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Love me, love my dog
CITY Beautiful has come a long way as a happening destination for corporates and the hip and happening crowd. Each day a new eatery, club, bar or health/beauty clinic come up. There are outlets for dog grooming and training but the medical care for pets in sadly lacking.
Injured spaniel
Gurmeet Anand, psychology lecturer, whose pet dog was injured by rash driving says, “When my black cocker spaniel was injured in the right leg, none of the private practioners I contacted was available since there were two holidays. The PFA came to the rescue and sent a doctor home. He did his best within limited means. X-ray was an emergency but there is no facility in the city specifically for animals. A few X-ray centres do animal X-rays but only at a particular time. If an emergency occurs at any other time, there is no other option except to wait. Most people have to, in an emergency, take the dog to Ludhiana, PAU.”
Only one vet Monica, an executive with a private firm, whose terrier developed jaundice too feels that it is high time that services in the Sector 22 veterinary hospital are upgraded. Besides ultra-sound and X-ray facilities, the hospital should also have more vets on duty for when the only vet is on leave, nothing can be done. When the only vet is on leave, there is no substitute and the patients suffer. Bhavna Sharma, a housewife from Panchkula, too bemoans the pathetic facilities. Her dog was administered an injection without carrying out a blood test, which was mandatory. There are also no diagnostic facilities exclusively for pets. More facilities The only improvement since 1975, says Shivali, an ardent dog lover, is that all the vaccines are now available within the hospital. As Gurmeet says, “There is no waiting hall for pets. Only three pets can wait inside, others have to wait in the sun/rain outside.” The hospital hours too need to be increased. At present they are from 8 am to 2 pm in summers and 9 am to 3 pm in winters. Alka Kapur, a student, feels so strongly about the lack of care for dogs that she puts it down to “the callous and self-centred attitude of human beings when no thought is spared for man’s best friend. Like children, animals too cannot tell us of their pain and agony. So why should we ignore their needs?” Emergency care Almost all pet lovers, (read that as dog lovers since they outnumber others), are of the view that while the variety of packaged foods and dog care products has multiplied, emergency care that can make the difference that can make the difference between life and death remains where it was. Emergency facilities for hospitalisation, good diagnostic equipment and round-the-clock medical aid is what is urgently needed for pets. Even vets agree that though the population of pets has increased, the commensurate medical facilities have not. As Gunjit, lecturer, child development, says, “If the dog has to be hospitalised or there is a surgery or an emergency, it is a major problem. One has to go to Ludhiana, which can be very inconvenient.” Gunjit wants a well-equipped government set-up because even if people can afford pets they cannot afford to spend much on their healthcare and private practitioners do charge heavily. Those who have retired or ex-servicemen, the bulk of the city’s inhabitants, would appreciate affordable pet care.
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Gardens: Old is gold SOIL should look dark, crumbly and moist. Caked and cracked soil is too clayey, cannot breathe and the plants in it look sad and under nourished. The same holds true for sandy soil. It does not retain water, dries fast and raises weak plants. So where does the crumble come from? OLD Leaves! As simple as that. “Compost” — that’s the key word. Often we tell the maali to “clean the garden.” Rich nutrients are jharooed, carried out in baskets and dumped at the nearest point around the corner, far from Sahib and Memsahib’s prying eyes. I have often passed these steaming leaf heaps and been tempted to carry full baskets home to nourish my plants. However, I am still conscious of the neighbours prying eyes! To manufacture compost, humus, mulch or leaf mold (different, important sounding names for the same thing!) collect all the leaves you can during autumn. Ask the neighbours for their leaf trash too. They will think you’ve lost your marbles but then your healthier plants will compensate for all the sniggers. And they will want to know the secret of your success. Don’t tell them. “Figure it out.” You should say. Or you’ll lose the dry leaf bank! A deep pit at the back of the house can be used for dry leaves. The greater the variety of waste plants, the more the micronutrients. Throw out twigs and branches as these take very long to break up. Allow the children to jump on the leaves, or make your dog sleep in it and dig it up. Both activities break the leaves. Add wood shavings, shredded paper, vegetable peelings and egg shells too. Put a basket of soil and sprinkle occasionally with water. To speed up manufacture, throw in a few table spoons of urea crystals. Why on earth would we collect all this garbage? Well, in winter you can collar your plants with this mixture. It will keep plants from dying of frost, as mulch maintains an even temperature. Mix it with the soil before planting seeds and plantlets and your soil will become crumbly and can breathe. Mulch reduces summer heat by 10 degrees as it retains moisture. It also inhibits weeds. Try growing lettuce, carrots, cabbages, broccoli in summer, under a pile of mulch and see what you can get for the kitchen!
