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No matter if you are 13
or going on 30, get ready for picking up a hot spot on St Valentine’s
Day, Yes Minister! Patiala
heritage festival MATKA CHOWK Floored! Cream with
cherries
PAMMY’S BEAUTY TIPS Write
to Renee Labour of
love TECH TALK
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No matter if you are 13 or going on 30, get ready for picking up a hot spot on St Valentine’s Day, Bubbles busting at the brim of sparkling cut-glass saturated with golden elixir, shadows on the decked up walls dancing in sync with flickering candles and cool hip-hop numbers bellowing out of impressive speakers adding zing to transient evening affair…. With St Valentines Day around the corner, it’s grooving season in full swing. So folks, if you still haven’t decided upon the hot spot for sharing those intimate moments, along with some rich scrumptious cuisine, on February 14, it’s not too late. Just make reservations and get ready for slipping into your stilettos and letting your hair down for boogieing the night away after savoring the delicacies. Depending upon your mood, the kind of music you savour and the budget, short-list the joints, now. If you prefer a warm evening with some light music away from the hustle and bustle of daily routine, hotels are just the right places. In case your kind of deal involves hitting the dance floor before enjoying a great dining experience with live music and impromptu jam-ups, drop in at one of the night clubs. Otherwise enjoy the company of friends, and good old beer, with some classic rock after finding your way into a bar. For tripping the light fantastic, just head for a discotheque and allow Kajrare to get you grooving. A word of caution here: girls, do not carry extra guys. For, most of the joints have good security that prohibits stag entry. Believe it or not gals, the cover is going to be heavier than ever before for discouraging guys to enter without their dates. Another thing. Remember to check the timings. Most hotels have licenses to stay open till about 1.30 am. Several other places have to turn off the stereo system by 11.30 pm. Hotels and restaurants:
The Taj has elaborate plans for the big day. In fact, the countdown has already started. You can lose your blues this Saturday at their discotheque, Lava Bar. The next day, you can savour a dreamy brunch at Cafe 17. On Monday, just make sure you are seen enjoying a live band perform at the poolside. And on the big day, remember to taste special lunch and dinner the hotel is offering at Cafe 17. You can also have your share of excitement during dinner at Dera and Black Lotus, says Sales Manager Sandit Shah. Hotel Mountview in Sector 10 is not making special arrangements for the big day. But that does not mean couples cannot enjoy a perfect evening in their two restaurants — Magic Walk and Rustles. “Drop in to enjoy Indian, Chinese or even continental cuisine,” says General Manager R.P. Singla. “The ambience, the setting and light music mixed by disc jockeys blend together to offer you a nice romantic evening.” Hotel Shivalikview promises young couples good Chinese stuff in its renovated restaurant “Yanste” named after a river in China. “Situated on the `purple’ floor or the sixth level, it is the place to be in,” says Food and Beverages Manager Jagan
Chaudhary. If you are going to Copper Chimney in Chandigarh’s Sector 26 or in Mohali on Valentine’s evening, remember to savour some happy moments, along with Chicken Chelo Kakab. Or else, go in for Chicken Kali Mirch. Marinated in yogurt, boneless chicken is spiked with freshly pounded black pepper before being grilled gently. If you are a member of the go-green brigade, go in for Corn Capsicum Masala. It is a
delightful combination of sweet corn and capsicum. The setting, the crowd and the ambiance will add to the romance of eating out.
Discotheques, night clubs and youth haunts: Get ready to cut foot lose to the thumping beats of reverberating music at Las Vegas on the Valentine’s Day. With in-house and guest disc jockeys spinning tracks, it’s going to be an evening full of tearing excitement, undoubtedly, says one of the directors Jaswant Rai, adding that psychedelic lights will start blinking at 7.30 pm sharp on February 14 and will continue to illuminate the dance floor till well past midnight. At Blozo in Hotel Monarch, the afternoon will see you burning up the dance floor. For, an only-for-couple bash is being organised from 3 pm to 7 pm. Well, guys, whatever is your party style, you will not be disappointed. Partying would be incomplete without a night out at the Warehouse, at least this is what some of the party buffs say. Situated far from the madding crowd at Chimney Heights Resort on the Zirakpur-Patiala highway, the management is trying to get hold of Bollywood celebrities. In any case, a disc jockey from Delhi, along with two in-house music mixers, will coax you to spend the night lovingly dancing away to the notes of cool numbers. Get ready to drive down the road meandering its way through commotion all the way to Fun City. For, the management is gearing up to greet its guests well. In fact, the visiting couples will be handed over roses before being escorted to the dance floor illuminated by cheerful intelligent lights. “Besides this, the couples will get a chance to take home alluring prizes after trying their hand in fun games,” says Marketing Manager Ramandeep Singh. So guys and gals, get out and get going. Have a nice time.
