidence in their appearance, often try to acquire looks they do not possess. That’s the reason why you see so many of them wearing shaded lenses and dying their hair red”.

She adds: “If you are fair, and hair in contrasting hue is the only difference between your looks and that of a foreigner, you can easily bridge the gap by going in for hair colour. The only problem is that you get appreciation for something that is not yours.”

Anyway folks, before you decide to colour yourself good, here are some tips: Try going in for ammonia free permanent hair colour. Remember red and gold tones show up more on light-coloured hair. If you are unsure, go ahead with a lighter shade. You can easily darken it later. If you have previously coloured your hair, opt for a similar or a darker shade. Another thing, if you have applied henna, wait for another two months.

You can also go in for temporary colours available in “Tripid out pink”, “Glow stick yellow”, “Freaking blue”, “Trance purple” and “Wrapped green”. Just squeeze a small amount into your palms, rub the hands together and run them through towel-dried or damp hair. Wash it if you wanna remove it, later that is. Simple. Easy come, easy go.

CHILLOUT ZONE
Getting ready for serious flirting

BHANGRA music’s techno beats are drowned under excited shrieks as city guys in bicep-revealing t-shirts over swinging blue denims turn around to admire three damsels stepping out of a luxury car in front of Sector 10 DAV College for a quick bite.

What? Dames getting out of a car in front of DAV College? And that also to munch. You must be joking. Well, if that is what your reaction is, go to the road dividing the college and the lawn tennis courts, now. You will see the reality right in front of your eyes.

Every now and then, maidens with Bohemian curls in short cropped tops teamed with alluring jeans emerge spotless from a cloud of dust set off by rolling wheels coming to a screeching halt bang opposite the kiosk.

As they pull out their wallets from back pockets of hip-huggers to pick up burgers, along with cold-drink bottles, a deep sigh escapes the dry lips of forlorn guys. They jump forward on the pretext of buying goodies, shift weight from one leg to another as the dames pay for the snacks and position themselves at a strategic location “where eyes meet, if not the hearts”.

Little wonder, throughout the day there is a struggle among the students to find bikes. No, not for zipping down the geri route, but for sitting on them. Preferred are the ones parked right in front of the eatery. If two-wheelers are not available at tactical position, no problem. Vehicles are parked right up to the market.

Others, clutching tightly the steering wheels of jaunty jalopies shift the gear into neutral only if they see crowd walking down the street with pizzas balanced in delicate hands. “Otherwise, they accelerate, only to return again after a gap of few minutes,” says Ripu Daman Singh Thakur, a regular visitor to the spot.

Well, charming lasses are only reason behind the joint’s popularity. “Fast food hangouts frequented by real good crowd are generally expensive. That’s the reason why you cannot go there regularly. But here, the story is different,” says another sightseer Dig Vijay Singh. “You can get what you want after pulling nominal sum from your wallets. If you wish to savour sumptuous pizza, you have to take out just Rs 30. Nominal, isn’t it?”

But that’s not the best thing about this place, claims student Karan Vishesh. “If I go to sector 17, I am caught. The tale is not very different in Sector 35. It is, however, absolutely safe out here. Why? Well, college is the last place my parents will look for me”. So folks, have a nice and a safe flirty time. 

TIP TOP
Mobile can often be a handicap

SHE had answered all the questions almost perfectly. Reposing before the cafeteria manager on a comfy sofa set in cream shirt teamed with formal trousers of matching hue, Radhu had told him everything she knew about the origin of coffee beans. Just when she was sure of getting the after-college job, the mobile rang. It was her mother asking about lunch. She replied and lost the opportunity.

“I was impressed by her confidence and was sure of issuing the appointment letter,” the manager asserts, “but then the phone rang. My impression changed. If she cannot resist the temptation of answering the phone, she cannot cater to our customers”.

So all you kids hoping to land up with a real good part-time job, remember to switch off the mobile. “A mobile phone in the top pocket of your shirt may give the impression that you are up-to-date, easily accessible person,” asserts Raman Sharma, a business executive with a multinational organisation. “But if the instrument rings in the middle of the conversation, even towards the end of it, the impression is going to be bad. Nothing less. It may even irritate the interviewer. It is better to be out of touch with the outside world for a few minutes then to display some kind of casual approach towards the entire matter”.