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Radiation safe mobile
Dress your eyes
The Fall 2006 Eyewear Collection launched by Tommy Hilfiger takes the traditional classics tom new levels with special understated signature details. It offers style that mixes classic, modern, traditional, and urban hip. The dunglasses designs offer models a glam shape, in plastic eyewear options too clearly influenced by modern fashion trends. Rhinestone embellishments on the temples and the Tommy Hilfiger flag logo plaque makes the wearer make a hip fashion statement. Styles are available in vibrant colours of black, burgundy, cream, navy and tortoise. The 70 styles launched for both men and women range between Rs 3000 and 6000. EON frost-free refrigerators
Godrej and Boyce have come together to launch new EON range of frost-free refrigerators by its appliance division. Having distinct features the product also has a great style. Based on research the new refrigerators have space maximization, ease of internal access, more efficient cooling, and ergonomic design for a stunning appeal. Many of these features created for the EON range will be available for the first time in both the Indian as well as the international market. The Eon being launched all across the country will be available at all Godrej outlets and 42 life space showrooms. Flexi range of monitors
World’s largest manufacturers of computer monitors now presents its flexi new range in three sizes 20 inch, LM 2,28 Flexi, 19 inch – LM925 Flexi and the 17 inch LM 725 Flexi. The Flexi monitors are ideal for professionals in the field of architecture, design and corporate environments and also for home PC users. For those who desire something larger than life the range is equipped with built in speakers, VGA input and in built power supply and auto adjustments of brightness, colour and contrast to give the eyes miraculous picture quality. The AOC monitors give brilliant large screen performance in an urbane look and that too at a highly competitive price. Festive Chikki bites for Diwali
To add sparkle to your Diwali celebrations Chikkers Chikki Bites in peanut punch, coconut crunch, sesame surprise, and butter scotch blast are here. Priced at only Rs 49, for 300 gms, in Arabian nights theme the celebration packs of Chikki bites make ideal Diwali presents. To show you care the Chikki bites are packed with nutrients, proteins, and Vitamin B san the added colour or preservatives and can be served as alternative to conventional sweetmeats. The bites are above all most hygienically packed. Perfume to regale your senses
‘Always’ the third fragrance launched as part of the Avon’s Today, Tomorrow and Always trilogy captures the aroma and essence of endless eternal love, joy and laughter. Always, Eau de Perfume spray evokes a feeling of a vibrant and lush green garden, with its heavenly fragrance. At Rs 1800 for 50 ml Always is available with Avon Beauty advisors only. The fragrance features everlasting flower, whose enduring blooms symbolize eternity. Get sporty with Godrej Deo
Cinthol the flagship brand of Godrej Consumer Products Limited now offers more deodorant solutions with the launching of Cinthol Deo Talc’s new variant ‘Sport’, available at price of Rs 72 for 300 grams plus 300 grams free and Rs 32 for 100 grams and another 100 grams free as an introductory offer. The talc contains Triclosan to fight body odour, causing bacteria and keeps it at bay. The new product is meant for individuals with a sporty attitude and an active lifestyle. Available across India the Sport talc has premium packaging with metallic ink to give it rich finish, which is hard to miss. L’Oreal for a healthy mane
Pamper your hair with the L’Oreal’s professional scalp solutions coming from experts. The new range of products cleanses, purifies, and maintains the balance of the scalp. Its in saloon treatments are anti-dandruff treatment, balancing treatment, sensi treatment and anti hair loss treatment. The dual action technology with proven effectiveness is formulated to be perfectly balanced for all scalp types. The sensi balance shampoo for dry, sensitive and itchy scalp, sebo control shampoo for oily scalp and the norma control anti-dandruff shampoo are priced at Rs 360.
