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Seminar on managing stress
Mohali, June 25 He explained that stress management had become the new focus for efficiency and health of executives in the corporate world. “Besides, being a ‘major killer’, research now shows that in a very big way, stress is adversely affected the efficiency, productivity and overall effectiveness of individuals at work and at home across the entire spectrum of society,” he said. The World Health Organisation had officially described 1990s as the ‘Decade of Epidemic of Stress’. Mr Dalal emphasised that in such circumstances, training in stress management was necessity. “The crux of the problem is that in modern times, on one hand mental burdens have increased and at the same time people have lost the ability to relax and release stress; as a result of which stress keeps accumulating, reaching harmful and thereafter dangerous levels,” he said.
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Free bhangra workshop
Chandigarh, June 25 Davinder Singh, who is also the bhangra coach, said newcomers can come in between 5.30 am to 6.30 am. The club has already organised many shows in different parts of the country with the help of Punjabi Cultural and Welfare Society, Mohali. The club has also arranged blood donation camps, cultural shows and fetes besides helping in marriages of poor girls. |
‘Ek aur Dronacharya’ dares all
Times change but situations seldom do. Past or present, exigencies almost always manage to dictate an individual’s performance in the light of his social standing.
Mahabharata showed how Dronacharya succumbed to the pressure of politics and instructed non-Brahmins in the art of combat. Years after the Epic was written, history has not changed much, as theatre director Umesh Kant today proved with his powerful production “Ek aur Dronacharya” which voiced a sad truth — honesty is not always the best policy. The play was staged at Tagore Theatre. The play juxtaposed past with present to depict how men of morality disintegrate in the face of social pressure. Everything about the production was potent — its theme which rose vital issues concerning ideals and their worth, its dialogues that complimented the script and its portrayals that never once appeared farcical. Characters donned their roles with elan as the script of Dr Shankar Shesh drove home the production’s theme. By way of two parallel stories, the director showed how committed idealists are taken on by shameless violators of the law. An honest professor fights battles on grounds of morals and gains nothing out of them. When he sides by the truth he is lured by the temptations of easy money and carefree living. When that does not work, he is the threatened with death. By hook or crook, falsehood prevails and blooms. The situation is compared to the episode in Mahabharata where Dronacharya, faced by his poverty and his wife’s tearing remarks, agrees to instruct Pandavas and Kauravas. As his vow of never teaching a non Brahmin crumbles under the weight of logic, the idealist inside of him suffers silently. The professor suffers the same way on the space of performance as Umesh Kant’s play progresses level to level. With its simplistic techniques and effortless timing, the play makes a strong statement. While morals take a beating on stage and offenders escape the net of law, there is little anyone can say or do to refute the projection of an ugly truth. Because history, almost always, repeats itself. And Umesh Kant shows
how. TNS
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A ghost goes positive
Rama Sharma
Even ghosts can fall in love. And this ghost in “Paheli” is so loveable that many young girls will now rather choose to love a ghost than a human form!
The central character of this puzzle is Lachchi (Rani Mukherjee), a forlorn bride. She smells of a nomadic spirit. Though she easily blends with the script and the Rajasthani scene but somewhere she lacks totality here. Her lover, the ghost (Shah Rukh Khan with a thick moustache), is full of feelings for her, unlike her husband, who leaves her for a five-year business trip. Amol Palekar's direction deserve praise for conveying the essence of colourful Rajasthani culture through good visuals and dialogues Background score is also motivating. However, the passion lies in King Khan unfolding the spirit of the story. The unbelievable script is made believable by the ace couple. The folklore is in abundant measure, much to the cost of a healthy interaction between the dramatist and the viewers. Watch it for a change. To see a ghost playing a positive
role. TNS
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Dabbawallahs bring home flavours
THE ubiquitous ‘dabbawallah’ of Mumbai, is making his presence felt in Chandigarh. For work-engulfed people, running helter-skelter from one busy appointment to another, the wafts of home-cooked meals, served in tiffins, at one’s office or doorstep must provide a huge relief.
The city has seen a tremendous rise in the tiffin business in the past few years. For a city seeped in traditional ‘ sarson ka saag’ spreads at home, introducing meals on wheels has been a slow moving concept but that is all passe. Sahil Malhotra, owner of a cyber cafe in Sector 17, says, “My work keeps me in the shop the whole day. My mother is working as well, so there is no one at home to cook and bring the food over to the shop. The only feasible option is the “tiffin system’. The food has the flavour of home cooking and is also fresh.” With the city’s work culture changing and tremendous options coming up, Chandigarh is attracting people from all over the country. With home far away, hot meals are the first to be missed! Rani, a trainer in a newspapar, staying in the city in a PG accommodation, finds the ‘tiffin system’ the “best option at a reasonable of Rs 500 per month. It also tastes the same as my mother’s food at home. “ Along with its home made flavour taste, it makes sound economic sense with the tiffins coming for as low as Rs 500 for a month for any two meals in the day to Rs 1500 per month for everything — from your ‘wake-up’ morning cup of tea to dessert at night! Rajni Sharma, of Grand Plaza-65 in Sector 42 is in the business of providing tiffins. “Currently I am catering to 50 houses. I charges Rs 800 which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.” The more the number of caterers, the better the quality of food is bound to be. “We provide vegetarian food to different people, including businessmen, servicemen and students, which form a large part of business. We charge Rs 1200 per month and deliver to about 100 houses per month for which we have employed six persons,” says Mrs and Mr B.S. Walia, owners of a large tiffin business in the city.
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‘Declining Punjabi readership alarming’
“Any language which cannot boast of a minimum readership of 10 lakh is likely to suffer and the declining trend in Punjabi readership is alarming” says visionary writer Om Parkash Gaso. Speaking at a programme organised here today, he said the changing lifestyles had a bearing on the idealistic, cultural and social perspectives. Writers must go for introspection and contribute towards larger interests of society.
One must portray the reality of emotions and substance through writings otherwise the works will not touch the nerve of the reader, he said. Authors should avoid a business-like approach of earning profit from published works.
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