Another thing. Never attend an interview without a neat copy of your resume. “Empty hands leave poor impression,” reveals industrialist Rajeev Kumaria. “Always carry a copy of your bio-data and supporting documents tagged in a file. Also make sure that the copy is neatly typed and not crumpled”.

This is not all. Make sure that the name of the authority concerned is not mis-spelt. “Nothing bugs a person more than incorrect spellings of his name,” says Sangeeta, owner of a fashion arcade. “If you cannot spell the name correctly, you cannot do anything right. That’s what we all believe in”.

Last thing. Do your homework well. “It’s so easy now-a-days,” says young executive Sapna Kapoor. “Most of the organisations have their own sites. All you have to do is to click at the site and gather as much information as you can and quote the relevant facts whenever you get a chance. This will give the interviewer the impression that you are genuinely interested in the organisation and have not just walked into the room casually”.

VENUS SPEAKS
Starry feet

SHE reaches for the stars with her comely feet firm on the ground. That’s why, perhaps, she takes real good care of them.

“Am very particular about the softness of my feet,” whispers model-cum-Panjab University student Karishma. “So I immerse them in a basin of hot water after adding hydrogen-peroxide and shampoo to it. I then scrub and cream my feet before applying nail polish”.

But what about her locks tumbling down her translucent shoulders? “Oh! My tresses dry up easily, so every weekend I oil my hair before wrapping up my head in warm wet towel for about 10 to 15 minutes,” she asserts. “Then I shampoo and apply conditioner to my curls”.

And face? “Well, my visage tends to tan easily,” she croons. “So I try not to move around a lot in the hot sun and use Apollo-block regularly. Also, I go in for face clearing once a week”.

Exercise? “I am not very regular, but I do take my Dalmatian out for a run. Ten to 15 minutes that is — enough for me to burn necessary, oops, unnecessary, calories”.

EDUCATION

Freshers welcomed amid fanfare
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
Songs, dances, skits and a debate marked the talent search-cum-welcome party for freshers organised at the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Institute of Vocational Studies, Sector 27, here today.

Students of first semester participated enthusiastically in the debate on “Role of Nursery Teachers in Education”, “Effects of television on education”, “Modern Education” and “Child-centered education”.

Giddha and a Rajasthani folk dance besides dances on Punjabi pop numbers were also presented. Education-related skits conveying the teacher-student relationship and a comedy on love marriage were also staged.

To choose Ms Fresher from amongst the new entrants at the institute, a four-round modelling session was also organised. This comprised the introductory round, acting ability, walking and question-answer round.

While Simerpreet Kaur bagged the title, Jolly Kashyap was crowned first runners-up and Meenakshi was selected second runners-up in the contest.

Later, a prize distribution function was held. Among those honoured were winners of today’s modelling contest, students with distinction in academics and winners of the pot painting, glass painting and fabric painting workshop.

Charkha, poetry contests held
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
Charkha and poetry-writing contests were organised by the Charkha Club of Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36, here today. The function was organised to revive the values and traditions propounded by Mahatma Gandhi on the eve of his birth anniversary.

The judges on the occasion included Dr S.S. Goindi, a renowned social worker and active promoter of Gandhian thoughts, Mr Parmod Kumar Sharma, president, Yuvsatta, and Ms Anuradha Chopra, a Lecturer at the college.

Speaking at the function, Dr (Ms) Satinder Dhillon motivated the prospective teachers to imbibe the values of the Father of the Nation. She added that developing simple living and high thinking among students would help the new generation in becoming more caring and sympathetic.

The club in charge, Dr (Ms) Jyoti Khanna, encouraged the students to enhance our tradition and culture and follow the path of Mahtma Gandhi.

The results of the contests are as follows: Charkha competition: Rupinder (I), Manju (II), Namrata and Saroj Thakur (III), Saroj Kumari (consolation); Poetry writing: Rupinder Kaur (I), Rozy (II), Meghna Aggarwal and Bhawna (III).

Stress on improving nano-technology R&D
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
As many as 200 scientists, researchers, engineers and policy makers here today recommended to India to concentrate on nanoelectronics which includes quantum devices, molecular devices based on polymers and biomolecules as DNA, self assembly phenomenon for synthesizing new materials and targeted drug delivery.