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As Chandigarh celebrated the moment that made its MP a minister, his life ahead seemed nothing short of a fairytale. But it’s not all a bed of roses, reveals Anandita Gupta
Dhol
beats resounding, melt-in-the mouth laddoos doing the rounds, spirits high
and celebrations flowing unlimited. The euphoric mood had it all.
Adrenaline-rushing speeches, accolades, emotional moments for the family… Celebrations
crackled and burst at the minister’s sector 28 residence. For, Mr. Pawan
Kumar Bansal was sworn in as the Minister of State for Finance. With
thousands of followers pouring in, recourses at his beck and call and
hundreds of bouquets ringing his doorbell every morn, life would be a
bliss. But little do most people know how much responsibility and pressure
the portfolio holds. We spent a balmy Sunday afternoon at the minister’s
residence to have a sneak peak at his new lifestyle- How much has
life changed? A lot. The air is thick with euphoria. However, power
has never been an end in itself. It rather entails a moral responsibility
of working for the masses. I’m today at a platform from where I can see
to it that whatever the government does, the benefit percolates down to
the masses. Your morning prayer? Well, it’s not exactly a
prayer, but here’s something I whisper to myself every morning as I wake
up, "Karam hi kartavya hai (Work is worship). Work is
the anthem I sing, the literature I read, the philosophy I muse over and
the poetry I write. I believe that work is a man’s legacy to the future.
I say all this to myself every morning and it inspires me to work
harder. Recharging your batteries? Riding the crest of the
morning breeze. Yes, I wake up at 5 am and do my yoga, following it up
with my daily morning walk. This contact with nature having all its
freshness, prepares me to take all the job pressures. Are you very
close to nature? Oh yes, I’d love to go out in the hills, feel the
rain drops on my forehead and bask in sunshine. How’d you spend
your spare hours in a day? (Smiles) Politicians are expected to be
available 24 hours a day. I really enjoy scanning through the pages of the
Reader’s Digest and even watching theatre. But where’s the time? You’d
describe yourself as Somebody who’s confident, adaptable and
responsible. I’m very simple and straight forward and never mince any
words in saying what I feel. Issues that touch your soul? Theatre
has always been such a passion. I feel sad to see its plight in our
region. I definitely want raise a voice for promoting theatre and talent
in our country. Also, I wanna take up the issue of poverty and plight of
kids and destitutes. Role of media? Media, like Politicians,
has a lot of responsibility on it’s shoulders. What I don’t like
nowadays is the ease at which some media organizations work. Media should
give up getting the readymade press releases in floppies and printing them
as they are and be guided by truth and facts. Your wife? I’m
totally nuts about her. She supports me and spoils me silly with all that
pampering and delicious meals. I’m lucky to have a soulmate like her. Preparing
for life ahead? Life’s going to move at supersonic speed. There’s
a lot of work to do, especially since the budget is on its way. So I’ll
be staying at Delhi most of the times and coming here just on
weekends. Well, Minister, you’ve always touched hearts in your
hometown. And now is the time to touch the nation’s souls. May you live
life realizing your potential, fulfilling your promises...All the very
best!
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Patiala heritage festival
February 13: Bharatnatyam by Navtaj Johar and classical vocal by Shubha Mudgal at Qila Mubarak at Qila Mubarak at 6.30 pm February 14: Kathak by Aditi mangaldas and vocal music by Chhannu Lal Misra at Qila mubarak at 6.30 pm February 15: Vocal recital by Reza Ali Khan and sitar by Irshad Khan at Qila Mubarak at 6.30 pm February 16: Vichitra Veena by Mustafa Reza and vocal recital by Ahafaq Ali Khan at Qila Mubarak at 6.30 pm February 17: Shenai by Ali Ahmad Hussain and ghazal by Farida Khanum at Old Moti Bagh palace February 18: Fashion show by Ritua Kumar at Old Moti Bagh Palace at 7 pm February 19: Pop concert at Qila Mubarak at 10 pm.