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The biscuit barrel Kandla Nijhowne THE Japanese may be known for their tea-drinking ceremony but it’s we Indians who will put the kettle on at the drop of a hat. On a killer day, when everything’s askew, give me a book, and I’ll curl up like a prawn and switch off from civilization. “Pour” in a shot of my caffeine fix, and life’s already looking up. ”Fold in” a platter of home-baked cookies, and I’m on Mount Everest! I’m infected by this dehaati streak of dunking my biscuit in the steaming chai. The challenge of retrieving it whole, before it disintegrates, is an adventure in itself, requiring practice, skill and concentration. Even when my kids were knee-high to a grasshopper, they had their favourite cookie shapes and flavours. My kitchen worktop would look like a cross between an airport and a garden, with baking-sheets laden with aeroplanes and daisy shapes, cooling side by side. If you’re worried about the reading on your weighing-scales, substitute some of the maida with atta, bran and a small portion of de-fatted soya flour. Some of the butter can be replaced with oil. Seeds ( magaz ),chopped nuts and raisins will help add fibre, nutrition and texture. Chocolate-Chip Cookies ½ cup butter Method Pre-heat oven to 185º C. Beat the sugar and butter together until creamy. Coconut Buttons 125 gm butter Method Pre-heat oven to 185º C. Beat the sugar and butter together, until creamy.
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Mera Yaar
Meri Zindagi… MEET QAXI NADEEB IQBAL, a journalist from Lahore, who is in India the sixth time in the past five years, and the song that comes to one’s lips is of vintage 70s. Yes, it is Yaari Hai Imaan Mera Yaar Meri Zindagi filmed on Pran in Zanjeer. The yaar, of course, was Big B, who became a super star with the film.
In the case of Iqbal, there is not just one yaar but many and that too across the border. In the city to meet his friends, he says: “Chandigarh for me means friends like Chanchal Manohar, A. S. Pal, S.P. Singh, Bhupinder Jain and others. What is interesting is that many of them are media persons?” Iqbal feels that interaction of media persons on both sides of the border is essential for good ties on both sides of the border. “People on both sides of the border want friendship and it is crucial that no tensions be created by vested interests at this point,” says Iqbal. Bhupinder Jain, who along with other senior members of the Jain community had visited Pakistan early this year to see the Jain temples there, was a guest of Iqbal in Lahore. He says, “The love and affection we got there was unparalleled and the Press Club even went to the extent of cooing a meal for us that was free of onions and garlic.” Iqbal’s first visit to India was to attend the World Punjabi Congress in Chandigarh and this time he came to participate in the Urs of Hazrat Abu Nami Shami’s durbar at Sham Churasi, near Jaladhar. “What is touching is that Hindus and Sikhs look after the durbar and this only shows that people respect faith no matter what religion it may be associated with,” he says. What pains him is the expensive bus fare that is beyond the reach of the common person on both sides of the border and also the difficulties in obtain visas on both sides. After having worked with various Urdu dailies, Iqbal now brings out his paper in Urdu called Daily Ausaf that is published simultaneously from Lahore, Islamabad, Multan and Frankfurt. His favourite subject is, of course, Indo-Pak relations, which he says will only improve with time. Insha Allah!
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SWIRLS of fabric, reverberating dhol music, waves created by psychedelic lights causing ripples and glittery dresses twinkling like stars…. You just cannot ask for more. And that also from young scholars treading the path of professionalism during Freshers party “Pristine – 2006” organised Friday afternoon at Chandigarh Group of Colleges in Landran, near Mohali.