The other areas where the emerging technology could be used is product oriented microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), bio MEMS for micro diagnostic kits, optical MEMS and robotics and artificial intelligence.

Delegates on the conclusion of the two-day 45th annual technical convention on nano-technology held by the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE) also realised nano-technology being multi-disciplinary in nature required multi-institutional networking R &D to achieve scientific excellence and product oriented globally competitive R & D.

As many as 60 research papers were read in the convention on nano-technology overview, nano-electronics, micro-electro mechanical systems, bionano-technology and nano-materials and characterisation.

The Director of the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Dr R.P. Bajpai, Semi-Conductors Limited CMD, Dr M J Zarabi, IETE President Prof K.K. Aggarwal, his predecessor Major General (retd.) Y. Deva, Dr H.C. Sharma and Dr Babu Rao had a panel discussion at the end of the session that discussed opportunities and negative sides of the new technology.

Dr Lalit M. Joshi, convener of the convention, prepared recommendations of the technical conference.

The delegates yesterday began an exercise to evaluate applications of nano-technology (the one that is going to change the way we live, communicate and think) for finding a direction for the emerging field of science.

COURTS

HIGH COURT
Last come, first go ruling in contract case
Tribune News Service

The Judge further held: “Admittedly, there are a number of vacancies available. Of course, those vacancies would be filled by persons belonging to the categories for which the posts are meant. In theses circumstances, we allow the writ petition and direct that the petitioner would be entitled to continue in her job till a regular incumbent was appointed. While dispensing with the services of the petitioner, the principle of last come, first go would be observed”.

DSP told to check security threat

Acting on a petition filed by petitioner in Faridabad illegal mining case journalist Subhash Sharma, Mr Justice Ahsutosh Mohunta of the High Court today directed a Deputy Superintendent of Police to see if threat to his security was still there.

The Judge added that the withdrawal of security could be considered if the petitioner was not facing any threat. Mr Sharma had expressed apprehension regarding his safety following the escape of a “dreaded criminal” from Gurgaon Jail.

Mr Sharma had added that the High Court, while taking up his petition against Haryana, had referred the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation. He had added that a minister and his brother were reportedly contacted by the criminal after his escape from the jail. The CID had reportedly informed the authorities that his life was in danger but still the security was withdrawn without ascribing reasons. The journalist had sought directions to the authorities to stop illegal extraction of minerals by the respondents and also to take action against them.

Pre-arrest bail for IAS officer

Issuing notice of motion for November 1 on a petition filed by Punjab IAS officer Rupan Deol Bajaj, Mr Justice R.C. Kathuria of the High Court today stayed her arrest till then.

Ms Deol had filed the petition seeking the grant of anticipatory bail following the issuance of non-bailable warrants against her by a Sirsa court. The warrants were issued while taking up a suit filed by Chief Minister’s son, Abhey Chautala.

Produce photos in NDPS case

Can six persons travel in a Maruti car with three 40 kg bags of contraband? In an attempt to answer the question which can cause a considerable dent in the prosecution story in an NDPS case, Mr Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel on Tuesday directed the state of Punjab to secure a photograph after reproducing the scene.

Issuing the directions, Mr Justice Goel asked the state counsel to produce by October 28 in court photographs of the six persons sitting in a the car with three bags each of 40 kg of poppy husk “in the manner alleged in the present case”.

The directions were issued after counsel for Randhir Singh and other appellants, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment, stated that it was not possible for so many people to sit in a car with three bags of contraband.

Notice to CBI in arms licence case

Taking up a petition filed by two Punjab MLAs, Dr Mohinder Kumar Rinwa and Hans Raj Jossan seeking directions to the Central Bureau of Investigation for properly investigating Ferozepur’s arms licence scam, Mr Justice V.M. Jain issued notice of motion for October 4.

In their petition, the MLAs had alleged that the premier investigation agency had not even started the process.

CONSUMER COURTS
Travel agency told to pay relief
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 1
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-II has directed Grand Travel Planners Private Limited (GTPPL), Sector-17 and British Airways, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Gurgaon Road, New Delhi, to pay a compensation of Rs 60, 000 to a city resident for deficiency in services.