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MATKA CHOWK Lately, I have been thinking of the Abhaya Mudra. You know, the gesture of Bodhisattwa - right hand slightly elevated, the palm turned outwards – made famous by innumerable statues and frescos. Some stories note that Buddha used the mudra of fearlessness to subdue a rogue elephant. It is a gesture meant to symbolize protection and dispel fear. I see a lot of outstretched hands with vertical palms on Chandigarh roads these days. The hand of the rickshawalla - extended with sheer fearlessness. How many of you fellow drivers have not faced the intrepid hand of the rickshawalla, who simply arrives at the chowk, shows the ‘hand’ – never makes eye contact and simply plunges his vehicle in the path of the oncoming vehicle (sometimes at an alarming speed)? The hand renders even the mightiest of SUVs powerless and also, motionless. I had a brush with a rickshawalla lately, who not only decided to show me the hand at the last minute but also decided to stop and give me a challenging look while I grimaced behind the wheel. I stuck out my head and said –“Marna hai kya?” He said – very mockingly – “Kyon, aap maroge mujhe?” At that, I sped off. The chowks of Chandigarh were fashioned after the Bristish system of roundabouts. There is a science and method to circumnavigation here. But, our predecessors forgot to account for harikiri-styled ricksha driving. You might bear down upon them in your luxury sedan, but, when faced with the choice of ‘hit me or miss me’, most of you would choose the latter. The rickshawalls seem to grow in numbers every day. They have no use for lanes and red lights. They block traffic even at the busiest junctures. And I have noticed that they rarely honk or grind their teeth like the car drivers. They actually look a lot calmer and purposeful than some of us. They don’t complain of the heat – like I do. They don’t get double parked. They don’t pay endless parking tickets and they even get to transport people who are not necessarily doing backseat driving for them. The rickshawalls also get to go first – often. They squeeze into some impossible corners with utmost dexterity and calmness. They don’t have to wear a seat belt and hardly ever get penalized for their actions. I am wondering now – if there is a lesson in all this? The Abhaya Mudra is supposed to promote in me a sense of benevolence and peace. After all, every minute, we create new Karma by what we do and think. How come, judging by how I feel when stopped abruptly by the “hand,” I am only collecting bad Karma?
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Floored! Chic now has a new face—floor solutions! The Inside Outside Mega Show is all about making a designer of you, with a plethora of ideas sweeping the (you’ve got it!) floors at the parade ground in Sector 17! Choose from a plethora of ideas, textures, patterns, hues, even materials ranging from ceramics to metal and fibre, all under one roof and for the asking! BOTTOMING THE FLOOR:
Glossy, matt, satin glaze and printed, the buzzword for flooring seems to be ‘vitrified’. A homogenous body, even if you do manage to scratch the surface, (which apparently would require some effort!), the same layer is visible underneath. Asian Tiles with 50 “in-house” vitrified tile designs, advertise their product as, “made from the finest imported clay, fired at 1200 degree Celsius and able to withstand pressure of up to 4600 tonnes.” However, their USP is their ‘Aquart’ tiles in with attractive motifs and patterns etched out by waterjet machines. Available in different colours, these can be made as per order with any design of your choice to any size ranging from 1 sq ft to 9 sq ft. Their ceramic range (the difference being only the upper layer has the design so beware of scratches!) comprises of 30 to 40 designs. Also check out their ‘Rustic’ series for that matt glaze, outdoorsy feel, with surfaces that are patterned and textured. Vrundavan Ceramics Ltd has a range of 10 plain colours and 15 printed designs in their selection of vitrified tiles (24x24 only). With a flexibility of sizes in ceramic tiles they provide “joint free floor tiles” in exotic shades like “Titanic Bamboo, Turkiya Pearl, Leather Ivory, Texas Orange even Victoriya Gold or a Tokyo Red.” Siddharth ceramic