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| Wednesday,
December 4, 2002, Chandigarh, India |
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Glitz & glamour Everywhere you look, you will discover pretty damsels trotting in wide-legged pants. In college campuses, as the energetic afternoon sun happily beams on all alike, sirens in Lycra spaghetti tops, teamed with boot-cuts, knock down to the narrow corridors discussing the contribution of guys in the development of geri route in the 20th century. Or else, you will find dames of the world recklessly zipping up and down the fast lane of life in alluring printed shirts and silk peasant blouses over low waist boot-cut fits, not just in denims, in other stuff also. The reason for the cut's prevalence is not very hard to see. In days that are no more, fashion was not a passion among the conventional kids. No doubt about it. Elite fashion magazines were hard to find. Newspapers were just not concentrating on clothes you could wear. Doordarshan, with its educative programmes on agriculture and twice-a-week movie policy, provided little exposure to the young innocents. "That's why they wore what they were offered - never asked for apparels in vogue," says city-based fashion designer Zoya Kapoor. "This is not all. Readymade garments were scarcely available over the counters in markets spread throughout the length and breath of the city. Branded jeans - well, you could wear the denims after requesting relatives abroad to dispatch them". That was years ago. Before fashion television contributed in "enlightening the city youngsters". "The open Indian markets also brought stuff, you had seen in advertisements, into the showroom windows," Zoya reveals. "The result was there for all to see. Options increased. Conscious kids started asking for sequin round-neck knit tank-tops, besides brushed stretch denim jeans, instead of just picking up the apparel they were offered". Boot-cut fits gained credence for "slimming effect" and "electrifying looks". Little wonder, undergrad Radhu has at least seven pairs of boot-cut trousers in different hues and fabric, to be worn at causal functions, even formal occasions. If she has to twirl all around the polished dance floor in a discotheque on Saturday nights, she wears reed-sandblasted jeans in boot-cut fit under a hot and funky denim bustier. Otherwise, before leaving for that evening bash with businessman dad and socialite mom, she dons embroidered black kurta with sequins, over boot-cut trousers embellished with stars at the bottom. "Simple low waist boot-cut fit freeburn jeans are not very expensive," says Radhu. "You can pick them up by just pulling out Rs 1,400 from your handbag. Star-studded kurtas paired with boot-cuts having zari work, however, do not come cheap. I had to invest three months saving - Rs 3,800 to be more precise - for buying them. Anyway, I am glad I have clothes that make brown-eyed girls turn blue. That's the way it is". So folks, Radhu has got her's, where are your boot-cuts? |
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Venus Speaks "One fine morning, back home from hostel, I looked at my image in the full fashioned mirror and realised I had actually gained weight," reveals Cheenu. "It was then I decided to do something about it." But what? "To begin with, I started walking," she asserts. "Initially, I covered just a few
kilometres. Gradually I increased the distance till I was walking upto nine
kilometres daily. It was exhausting, no doubt about it, but rewarding also". And diet? What about it? Did she give up French fries and cheese-stuffed burgers? "Well, I started eating more and more at home instead of savouring junk food I was gulping in my hostel years. It worked. Diet and exercise did the trick. I have managed to lose quite some weight". Listen to her kids, she knows the art of gaining after
losing. |
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Don’t button up the cardigan
Her obsession with gawkiness stems not from desire, but helplessness. She too wants to look like the girl next door - feel fashionable even when dressed up in denims, look cool after donning crop tops, comfy tees and cozy knits. But doesn't know how too. Tamana tried imitating neighbour Zaira. She also wore a knee-length brocade dress, along with a metal bangle, but forgot to slip into swarovski-studded sandals. Was seen trotting down the narrow college corridors in sneakers underneath. The result was there for all to see. Once again, Tamana ended up looking like a bull in a china shop. If you also suffer from the same problem, feel awkward after wearing crimson corset vest over a black lace skirt because you team it up green lace and satin bag, listen to the suggestions our experts have to offer. First of all, do not wear a leather jacket, even a windcheater, over suits, churidar or otherwise. They look odd. If you wish to protect yourself from the biting winter breeze, wear an embroidered jacket instead in matching shade. "Embroidered jackets are expensive, no doubt about it," says Rinni Khanna - city-based fashion designer now residing in Delhi. "A good jacket is not costing less than Rs 3,000. But then such jackets do look graceful". For those of you unwilling to pull out "such a huge amount" from your handbag, cardigans are the best option, for casual, even formal occasions. There are, however, certain style no-nos you should remember before leaving the cozy comfort of your dressing room. Do not, for god sake, button up a long cardigan. "Girls manage to add kilos to their frame by buttoning up a long cardigan," asserts Rinni. "Or else, they create a conservative librarian effect by doing so. Long sweaters look best hanging open or loosely belted over alluring tops". Next advise: Forget all about wearing an oversize sweater with wide-legged pants. "No, the combo does not exactly look funny, but it sure makes you appear shapeless," another fashion designer Rubia Singh confirms. "If you wish to look feminine, always wear an extra-large sweater with slim bottom. You can go in for narrow-legged pants, or even don a mini-skirt with it, but never ever think of pairing the stuff with baggy bottoms". This is not all. Do not ever pair a short shirt with a knit skirt. "Knee-length knit skirts look gorgeous as long as you wear them with tops that comfortably reach your hip-bone, otherwise they look odd," Rubia whispers. "Knit skirts look best with turtle neck sweaters or button-down shirts". Still dissatisfied? Okay, tuck your pants in your boots. "It's the easiest way of creating a trendy out-fit from the items you already own," Rubia reveals. "The pants should be form-fitting or slightly baggy. Do not try the trick with boot-cut bottoms. They are too wide to be tucked it". So gals, now that you know some good style secrets, why don't you go ahead and conquer the hearts of city guys thumping for love pangs? |
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Involve NGOs to get 100 pc literacy: Jacob Chandigarh, December 3 Speaking at the annual function day of Guru Teg Bahadur Public School held at Tagore Theatre, today, General Jacob said that Chandigarh had the infrastructure to provide facilities for education.
‘‘However, the literacy rate in the slum areas is low and our aim is for 100 per cent literacy in the city which cannot be achieved by the Administration alone without involving NGOs in this task,’’ he said. Informing that night schools in several Government Schools had been established with the help of NGOs to achieve this target, General Jacob urged the students to become part of the literacy campaign, General Jacob urged each student to help one poor child who was living or working in the vicinity of their houses. Emphasising the re-orientation of education system to meet challenges of emerging global scenario, the Administrator said that the emerging generations of students had to be taught and trained to adapt themselves to a fast changing educational environment. Earlier, Mr Gur Partap Singh Riar, chairman of the trust, welcomed the Governor. The students presented a colourful cultural programme on this occasion. The programme started with shabad gayan and went on with patriotic songs and dance items like bhangra, giddha and Haryanvi dance following. The students also staged an English play ‘Fortune’ and two Punjabi plays ‘Bhanebaz Kaun’ and ‘Niri Fur’. Mr Kiran Kuljeet Waraich, Principal of the school, presented the annual report, highlighting the achievements of the students and staff. Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar, President, SGPC, was the guest of honour. |
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Lecture
condonation: students protest Chandigarh, December 3 The answer gains importance in light of the decision of the department has decided not to condone more than 30 lectures in each individual case. In case the department and the university does not allow more relaxation, the admission of the ‘guilty’ students in the first semester will stand cancelled. Students who are short of lectures in the third and fifth semester will loose their semester. The university, however, will not have an easy way out in implementing the existing rules of lecture shortage because the total number of affected students is more than 40. In addition, if the candidates of Department of Sociology and Political Science, who are also short of lecture, join the gang, the university is likely in for tough times. The Panjab University Campus Students Council in support the Students Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) today held dharna in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office demanding condonation of lectures as was done in the past. In the past, the shortage of lectures was first condoned by the Chairman of the Department, then by the Vice-Chancellor and if still there was a deficit, the lectures were condoned by the university Syndicate. However, last year the university Senate withdrew the power of condonation from the Vice-Chancellor and the Syndicate. This step was welcomed as a positive step to enhance classroom attendance. However, the affected students said in case the Senate could withdraw the powers of condonation of lectures, the same could be restored. A student said the lecture shortage was a well-known problem that existed on the campus, however, the issue had gained importance now because the list included the name of Malwinder Singh Kang, council president whose admission earlier had created a lot of ruckus. Besides the name of the council president Kang, the list also includes the name of Khushbaz Jattana, president of SOPU. The two are ‘brothers in arm’ on the issue now. Both Kang and Jattana have been contemplating to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the issue. In a press note, Kang said the power of condonation of lectures to the Syndicate and the Vice-Chancellor should be revived. He said the lecture requirement of 75 per cent was a proposal of the University Grants Commission which had been accepted by the university. However, the calender had not been amended so it should stick to the earlier provision of 66 per cent. He said the student agitation would be intensified in case the university did not respond