A resident of Sector 38-A, Dr Jasbir S. Bedi, had filed a complaint against GTPPL and British Airways (BA). In his complaint, Mr Bedi stated that on July 17, 2000 GTPPL had given to him four confirmed British Airways tickets in (for the complainant, his wife and two children) of British Airways, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Gurgaon Road, New Delhi for Delhi-London-Paris-London-Delhi for Rs 1,28, 000. These tickets were for British Airways-145 flight which was to leave the Indira Gandhi airport, on July 23, 2000.

Dr Bedi said he, along with his family members, boarded the BA-145 flight on July 23, 2000 from Delhi to London. They stayed at London for 10 days and then took the flight for Paris.

Giving details about the harassment faced by him and his family members due to poor services provided by the travel agency and British Airways, Dr Bedi added that after getting the tickets reconfirmed at London and Paris from the Airport BA staff, they reported at Charles de Gaulle (Terminal-II) airport at Paris on August 8, 2000 at 5 p.m for their return journey to London and then to Delhi.

The complainant added that after their luggage was taken in and the tags were issued to them, they were told by British Airways staff that two of their tickets were confirmed, while the other two were not. Therefore, the complainant and his family could not take the return flight. He said they had to stay back in Paris at their own expenses as BA staff did not help in accommodating them in a hotel till their tickets were confirmed.

He further complained that after a lot of persuasion, the officer on duty changed their flight route and re-issued tickets from Paris to London and from London to Mumbai for the next morning and handed over the boarding passes for an Air-India flight from Mumbai to Delhi for August 10, 2000. The complainant further added that they suffered great inconvenience, discomfort, and harassment from London to Mumbai as the entire luggage could not be boarded on same flight.

Dr Bedi further added that they had to wait at the Mumbai airport for 7 to 8 hours till the next flight of Air India took off from Mumbai to Delhi.

In its detailed order, the Forum-II further directed GTPPL and British Airways, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Gurgoan Road, to pay Rs 1,000 as cost of litigation. Finding deficiency in the services, Forum-II held that the complainant had claimed £ 1320. But GTPPL and British Airways had already paid him compensation under this head amounting to Rs 29, 479.

The Forum-II further held “the complainant was found entitled to £ 1320 on the conversion rate applicable on August 10, 2000, of which 29,476 have already been received by the complainant. This amount shall be adjusted. If resultant amount exceeds Rs 45,000, then the complainant would be entitled to only Rs 45,000 but if the resultant amount is less than Rs 45,000, then the complainant would be entitled to a lesser amount. The compensation under this head shall be paid by British Airways only. But the compensation of Rs 60, 000 shall be paid to the complainant by GTPPL and British Airways and their liability in this respect shall be joint, several and co-extensive.”

Ex-minister gets bail
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, October 1
A former Haryana minister Mr Dharamvir Yadav, who had been declared a proclaimed offender in a corruption case, was today granted bail by Mr S. K. Kapoor, Additional Sessions Judge.

In his bail application, he had pleaded that he be granted bail as he had joined the investigation and assured that he would make himself available to the court as and when required.

Earlier, contractor Gautam Sethi, had complained to the Haryana Vigilance Bureau, alleging that the minister, through an SDO, had demanded a bribe of Rs 5 lakh from him. Mr Sethi had been given the contract for the construction of Sector 6 General Hospital building by the Haryana Government in 1998.

DISTRICT COURTS
Bail plea of suspect in rape case dismissed
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 1
The UT Additional and Sessions Judge, Mr Balbir Singh, today dismissed a bail plea moved by a suspect, Ram Lal, in the rape of Shimla-based girl.

The suspect Ram Lal had stated in his plea that there was no allegation levelled against him by the victim. Claiming that he was innocent and being falsely implicated in the case, he stated in his plea that initially the case was registered against M.K Jain, on the statement of the victim under Sections 328 and 376 of the IPC, and later the police evolved its own version by forcing the victim to change her statement on June 9, 2002 recorded under Sections 164 of the CrPC. The police also added Sections 177, 389 and 120-B and 115 IPC against him.

