Students of DAV School, Sector 15, have demonstrated tapping of energy through high-rise buildings.

Candle making was the focus of cottage industry by students of Government School, Sector 10.

Use of cardboard, black paper, glass and reflector paper in an innovative manner to create a room heater and solar dryer by Atul of Sharda Sarvhitkari School attracted the attention of the visitors.

Focusing on energy conservation and pollution-free environment, students of Government School, Sector 29, have made an exhibit on smokeless chullah.

Rahul, a student of Government High School, Sector 7, had suggested simple way of checking industrial pollution. Mass rapid transport system (MRTS) was the theme of the model of students of Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School, Sector 23.

Navpreet and Amanpreet, students of Government Senior School, Sector 33, have displayed a model on rainwater harvesting.

Use of biotechnology in agriculture was the theme of the exhibit put up by students of Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 46.

Ms Saroj Saini, Director of the SIE, said the main objective of the exhibition was to highlight the role of science and technology in national development. She said the population cell of the institute had also organised an exhibition on ‘AIDS and drug awareness’.

Mr Vivek Attrey, Director, Science and Technology, said such activities fulfilled the purpose of popularising science.

The DPI (Colleges), Mr Dilip Kumar, and the DPI (Schools), Mr D.S. Mangat, were also present on the occasion.

And with this begins the battle with the bulge. The dietician becomes your best friend and neighbourhood gym your “Mecca”.

A few months of this rigorous lifestyle of planned meals and regular exercise and the vigour is back into your life.

But many of us tend to become careless and revert back to the old habits after achieving the desired weight-loss target. And the kilos creep back.

To keep guard against this and to keep yourself fit we talked to a few nutrition and fitness experts.

Panchkula-based diet consultant Rangoli Sodhi says that during the weight-reduction phase a negative calorie balance is created where the body’s output is more than the input.

But in the maintenance phase a balance between the two has to be kept, she adds.

Since this has to be life-long the trick is to incorporate some changes into your lifestyle, says Rangoli.

An intake of at least 1,400-1,800 calories is the minimum requirement of the body, says Suneeta Bhargava, a Chandigarh-based nutrition expert. Men need more calories than women. She advises to spread these calories evenly during the day. For that she recommends at least six mini-meals or three meals or two snacks a day.

Every meal or snack should be high in fiber. Because a high-fiber intake ensures that you experience less hunger pangs. So have more of whole grains and pulses, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Breakfast should include at least one whole grain cereal, skimmed milk or low-fat curd and one fruit. Corn or wheat flakes, missi or stuffed roti with some milk or curd, oatmeal porridge, etc. make some good breakfast choices, says Suneeta.

Lunch and dinner should include plenty of salad and vegetables, whole pulses and grains, while snacks can include fruits, sprouts (a mixed fruit and sprout chat), clear soups or with pulp (avoid creamy ones), baked or steamed corn, idli poha, etc.

But remember to check the quantity, she adds.

Suneeta also reminds of an old saying about a good breakfast, a moderate lunch and a light dinner as the maintenance mantra.

Suneeta and Rangoli provide a few tips to keep the kilos in check.

Adopt healthy cooking techniques which require less steaming, baking, roasting or grilling.

Avoid extra fat or oil as in creamy soups, rich gravies, salad dressings, cheese spreads, etc.

Avoid extra sugar as in desserts, candy, chocolate, jelly, honey, syrups, murrabas, soft drinks, canned fruits or juices, etc.

Avoid extra sodium as in sauces, pickles, chutneys, papad, canned food, etc. Because a high sodium intake can lead to water retention and hence weight gain.

Avoid refined carbohydrates like maida products, white bread, polished rice and pulses, bakery products (they are also rich in hidden fats).

Also avoid ready-to-eat meals as they have a high fat and sodium content and contain refined carbohydrates as well.

Avoid pork, mutton, glandular and boneless meat.

At parties avoid greasy food or reduce quantity if it is hard to resist.

Also compensate next day or check your calorie intake before the party.

Avoid fasting or starving, eat when hungry, avoid eating under stress, do not rush meals, sit and eat slowly.

Above all make water your best friend, have at least 10 to 12 glasses a day.

Weigh yourself once a week.

Panchkula-based fitness expert Tanisha recommends a daily exercise routine of at least 45 minutes. This can include a brisk walk, some game, cycling, yoga or some gym activities.

Jasbir, a Mohali-based fitness expert, says that while cardiovascular exercises like aerobics, jogging, treadmill or stepper, etc. are required in the reduction phase, during maintenance emphasis should be on weight training. Women, too, can go in for lightweights, she says. Because toning up is essential in this phase and hence the weigh training.

In a healthy person 20 to 30 per cent of the total body weight should be fat (in men it should be 10 to 20 per cent). To maintain this weight training is advisable as it increases the lean muscle mass keeping the body weight under control, she adds.

At a book shop situated in Sector 17, a couple of customers have already placed their orders for Jelinek's books while they received a few enquiries as well.

Mr Ajay Arora, the owner of the shop says, “We don't have any of Jelinek's books because she was not a known litterateur till the Nobel Prize came her way. Earlier we never had a customer asking for any of her books. Since she has got the award now, we will get reprints of all her books with “Nobel Laureate”embossed on the covers. These are likely to be available by the end of the month.”

A book store on the Panjab University campus, too, is in the process of placing orders for the “Jelinek collection”, her best known novel, “The Piano Teacher”, which was later made into an acclaimed film, her poem collection titled “Lisa's Shadow”, novel “We are Bait Baby”or the latest play “Bambiland”, penned by her in 2003.

“All her writings are very erotic and we are not sure of how many takers her books will have. Before she bagged the prize, she was practically non-existent as a litterateur and there was no readership for her works. We heard her name the day the Nobel Prize for Literature was announced and we tried procuring her books but to no avail. We are likely to receive the first consignment of her collection sometime next week,”said Mr Karan Puri, the proprietor.

Another book shop located in Sector 17, too, have placed their orders for Jelinek’s books though they claim she is unlikely to get an over-whelming response in the city.

President Dr Abdul Kalam’s book “Wings of Fire”was not known till he assumed office. Later, it sold like hot cakes. While that won't be the case as far as Jelinek's books are concerned, the sales would pick up once these arrive in the market,”adds Mr Pankaj Patheja, the owner of the shop.

One of the main book stores of the city has so far had just one enquiry for her books The customer had no clue about Jelinek's writings or her name. Those at the shop, too, couldn't help him. TNS