As the seniors descend upon the hall to accord a warm welcome to the young entrants, the whisper of the mild breeze mingles with the rhythmic notes flowing out of the musical instruments to add a whiff of festivity to the air. Adding to the excitement are musical dances, parodies and bhangra performances by the young talent. In fact, clad in their traditional best, the youngsters throng the hall much before the commencement of the show. Well, the programme begins with the lighting of lamp by Chairman of CGC Satnam S. Sandhu and President Rashpal S. Dhaliwal. Befitting the occasion, they give the students the message of hard work and discipline, along with entertainment. Then begins to flow soul-stirring sufi music. And then the students descend upon the stage to perform “Punjaban” and other group dances, along with bhangra to the thumping dhol beats. And then begins the fashion parade for choosing “Mr” and “Miss” It’s a tough fight for the top slot. A solo dance item by some other students leaves the crowd applauding. The programme ends with the college band presenting a musical-item. In the end, college principal Dr G D Bansal distributes prizes to the winners. —Saurabh Malik
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Lucky Paris
Justin fouls up
He may have serenaded one of Hollywood’s most sought after babe, but it seems that pop singer Justin Timberlake is still a novice in the art of wooing his lady-love Cameron Diaz.
The singer was romancing his long-term girlfriend Cameron Diaz at plush Ciao Bella restaurant, in New York but things turned decidedly sour when Timberlake started to compare Cameron’s new brunette hair-do with that of his ex, Britney Spears.
“Justin said to Cameron that brown hair had become a trend since Britney dyed hers, basically accusing her of following in his ex’s footsteps,” a source was quoted by the Mirror, as saying. Changed Cruise
Hollywood actor Stephen Baldwin feels that there have been a lot of changes in his Born on The Fourth of July co-star Tom Cruise ever since they starred together in the Vietnam War film in 1989.
The 40-year-old star says he misses the qualities of Joe, which Cruise once possessed, and that he is one amongst the people for whom he often prays.
“On the Hollywood list of people I pray for often, Tom Cruise is probably number one. I’d love to break bread with him and pray with him, and I’d love for the Holy Spirit of God to reveal the truth to him,” Contactmusic quoted Baldwin as saying.
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YOU love to chirp in sync with the music flowing out of the bathroom tap. But you just have not been able to display your flair before the microphone. In the very first place, opportunity never knocked at your door. Or even if it did, you never heard its thump because you were too busy listening to the din of daily existence with plugs in your ears. Well, do not scream over opportunity spilled. Just get out of the washroom and let your voice flood the hearts of so many music lovers, now. For, two-wheeler major TVS Motor Company is organising the “ biggest” talent hunt. Ah, the company is listening for the “Voice of Punjab”. Right, the company in association with ETC Channel Punjabi and Zee Punjabi, is all set to take you for a ride all the way to glory and fame after carrying so many of you daily to your destination on their motorbikes. In Chandigarh to promote the programme, the company people say: “StaR City - Punjab Da Superstar” is aimed at bringing to the fore aspiring Punjabi singers with talent. For empowering them, the organisers plan to provide them a unique platform to exhibit their talent. The grand winners in the male and female categories will get a chance to bring out an album produced exclusively by Speed Records. In addition, all the finalists, including the winners will get to ride home “ StaR City ” or “Scooty”. Singers short-listed in each round will take part in quarterfinals, semifinals and finals before crooning their way to the grand finale scheduled to be held on November 25 here in Chandigarh. The contest is open only to Punjab residents in their mid 20s. The entire process will be telecast on ETC Channel Punjabi as well as Zee Punjabi every week till the grand finale. So folks, what are you waiting for! Go, sing yourself to glory. — Saurabh Malik
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Pollywood in the making SHOOTING in Chandigarh seems to be the latest fad among the filmmakers. Going by the number of films being shot in and around and with the proposed film city coming up soon, the city would soon be a hub of filmi people.
The latest one being Security Tight, a Punjabi film directed by Ravi Nishand. A comedian himself (he worked with Jaspal Bhatti productions for many years), Ravi (sitting calmly donning the director’s cap) reveals, “I never enjoyed acting as I always wanted to be a director. In reality acting was a mode of survival for me while I was gathering all that is required for directing right from technical know-how to the finances required. Interestingly, the film which is lapping it up at Kalagram, is a satire on the police system and playing the dim-witted cops caught in funny situations are none other than the stand up comedians, Pratap Faujdar, Deepak Raja, Sudesh Lahiri and Khayali Saharan from the much liked The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. For the first time noted Punjabi actor Vivek Shauq, is playing a negative role in the film. “It is actually easy availability of regional artists with authentic ‘Punjabi accent’ and economically affordable locations which bring the film makers to Chandigarh to see their much loved script being shot in reality,” opines Ravi, director of the film. On being asked as to what is better amongst stand up comedy and acting, Deepak Raja (popularly known as ‘all in one and one in all’ owing to his act of mimicking all the participants of the laughter challenge) replies, “It is actually the presentation that matters in both cases as the task in hand remains the same – tickling the funny bone of the people”. With other Punjabi movies disappearing in oblivion, let’s hope this work wonders for ‘Pollywood’.
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Mughlai Dum Pukht As one enters the place, aroma of the ‘dum’ cooked food wafts out tickling the taste buds. What makes the food festival all the more authentic is that especially for the festival, Chef Mohammad Margoob Alam, who specialises in dum phukt food, has been flown in from Mumbai. So, what happens when expertise combine with authentic masalas and are put together in a handi sealed with dough? Well, the resultants are certainly some mouth watering delights such as Paneer Saunfiya (which is fresh cottage cheese flavoured with aniseed and barbequed), Kareli ki nihari (in which a pair of elegantly exposed shanks withy marrow are ‘dum’ cooked with cardamom tinged juices and finished with saffron) and dum sabz handi to name just a few. The menu for the food festival is extensively carved keeping in mind both vegetarians and non – vegetarians palate, offering ten different kebabs for staring up and an equal number of dishes for the main course. Crediting it all to the food connoisseurs of the city, Sandeep Sharma, General Manager, says, “We were thinking of including some thing new in our menu and this food festival turned out to be a pilot study. Owing to the response that this festival is getting, we will definitely include some of these dishes in our regular menu. We are also planning to employ two of the assistants of the Chef Alam for churning out the dishes here.” For chef Alam (who swears by Kakori Kebabs and Galawti Kebabbs when it comes to his own favourites), it’s actually a combination of brain work and culinary skills combined with experience (and his ‘secret masalas’ too!) that does all the magic. “One has to be really careful of the amount of masalas going into the dish and also the time for which it has to be cooked as all the ingredients are cooked in their own oils with just the right amount of flame,” reveals Alam. While this festival is on till September 22, make sure all of you savour the royal delights with lots of ‘dum’.
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Health tip of the day
Individuals who prefer sleeping on the side should tuck the side pillow between shoulder and chin and not under the shoulder to avoid pain in neck muscles.
— Dr. Ravinder Chadha |
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In earlier pieces small, terracotta compost containers had been described. They were enough for a balcony or terrace garden Today we are talking of a compost factory for a large plot.
WORRIED about the electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones, your prayers are answered. Cogent EMR solutions now offers products meant for checking harmful radiations coming from mobile handsets with a micro chip attached to the top of the mobile phone. The chip produced by Cogent Solutions diminishes the harmful radiations when the phone is in use. The company has also created a mobile phone cover to take care of the non ionizing radiation. Making the products affordable is its price range from Rs 99 to Rs 450.
THE director of socialite Paris Hilton’s new direct-to-video comedy has defended the star against claims that she was late on the set and failed to learn her lines.
Actress Simona Fusco who co-stars in the film Bottoms Up had accused the heiress of almost ruining the movie with her diva antics. She said that Paris would turn up late, usually coming straight from a party and would never know any of her lines.
However, director Erik Macarthur confesses he had an affair with Fusco and claims she is angry because he only gave her one line.
MUCH to the delight of the food lovers in Chandigarh, Copper Chimney in Sector-26 is beaming with activities these days; courtesy a food festival based on the Mughal era. Yes, the ongoing Dum Phukt Food Festival here is doing all the magic.