wall and floor tiles and Kajaria’s “Kerrogres” range of vitrified tiles are other options available. Kajaria makes tiles for domestic and commercial applications with a large range of sizes going up to 1 mt x 1 mt (big slabs). Imported marble from Italy, Spain, Iran, Greece, Oman and Brazil pitches a variety of gorgeous hues in red, beige, brown, ivory and black, if the classic granite flooring is what you are after. Floor Art by Scala (imported by Network) is an instalock range of laminated floorboards, which can be reused again and again. With more than 40 shades ranging from Rs 95 to 165 per sq feet and 8 mm thickness, these “European woods” come in a range of beautiful colours and fine finish. Conventional wooden flooring at Rs 350, 450 and 650 per sq feet in 18 shades is also on display. Vir Lamites also provides wooden flooring—6 mm at Rs 130 per sq feet, 8 mm at Rs 180 per sq feet in different shades of brown. If flooring is under wraps, can the walls be far behind? Here is a quick dekko at some options for shading your walls is no longer a whitewash job! ENVELOPING THE WALLS:
Oikos Wall Arts, “Special Effects Wall Coatings” define their product as “Italian Masterpieces”. Effects like Mother of Pearl, Stucco, Satin, Velvet, Marble and Antique their products are hundred percent water based with zero percent Volative Organic Compound (VOC). They claim as they achievements, Palace of the King of Malaysia and the Cairo Sheraton Hotel in Egypt no less! Vir Laminates has a unique ‘touch and feel’ series (Rs 1200 for 8x4), paper and metal (Rs. 9000 for 8x4), two tone series, metal foil (Rs. 15,000 for 8x4), metal and natural fibre and the ‘Illusion’ series with synthetic shades. Other tile manufacturers also offer exciting ideas and funky designs for walls. If your home reflects decadence and style, your floors and walls can lend their own grace and charm adding to the allure
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Cream with cherries A convent’s crème de la crème with lots of cherries on it! Add to it all that embracing, meeting and mingling, exchanging fond kisses, glad grins and gesticulations, and you get a perfect cocktail—nostalgia, fun and lots of bonhomie! A heady experience, it surely was. The strong nip in the air was mellowed by the warmth of many-a snug memories getting rekindled. Little wonder then that CESA (Carmel Convent’s Ex students Association) rocked at this rumbustious bash. And for some juicy
lil’ tit-bits, we just took a round of the hip n’ happening poolside. Here’s all that set hearts craving for more of such re-union meets. Style without being scantily dressed
Well, the skirts, halter topes and spaghettis were definitely there. Young and not-so-young girls paraded the poolside in stylish outfits. Loads of style seemed swimming, but minus the scanty dressing. “We Carmelites believe in looking classy without going a bit too crazy!” exclaimed an excited young girl, who was there with her boyfriend. Glory all the way
Now, talk about any party crowd and what comes to mind is how everything’s dressed up—the décor, the dresses and of course, how the hair are dressed up. Coming to the party hoppers’ crowning glory, lets say they really let their hair down and boogied! For, most Carmelites had left their tresses open and flowing. Lots of hues, streaks and highlights added glow and glitter to their hair and the
party! Crunchy-munchy
When a poolside party’s rocking and rolling, can snacks be far behind? Doing the rounds were lots of Indian and continental snacks and drinks, followed by a lavish spread of buffet and sumptuous deserts. Besides nostalgia, fanfare and food, there was jazzy music to enflame the prime party mode. So from young kids to old Carmelites, everybody turned la di da swingers. And guess what, the ladies let their spirits loose and danced till 2.30 am in the morning. Added Dolly Malik, president
CESA, “Our association has about 500 members and it’s real nice to have so many of them here. Starting from the batch mates of the year 1962, we’ve got young girls who just passed out in 2004.We’ve got Carmelites from Delhi, Bombay and even London.” She beamed. What else can the party hoppers expect? Especially, when the venue is North Park’s poolside, singed by the city’s pretty women, the party is as good as it gets!
