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Fatal Drive
Indifference, desire to rebel, excessive money, late night booze party, peer pressure, an urgent call on the mobile, flexible rules, under the table dealings… are all these enough to compensate for a life? We chat up the unlicensed, young and reckless drivers on the wheels and find out. (names changed on request) Harpreet wished for a swanky car for his sixteenth birthday. And, phew, his wish was granted. A brand new Skoda Activa waited for him at the door on the day. The license was missing. “Does a son of a rich bureaucrat require one? “ he questions. After all, dad is just a call away.
Sameer, a Panjab University student gives us a reality check. His list of reasons behind the increasing number of accidents reads: A son of a police official, IAS, minister or any high rank office. Money to compromise on the spot with the cops and the other party. If bribing doesn’t work then get a chalaan and collect the license from the department. A class XI student, Rahul rides a second-hand Pulsar to his tuitions. He needed the vehicle for academic reasons, he claims. As for the license, he procured it. “It was simple, a passport size picture, ration card, xerox copies of class X mark-sheet and Rs 600 was all that was required. The year of birth was meticulously changed and the form attested by a friend’s father. Rs 300 went to the supervisor for the driving test and the rest to the man on the window,” he tells. Ritu, 25, a resident of the city has been driving her Zen with a license from the Haryana department for the past five years now. Her father’s school-time buddy works in the department. Forget passing through a driving test, she doesn’t even remember signing on a single document for getting hold of a license. Her colleague Neha recalls how she would sneak out of the home with the car once the family slept. “The first day I took out the car I felt powerful.” The late night drives continued till one day she rammed into a street light. Their friend, 23-year-old Sandeep, a regular at all city parties lives on music, dance and vodka. And, he claims to be a good driver even after a handful pegs. It is our duty to wake the youth to the reality, be it as a cop, an influential parent, a bartender, a friend or as anyone who frowns each day he picks up the city paper. And, while, these youngsters sense nothing unusual about their ways, we, on our end, keep our fingers crossed. purva@tribunemail.com
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Punjabi tadka
The sun is shining on the region’s plush cultural heritage and tradition. After snuggling under the thick blanket of clouds since Friday morning, it’s finally awake. And, it’s beaming on all those customary goods brought to Shanti Kunj-16 by students from all over Punjab. Right, for the two-day Teej festival is slated to continue till Saturday!
If you too wish to let the feeling of ‘back to the roots’ grow on you, just drive down to the lush green lawns of the Kunj. And you will find so many youngsters showcasing stuff you have so often seen in Punjabi flicks. Right from charkha and madani to hand fans, customary jewellery boxes, hand-woven sheets and phulkari, everything is on display. Some of the stuff has actually been borrowed by the students from their grandmothers for the purpose of display. “It was not easy to convince the younglings and their parents. For, some of the things — jewellery boxes for one — had been handed over to them by their fathers and forefathers,” says Daljit Kaur, an exhibitionist-cum-teacher with a district school in Ludhiana. “But when we told them that the entire effort was aimed at familiarising others with the region’s heritage, they agreed.” So fellows, even if the clouds are threatening to wash the excitement away, look for those breaks and visit the venue. You will not regret it. That’s for sure! Once there, make it a point to allow the swings, hanging from the dense trees, to sway you nicely. Also, remember to carry out an in-depth study of the region’s glorious legacy by visiting the make-shift wells. And then enter through the chokrian wale darwaje for savouring the taste of village life at the pind di rasoi. You also have a nice compact farm and a vehra complete with an impressive cart, traditional lamps and even charpoys. “Call it obsession of city residents for rural life, or just whim and fantasies of the planners, whatever you like. The fact remains that people simply love the pristine rural environs especially created for giving them a gala time,” says a local councillor. Well guys, enjoy instrumental music, traditional Punjabi dance, Himachali cultural programmes and so many other items on Saturday. Above all, be there in the evening for Pakistani artiste Begam Afshan’s live performance. Have a nice time. |
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Radio Ga Ga…
It has seen the good days and the bad. It’s been through everything, from the exciting phase of being the crowd puller in the early eighties to being the fading star in the nineties when chic entertainers took over. Many even disowned it, finding it as the eyesore in their sleek, sophisticated dens and sold it off to some raddiwala. One would say this is the philosophy of life—old has to be discarded in order to create space for the new. But is it always so? Beyond the demarcating line of the old and new, there is something called sentimental value. And some of us have difficulty in letting go just because we are bound by it. Or why would someone create a special corner in a cramped building for about ten old radio sets, most of them defunct? Only because they bring back the magic of the bygone era! We are talking about Hardeep S. Chandpuri and his old radio collection. “It is a recent hobby, started only a couple of days ago. Since I have this Academy of Broadcasting now, it jells well my profession,” says Chandpuri. His hunt took him around the kabadiwalas, people’s homes to far flung areas that yielded in some unique collections like a Ferguson model in ivory case, a round-dial 1952 Phillips model, another one with all the cities of India embossed on it and one huge spool player, a 1966 model from Holland. “Actually my affair with radio started when I saw this Sony set my father had acquired from Ghaza,” he says. Chandpuri also keeps a black and white photo of Marconi, the inventor of radio to complement the décor. Col Narendra Kumar Bhatia, a cardiologist who used to moonlight as a sports commentator for A.I.R, is only too happy to show off a huge radiogram (40 inch long and 30 inch high) that occupies an important position in his home décor. “Actually this set came as my wedding gift in 1969. It has a Murphy radio set and a Gerrard record player,” says Bhatia. From Bhatia, who has always been a radio buff, we get some valuable information—“During 1948-49, the All-India Radio used to broadcast aarti (Om Jai Jagdish) at 7 pm on Tuesdays. There was this hugely popular programme Lipton Ke Sitare which was presented by Balraj and there was this ever-popular Binaca Geet Mala presented by Amin Sayani,” he says. Ditto for Renu Bhatia, whose family owns a set made by the Hindustan General Election Corporation somewhere in the 1930s.“It belonged to my husband’s grandfather,” says Renu, vice-principal of Vivek High School, pointing at the 2 feet long, 11/2 feet high and 9 inches deep set which remains under the covers most of the time. “It’s defunct but it is like a family heirloom,” she smiles. There are others who are determined to bring their antique sets to life again. Chanchal Bhatia of Zirakpur, who bought her Phillips model from her home state UP, has recently got it re-serviced and re-modelled. “My father bought this set for me even before I was married,” she says. We are sure it holds sentimental value for her. And it takes us back to Carpenters’ number –When I was young I listened to the radio, waiting for my favourite song… parbina@tribunemail.com
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Known as the ