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Ambassadors of culture back from Sweden sojourn Chandigarh, April 3 As ambassadors of the Asian Law Students Association (ALSA) and guests of the European Law Students Association (ELSA), the foursome, final year students of the Department of Law, Panjab University, had the opportunity to present India and her culture during the numerous rounds of interaction at the host university and learn about Sweden, its laws, culture and people, through personal experience. Bowled over by the legal system of a country, which is very small as compared to India, Jitin explains, “It is easier to deliver justice in Sweden. The small population reduces litigation as well. However, an interesting feature of the Swedish system is that they have separate courts to deal with administrative matters and other courts for the rest. This division reduces the burden on courts, which, in India, is tremendous.” For Abhishek, the 40-day programme was a lifetime experience. Ecstatic about everything Swedish, he recalls, “We organised a seminar on “India IT Act 2000” at the Stockholm University. Interestingly, they have a separate IT law faculty while we don’t even have it as a subject in our university. We had informal interactions with students to have greater insight into the life and culture of the country.” Stating that education and attending classes was a more relaxed affair in Sweden, Abhishek mentions, “It is very usual for teachers to discuss topics over coffee or have a working lunch to discuss projects or reports. This is, sadly, missing in our study system which is more formal in its approach to imparting education.” Proving to be a fruitful visit for these students in terms of widening their horizons as well as giving them an opportunity to explore a new culture, Vikram adds, “We had a great time during the four-week stay at the university. The biggest realisation from the trip was that there was no such thing as right or wrong as far as cultures go. Instead, there are only parallel ways of lifestyles which exist all around. During the many rounds of conversations with youngsters and families, we realised that staying alone was a way of life in Sweden. It is almost customary for any collegiate to leave home and live alone even if he is in the same city. This was quite extra-ordinary for us since family is central to our Indian lifestyle.” “We did not confine our visit to Sweden alone but went around the entire Europe, adding a dash of fun to an otherwise exciting trip. We even visited the International Court of Justice and nine counties during our sojourn. It was like a dream and we are re-living every moment of the great times by sharing our experience with the rest,” maintains Vishal Aggarwal. |
Rani, Preity vie for reel love in Yash film Chandigarh, April 3 Packing up from Chandigarh today, Rani and Preity finally obliged us with some sound bites at the Chandigarh Airport — mainly about how great the city looked and vaguely about what their roles in the “mysterious” Yash Chopra production were all about. As the lid on the film opened, it became evident that the script celebrates the magic of love and centres hugely around the India-Pakistan affair. As the actresses told Chandigarh Tribune today: “We play teachers in the film, which is an unusual love story, with Shah Rukh Khan at the centre stage.” Scratching the surface further for details, we manage to find out that Preity is the woman from across the border. Shah Rukh plays an Air Force officer who, during his stint in Pakistan, falls in love with Preity. The interesting part of the story unfolds in Punjab where most of the shooting has been done. Yesterday, the unit shot in Hoshiarpur where the sets comprised a village school, with Preity and Rani teaching there. A city student, Pragati Trikha, also features prominently in the sequence. Back from shooting with Rani and Preity, the excited Pragati said: “Yesterday’s shot had Preity instructing schoolchildren in a village. I am part of the class. We were asked to braid our hair and look absolutely rural.” There is a natural jealousy between the two actresses in the film. While Preity seems to be the fortunate one, Rani feels threatened by her arrival to India. There are shots in which Preity has been shown coming over to Punjab from the Attari border. She admitted: “Although Yashji wanted to shoot in Pakistan, he did not get the permission. That is why the focus on Attari, which indicates my crossing over from Pakistan to India.” At yesterday’s shoot in Hoshiarpur, Preity taught children in the same school where Rani is already employed. In fact, it was during yesterday’s schedule that Rani discovers Preity’s arrival to gratify her love for Shah Rukh. She is shocked and anxious to see her. She goes running to Divya Dutta (also part of the film) to tell her that Preity was here. The scenes having been shot, real-life friends bade farewell to Chandigarh today, saying: “This is a great place to be in.” |
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Film Review RENOWNED painter M.F. Husain tries to unravel the mystery of a woman in his own inimitable style in “Meenaxi — the tale of three cities”. Meenaxi (Tabu) emerges from the imagination of a Hyderabadi Nawab (Raghubir Yadav), who is penning a story. Tabu lends an enigmatic touch to the three characters she plays — Meenaxi, a Hyderabadi perfume seller, Meenakshi, a Jaisalmer belle, and Maria, a theatre girl of Prague. Searching, seeking, she symbolises the inner quest of every woman. Kunal Kapoor is a blend of feminine and famished looks. As Kamleshwar, he is merely a background against which the strong character of Meenaxi comes to life. The music is pristine and speaks volumes of A.R. Rahman’s eclectic diving. All six songs have beautiful lyrics, which are meaningful. The song, “Badan dhua dhua”, has beautiful choreography symbolising the meeting of yin (male) and yang (female) energies. The background music is inspiring, coming straight from the inner silence of a seeker’s soul. Some of the artistically arranged sets are a delight to watch. It is neither the script nor dialogues but the music and choreography that bring out the essence of the unsaid story. However, slow pace and virtually no drama make the celluloid painting unfathomable to many. * * * Mahesh Bhatt’s “Murder” is a story planked on a physical relationship with a melody-driven track. A happily married Simran (Mallika Sherawat) stumbles into her college flame (Imran Hashmi) in Bangkok. It doesn’t take her much time to leave the secure confines of her home. But gradually it dawns upon her that the relationship is just skin-deep. Steamy scenes remain the selling base of the movie. The ardour is further heightened by an imposing soundtrack. “Kaho na kaho” and “Bheege honth tere” sprinkle enough passion. Mallika’s acting has improved a lot since her debut in “Khwaish”. Imran Hashmi struggles in the role of an obsessed lover. There is a piece of advice for him — he will flourish better on the small screen. Asmit Patel, who plays Simran’s husband and suffers the pain of the triangular relationship, steals the show. His expressions are catchy. The pace is gripping. Sufficient twists and turns in the screenplay keep the viewers glued to the flick till the end. There can be any number of misunderstandings between a couple. But straying is not the right option. A good lesson indeed!
TNS. |
From dentistry to catwalk
HER smile endears her immediately. And Tina Chatwal, Ms India Asia-Pacific 2003, knows well of the power of her smile. For she smiles and charms people at any given instance. The damsel was in town to inaugurate a jewellery and cosmetics exhibition, Anugraha, at Hotel Mountview today. She smiled at the star-struck onlookers with as much ease as when she posed for photographers. Dressed rather conservatively (in a white organza salwar-kameez) for a ramp model, she seemed to have walked straight out of a Yash Chopra movie. Mention the name Yash Chopra, and Tina’s eyes twinkle with delight. “You know, I am a big fan of his. I have watched all his movies with awe and if ever I were to move into Bollywood, I wish it were with him,” she says. When informed that Yash Chopra was also present in the same hotel, she said if luck would have it, she would get a chance to meet the “dream merchant of mushy and clean movies”. Asked if Bollywood would be a natural progression from her modelling career, she said she was still waiting for the “right kind of role”. “I will take to films only if the script offers a substantial role,” she says. A dentist by qualification, Tina had taken her baby steps in the glamour world against her family’s wishes. “Once I won the Ms India Asia-Pacific crown I realised I enjoyed the glamour world, and this was my true calling,” she says. What about the darker side of modelling? “Like in any other profession, there is a darker side to it as well. But the uglier things get highlighted more in this profession because of the attention this world draws.” Regarding the controversy over Luxmi Pandit’s — who had to surrender her Ms India World, 2004, title rather unceremoniously— marital status, Tina said it was as much the fault in the screening process as of the participant. “The marital status and antecedents of the participant should be scanned thoroughly to avoid any embarrassment later on,” she says. Tina has come a long way after she won the title. A well-known face on the ramp, she was one of the models for designer Satya Paul’s exclusive fashion show at Madam Tussad’s Wax Museum in London. Besides, she has now signed up with all major fashion houses and designers in the country — be it J.J. Vallaya, Ritu Beri or Rohit Bal. Ask her if her future plans have anything to do with her qualification as a dentist, she replies though she has done enough practice in the past three years in dental college and during her internship, she would like to manage her own hospital some day. — TNS |
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Excelling amid all odds
PATIENCE and persistence are the biggest weapons in the personal arsenal of Kanika Ashok, who has topped the MA II (Public Administration) of Panjab University. She has topped in the Department of Correspondence Studies. Her achievement requires a special mention because the effort came during times when she was tending her terminally ill mother. “My mother was seriously ill. Many a time I thought I would give up studies in MA II because of tension at home and increased responsibilities,” she said. “I lost my mother eight months back. Her wishes have always stayed with me.” Kanika had topped the university in her MA-I examination last year also. She is a topper of Devi Ahilya University, Indore, from where she did her BBA (Finance). She is state-level swimmer. She is winner of a bagful of prizes in different activities. “I attribute my excellence in different fields to my parents.”
— TNS |
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Light-n-sound show on Sahibzadas A light-and-sound show, “Sada Chir Jeevoh”, highlighting the sacrifices made by Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh was organised at the Dasehra ground in Phase VIII, Mohali, this evening. The programme was organised by the Shatabadi Purab Committee and directed by Arvinder Singh. It focussed on the seven historical nights in which events relating to the battle of Chamkaur Sahib, bricking alive of the Sahibzadas at Sirhind were portrayed in an impressive way. Mr Hardeep Singh, convener of the committee, said late Gurcharan Singh Tohra was stated to attend this function. The programme was dedicated to his memory.
— OC |
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