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PAMMY’S BEAUTY TIPS It is every teenager’s dream of having a fresher, smoother looking skin. Teenage brings along its own set of skin conditions and challenges. It’s a classic teen drama, one day the skin may appear calm, reflecting that velvety surface ,another day it has a bump trying to peep out of the skin! Skin is living, breathing, constantly changing organ. Hormonal changes can dramatically impact teenage skin, acne and regular breakouts can become common. Hormones often wreck havoc with the complexion. While the exact cause of acne is unknown, both hormone imbalance and local bacterial infection seem to play a part in its development. Emotional stress, fatigue, nervous tension, improper facial hygiene, drugs and cosmetics tend to flare up acne- though they are not causes. Acne cannot be prevented, it can only be controlled. A step towards educating the teenage on the importance of correct skin care regime and using the right products is vital. Understand your skin type and how to treat it. The secret is to start early by putting minimum effort into producing maximum rewards later on. Let your beauty routine work to your best advantage. Don’t expect miracles from pots and tubes. Choosing the right skin product should be a priority for you, don’t turn to heavily advertised products to control these conditions as they bring their own set of problems. The skin can become sensitive, as a result of having used harsh products to clear up the problematic skin. Such products strip the skin of not only excess oil but also the oil on the skin surface which is important in providing protection against pollution and moisture loss. Top tips: Skin should be kept scrupulously clean. Regular cleansing is important to remove five types of dirt from our faces- perspiration, excess oil from the sebaceous gland, dust, dead cells and makeup. Oily skin will need 4 to 5 times cleaning a day. Use a gentle face wash, based on plant or fruit extracts such as grapefruit, lemon. Toning of skin is extension of cleansing. Choose, astringent, skin freshener or toner; all help remove traces of oil and make up from your skin. Tightening the pores temporarily and stimulate circulation and also get the skin’s ph level balanced. Alcohol based toners are a big no-no, look for gentle or alcohol free skin fresheners. Moisturising helps retard the evaporation of natural moisture. A very light moisturiser for oily skin and a heavier one for dry skin. The label must read ‘non-acnegenic’ or ‘non-comedo-genic’ It is an important part of your beauty routine as your face is constantly exposed to elements which dry out the skin- Sun, wind and cold weather. Moisturising is important, as the natural moisture cells begin to deflate. Once a week you should gently exfoliate using spherical grains so that they don’t scratch your skin, followed by a purifying mask. Skin needs deep pore cleansing that does not strip the acid mantle. Protect your skin with an SPF of at least 15 to help prevent ageing. Stay away from alcohol as it dehydrates the skin and interferes with circulation, robbing skin of moisture and vital nutrients. Avoid smoking as this prevents oxygen from reaching the skin cells and causes dull appearance. Take care of your face- it is the only one you have !
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Write to Renee My girlfriend suddenly discovered this old box of mine while cleaning up my room which was full of my old love letters from my ex-girlfriend apart from that there were a few items of sentimental value which I have just preserved as mementos. These keepsakes are very dear to me as they are just a natural part of my growing up. I do not want to part with them. She went into this fit of rage when she discovered them and threatened to burn my letters and destroyed all my small items of emotional value. I did not allow it. Now she is sulking and throwing tantrums each time we are together. I plan to marry her and do not want to hurt her feelings but I also want to keep my things and want her to accept it. Am I wrong? Please advise. Gurmukh,
Panchkula You are definitely not wrong in wanting to keep a part of your growing up memory with you. We all have a right to our past and no one should try to wipe it out. To deny your history is to assert that experience makes no mark on us as human being. I still have my old favourites when I was a kid and sometimes going through those few sweet things takes us down memory lane and those blissful moments we cherished. The truth is that attempting to erase a partner’s past or to monopolise his memory is merely an exercise in control. The person your girlfriend should control is herself. We all have a right to our memories, otherwise how do we remember who we are. After all each relationship in our life is a step in our own personal growth. The mere fact that you are worrying about your girlfriend’s feelings means you really care for her. Try to explain to her that she can’t possibly be the first person you have loved but with her love and understanding she can probably work on being the last one. Explain to her she will definitely understand. I am a 28-year-old engineer working in a company for the past six years I have never felt really happy with my job. In fact I cannot seem to remember being satisfied with just about anything. Even my girlfriend who loves me, dearly irritates me at times. People seem to think I have it all. A good house, a nice job, a great woman in my life and yet I feel completely at a loose end in my life. I find life a total drudgery, you get up in the morning, go to work, come back, eat out sometimes, watch a movie with my girlfriend and just go to sleep. Is this all there is to life. I feel a bit confused, what to do? Arvind
Takkar, Mohali Attitude, my dear boy, you need to change it. You seem to be in the midst of a lot of existential questions, questioning life- I feel you just need to open up. Life at your age must not seem so very serious. Do not allow yourself this sort of depressed attitude to take over – you are in the peak of your youth, you just need a special charge, can’t just allow yourself to feel burnt out yet. We all live in a society which is obsessed with personal happiness, this anyway is a transitory stage that comes and goes. The road to happiness is right under your nose. Try doing something different in your spare time. Watch a beautiful sunset, or just step out into the garden nearest to you, watch the flowers bloom and the birds sing, they will definitely cheer you up. Small acts of human kindness are also very important. Most important of all take a sabbatical – may be just go to a nice beach for a few days. The fresh air will do you good and also give you a nice healthy and new I am completely swept off my feat by this very charming man I met on my holiday at a beachside resort. I am in mid thirties and have just returned after working in London for five years but have never been enamoured of a man like this ever in my life. The problem is that he is not really in a job, does not have a steady income otherwise and has been a bit of a drifter over the years. Though he comes from a good family, he does not really relate to them and likes his own independence. He is, however, very interesting as a person, loving and caring, extremely gentle and understanding. I would love to marry him but my friends tell me I am completely crazy to waste my life on an unsteady man. I am wondering what to do. Nidhi Anuja,
Chandigarh It’s all very well to have a holiday romance with a drifter but to want to make it permanent definitely requires serious thinking on your part. After all you are an intelligent adult and to allow a chemical rush to overtake your life is not very sensible. Sometimes our childhood insecurities attract us to people like this. This is like a teenage crush which did not happen then and you have allowed it into your life now as you are more in charge. Don’t think I don’t understand. It’s just that sometimes maturity is overruled by our silly choices. I think your friends do have a reason to worry about you. Marriage is serious business. Don’t just plunge into it for the emotion. There are many other aspects to marriage and the main one being responsibility. Give yourself sometime with him. If he does prove that he is ready to take on a responsible life with you then go ahead otherwise let be, life has much to offer if you let it. Rush in your queries to Renee at lifestyle@tribunemail.com or care of Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sector 29-C, Chandigarh
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It was a letter in the short story Mein Ghaznavi Nahin written by Gubachan Bhullar that initiated his enchantment for translations. For Rana Nayar, “the letter—a page torn out of a diary, folded over, stamped and sent—the mode of communication not defined, demarcated, not regular made me decide. The story, deceptively simple but deeply layered, is about choosing to keep mental images (idols) of people unsullied unlike the Ghaznavi of historical annals, known for desecrating idols during his reign.” Today with a nomination for the ‘Hutch Crossword Indian Language Fiction Translation’ (also dubbed the Indian Booker) award for this translation of Gurdial Singh’s Punjabi classic, ‘Unhoye’ into ‘The Survivors’, Nayar is all set to make the city, indeed his cultural heritage proud. A recipient of a commendation for translation from the British Council and Katha and a Charles Wallace Trust Awardee (given for a translation of Punjabi literature for the first time in 1999), this Professor in the English Department at Panjab University has 10 works of translations, literature, essays and commentaries to his credit and is charmingly modest about his contribution. “For me it is a labour of love to be able to write for translation is an intense engagement with every word used.” What started as letters to editors, an odd poem, typing and editing short stories written by his wife, soon turned into a passion no less! “I do not want to mythologise but it was literally the tug of the soil. Selections for translations happen when something seeps in—when you feel one with the spirit of the author—something that compels you to respond and translation is that response.” It is a “mission” that he is engaged in, a revaluation of Punjabi literature. “It is a debt every person has to pay, to one’s mother-tongue. There is a need to correct distorted, social perceptions of our own language.” With writing comes responsibility, believes Nayar. “Every translator has to ensure that no concessions are granted in favour of the dominant language, in this case English for, no culture can be truly translated.” To retain “cultural specificity”, to make the reader want to take the trouble to find out Punjabi words that cannot be translated, that have their own depth of meaning—like relationships for instance, “aunty cannot be used for chachi and taayi”—is what Nayar considers specificity is all about He talks of a necessity to evolve an “indigenous tradition” of genuine criticism” which he laments, does not exist in Punjabi. “It is dominated by narrow, provincial critics” and unlike other regional languages like Kannada, Tamil, Marathi and Bengali, “we cannot look at Punjabi literature through Rayban glasses minted elsewhere!” Currently working on three projects, including an anthology of poems written by him, it is still his own language that is closest to his heart, “I tell teachers of Punjabi, I teach some else’s language, you teach your own.” Rhythm & reason To get around the unique problem of
translating poetry in Gurdial Singh’s ‘Parsa’, (Nayar’s second translation after ‘Night of the Half-Moon’ originally published in Punjabi as ‘Addh Chanini Raat’ by Gurdial Singh, Nayar set the poetry to rhythm and then wove the English words into that rhythm. ‘maati kudam karendi yaar; maati kudam karendi’ became ‘dancing dust oh my friend; makes us dance from end to end’ This verse by Bulleh Shah denoting the Christian concept of rising from dust and going back to dust was treated like this “to retain the fluidity of native music for the cultural flavour.”
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TECH TALK the list of computer components, software and accessories is endless. The world of computers can be confusing to anyone who doesn’t come into contact with them on a regular basis. Many consider the computer industry an impenetrable, jargon filled jungle. You can’t blame them. With so many factors to consider, deciding which PC to buy can be a real challenge. Right from components, to
software, to accessories, new PCs offer a bewildering array of choices. I’m certain there are a lot of first time PC buyers out there who just wish there was someone that could help demystify the world of computers and provide information that could help them make a good buying decision as per their requirements. Making the Decision There are a few things one needs to consider before purchasing a computer. The most important being your reason for buying one. What will your new computer be used for? Will you be working, surfing the Internet or playing that hot new game you heard so much about? Given below is a guide to various computer accessories and components that one needs to choose from: Processor Processor or the CPU (Central Processing Unit) determines how quickly the machine responds to the commands or requirements placed on it. The performance of the Processor is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (Ghz). The higher this number, the faster the processor. Intel and AMD are the two main players in the CPU market. Both companies offer processors meant for different levels from entry level to top of the line ones. The entry level processors include AMD Duron and Intel Celeron. The medium level includes AMD Athlon (200 Mhz) and Intel Pentium III, followed by the top of the line models like AMD Athlon (266 MHz) and Intel Pentium 4. RAM RAM (random access memory) is the place where the operating system, programs and data in current use are kept, ready to be accessed by the processor. The more RAM you have, the quicker and more powerful your computer is. If you’re faced with a choice between buying a faster processor without much memory, or buying a slightly slower processor with more memory you should go for the latter. Having extra RAM will provide a much bigger boost to system performance than a few extra MHz of CPU speed. Hard Drive While RAM stores information for a limited period of time for instant access to the processor, the hard drive is the place where data is stored on a more permanent basis. All software, from operating systems to word processors, has grown in size over the last few years. Media files such as MP3 and digital photos are big and require a lot of disk space. This has led to a corresponding need for high capacity hard drives where all this data can be kept. Hard drives in new systems range from 20GB to 300GB in size. If you are buying a computer for the whole family, you’re going to want to go for the biggest hard drive you can afford. In the long run it’s best to buy more storage space than you think you’ll need. Monitors There are two types of monitors available for PC’s: the traditional CRT (cathode ray tube) which is used for both televisions and computers and the newer LCD (liquid crystal display). LCDs, also known as flat panel displays, are used in notebook computers and desktops as well. They are lighter and smaller (only inches thick) than a CRT with reduced electromagnetic emissions and power consumption. The most common monitor sizes are 15”, 17” and 19”. For people buying a CRT display for normal use, a 17” is the ideal balance of price and performance. If you are into a lot of desktop publishing or image editing then a 19” or larger monitor is better suited. A 19-inch CRT monitor lets you see your documents with greater definition (or at a higher resolution) than 17-inch or smaller displays. Sound & Graphic
Components These components come within the standard PC models these days. The Sound & Graphic components include: Video Cards Also known as graphics cards, these components are responsible for displaying 2D and 3D images on your monitor. 2D graphics are the regular pictures and images that appear on your screen while 3D graphics are mostly used in games and imaging. Most computer systems come with video cards that produce acceptable 2D results but if you wish to, you can upgrade these too. Sound Cards The sound card is either attached or built in to your PC’s motherboard. Its job is to control the quality of audio in and out of the computer. There should be input jacks for speakers, headphones, microphone and line-in for audio components like a tape deck. Speakers If you plan to take advantage of any of your PC’s multimedia features, you’ll want to invest in a decent set of speakers. At the very least you should make sure that they are powered by an external source. CD-ROM/CD-R/DVD/Data Storage While the CD-ROM drive continues to perform its duties well, a number of other devices have arrived over the last few years that build on its strengths. CD-R/CD-RW drives can read CD-ROMs as well as write data to discs, providing the user with a huge amount of personal and portable storage space. —
Courtesy: Atul Gupta, CEO, Red Alkemi
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Mistress A searing new novel of art and adultery from the best-selling author of Ladies Coupe.
A brilliant blend of imaginative storytelling and deeply moving explorations into the search for meaning in art and life, Mistree is a literary tour de force from one of Indias’s most exciting writers.
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Infotainment weds entertainment
Corporate sector in the City Beautiful is fast getting conscious about providing entertainment to its employees. Most companies today have a high rate of attrition, thanks to the pressures and hectic working hours that jobs today involve. So companies are waking up to the need of entertaining and refreshing their employees. Red Alkemi, the Chandigarh headquartered web development and online marketing company, is one such concern. It has launched its hi-tech Entertainment Centre in Sector 34. Creatively designed, the Entertainment Centre will work as a multiple-activity hub for the RedAlkemi team. During office hours, it will be a cafeteria and lounge while later on in the day it will transform into a “happening” party area. The Entertainment Centre is equipped with pulsating lights and a sound system programmed to set everyone’s heart on fire and make their feet move with the beat. There is a Home Projection Theatre System for weekend movie shows exclusively for the RedAlkemi team. The Entertainment Centre will also facilitate internal seminars, workshops, induction and training programmes, multimedia presentations etc. — TNS
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FILM REVIEW Sketched against the backdrop of fun loving city of Goa, ‘Holiday’, produced by Pooja Bhatt and Sujit Kumar Singh creates an ambience of relaxation. So it is a holiday time for the viewers to warm up with hot blooded trendy music. After the box office debacle of Pooja Bhatt’s ‘Paap’ she has come up winner this time in this love story ‘Holiday’. The film promises entertainment and will definitely strike chord with the urban audience. You could have just two reasons for watching ‘Holiday’ (Fun Republic): one is the pulsating music sound tracks by whiz kid Ranjit Barot westernised musical compositions. The second is good performances by Dino Morea and debutante Onjolee Nair. It has been a low key affair for Dino but this time he has come up with new acting and dancing talents. With a running time of 130 minutes, ‘Holiday’ has some gripping creative work from writer Mahesh Bhatt. Nauheed Cyrussi looks preety. Anahita Oberoi, Kashmira Shah and Gulshan Grover do justice to their roles. Cinematography captures the beautiful beach locations of Goa. Production values are upscale. Performances from the lead cast competent.
— D.P.
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The 4th Patiala Heritage Festival, which is being organised by the Patiala Heritage Society in collaboration with INTACH, has begun in Patiala. The week-long festival will present a series of performances by some of India’s finest exponents of classical music, dance thrae, including Shubha Mudgal, Pandit Chhannu Lal Mishra, daneuse Aditi Mangaldas and Bharti Shivaji. In addition, it will also host to a ghazal evening by pakistan’s legendary singer Farida Khanum, a kavi darbar, seminars on Punjab’s art and handicraft traditions, a fashion show and a pop music concert. A few highlights of the show —
February 12:
Laung da Lishkara, a play by Harpal tiwana group at Old Moti bagh Palace at 6.30 pm
Gayatri Rajwade
catches up with Prof Rana Nayar who has been nominated for this year’s ‘Hutch Crossword Indian Language Fiction Translation award
Shantaram
A literary masterpiece.... it has the grit and pace of a thriller. A novel of high adventure, great storytelling and moral purpose, based on an extraordinary true story of eight year in the Bombay underworld.