immediately. |
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Exhibition
of paintings by slum kids SAS Nagar, December 3 The children, who are residents of Janata Colony, Sector 25, Chandigarh, devote time to art and theatre after their work as shoe-shine boys till 2 p.m. They spend time on art and theatre at Government High School, Sector 24, where they have been given a room for the purpose. Mr Zulfikar Khan, president of the Theatre Age Group, which helps such children, said the paintings as well as about 30,000 greeting cards had been prepared at a workshop organised for the purpose about a month ago. Each card costs Rs 5 and the funds thus collected would go to the Theatre Age Group for the benefit of the children. Three of the talented children, Balwinder, Surjan and Johnny, said they had been linked with art and culture since 1999. Mr Khan said one of the murals made by the children had been displayed at the CITCO Cafeteria at the Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh. One of the children, Johnny, had been given a project by the Chandigarh Additional DC to depict prominent spots in Chandigarh on the canvas. These paintings are to be put up in his office. |
NSD graduate comes home with ‘Laya-pralaya’ Chandigarh, December 3 This time Vimmi is dealing with women and with all issues related with their volatility and vulnerability. Having studied the women portrayed by Krishna Sobti in her literary works, Vimmi is now working towards extending an academic assignment to the stage of Tagore Theatre. Being supported in her directorial role by Shashi Pankaj Madhukar, Vimmi is confident of baring a lot of hard fact through her sensitive portrayal of five women in a row. Talking about her work today, this young energetic actress, who has been working in ad films, television serials and now a film, said that the stories touched her heart somewhere. "They are the tales of five women, all from Krishna Sobti's works — Rabya from Zindaginama, Rati from Surajmukhi andhere ke, Mitron from Mitron marjani, Chunna jiji from Dilo danish and Shahni from Sikka badal gaya. The production titled Laya-pralaya seeks to map the path of these women through travails and tribulations. It is all about the heart and about how it pains and cries and overcomes." Getting actors for her work was not an easy job for Vimmi, who works under the aegis of Sandli Pairan Kala Kendra in Mohali. She had to struggle with the cast before she finally settled for some. The stories are real, drawn from life itself. The elements of theatre have been used as well as possible to contrast the inner and outer conflict of women who fight their fears and apprehensions, finally choosing their own path to salvation. Developed as a work of research during the fellowship at the NSD, Laya-pralaya is a production very close to Vimmi's heart. Although she has always done stories, this one is most challenging for the amount of sensitivity attached with it. The play will be staged at Tagore Theatre on December 6 at 7 pm. |
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Cultural
integration in Tagore Chandigarh, December 3 The programme began with an rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ by members of the Bangla Sanskritiki Sammilini, followed by folk dances by Radhika Mathur and her group, depicting cultures of six regions. The Oriya Association presented a Sambhalpuri dance and skit based on a mythological story. Ashish Dey and his group presented songs and dances, depicting the Bangla culture. Artistes of the Garhwal Sabha presented a hill dance and Raghbir Singh and his group presented a ‘bhangra’. Dr Hari Har Lal, president of the Kayasth Sabha, talked about the role of Dr Rajendra Prasad in the freedom struggle, his simplicity and values. Mr K.K. Bhatnagar, Principal Secretary of Punjab, who was the chief guest at the function, praised the organisers for this effort. The celebrations were organised in collaboration with the Chandigarh circle of the State Bank of India. A blood-donation camp had, earlier, been organised on December 1, where many had also pledged their eyes, according to Dr Hari Har Lal, in a press note issued here today. |
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Tribune News Service
She looks gorgeous — after losing weight. Well, it wasn't easy for engineer Cheenu. Getting rid of eight kgs, she had gained during her stay at hostel, took her at least two months. But today, she is happy. Has reasons to be. Heads turn in admiration as she sashays down the market corridors, casually.
She knows all the tricks of looking clumsy. Has mastered the art of gracelessness over the years. Nothing else can explain Tamana's passion for wearing leather jacket over churidar kurta-pajamas in winters of 2002.