He had also alleged that it was clear that the FIR was against M.K Jain for committing the rape. A further statement recorded under Section 164, CrPC, on August 15, 2002 in a lower court also corroborated the version of the victim. He said not a word against him had been said by the victim in her statement recorded on June 9, 2002.

The four suspects who had been arrested by the UT police — Ram Lal, Baldev Singh, Surinder Sharma and Narveer — have already been remanded in judicial custody by a local court.

Meanwhile, in a separate anticipatory bail plea moved by the suspect, Ram Lal, in a cheating case, the Judge issued a notice to the state the file reply till October 4. He had filed an anticipatory bail plea in a case registered against him in Sector 31 on cheating charges. He has claimed in the plea that the UT police wanted to make him approver in another case pending against him but he refused. Therefore, the police had threatened him to implicate him in other cases. He was booked by the UT police on September 24, 2002 under Sections 420, 120-B of the IPC.

Bail for accused in MLA murder case
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 1
Nearly six years after Kharar’s former MLA Bachittar Singh succumbed to his injuries after being attacked on his return journey from a rally in Ludhiana, Justice R.L. Anand and Justice Viney Mittal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today granted bail to Inderpreet Singh by suspending his sentence during the pendency of the appeal. He, along with other accused, was convicted by Chandigarh’s Additional District and Sessions Judge

The former MLA, it may be recalled, was murdered in December, 1996. According to the prosecution, the victim was shot after the assassins alighted from a car.

The prosecution had added that Bachittar Singh was returning from Ludhiana after attending “Chetna rally” organised by the Akali Dal. A first information report under the Arms Act, besides Sections 302 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, was subsequently registered on the complaint of elected SGPC member Sadhu Singh, of Kharar.

Resolution challenged

In a petition filed before the High Court, Haryana’s Deputy Advocate-General Sukhraj Singh Brar has challenged a resolution passed by the Bar Council of India. Taking up the petition, the High Court today issued notice of motion for October 22.

As per the resolution, provison to rule 49 of the Bar Council of India Rules has been deleted. Mr Brar’s petition will now be taken up with another petition filed by advocate Paramjeet Singh Goraya.

Suspension stayed

A Division Bench of the High Court today stayed the order passed by the Punjab Government whereby Ropar’s District Education Officer Malti Batra was suspended.

Taking up the application, the Bench, comprising Justice S.S. Nijjar and Justice Jasbir Singh, also directed the Principal Secretary Education and the DPI (Primary) to file affidavits with regard to preliminary inquiry conducted against the petitioner. In her petition, Dr Batra had alleged that the order was illegal and arbitrary. The government, it may be recalled, had suspended Dr Batra on September 20.

CULTURE

Capturing nuances of opera
Our Correspondent

The Punjab Governor and Administrator, UT Chandigarh Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), was the chief guest on this occasion. The operetta will also be staged on Wednesday.

A colourful tribute to legendary artists
Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 1
Muninder Bajwa, an amateur artist, has come up with her first solo exhibition of paintings at IndusInd Art Gallery in Sector 8. But what makes it different from many other amateur artists is that she is brave enough to imitate the legendary artists like Jean honore Fragonard, Pierre Auguste Renoir Robert Hubert and many more in the same league.

So the foreign touch comes as a dominant factor in her paintings. The replica of “The Pursuit of Love” by Fragonard or Washerwomen by Sir Willium Russel Flint might not gel with the Indian lifestyle but they make excellent drawingrooms pieces for their aesthetic values only.

However, one can get a glimpse of the artist’s originality in her “Fruits” series in water colour. The series that include plums, grapes, apples and pears certainly shows her command over the medium. A self-taught artist she owes her creativity to the great masters from Antone watteau to Renoir, to Frangonard to John Goodall, their technics which she learned through books.

“This exhibition is an ode to all of them,” says Muninder. And of course she did not want to take a risk with her very first exhibition. “By exhibiting their work I do not stand much at risk as the artist may not be known but their work is known all over,” she adds.

Muninder as an artist holds promise as she has a sense of blending colours that hold immense visual appeal. The brush strokes run in the right direction to give a three dimentional effect to her paintings.

The exhibition which was titled “Barewalls” was inaugurated by PWD Minister, Punjab, Mr Partap Singh Bajwa. The exhibition will be open for public viewing till October 9.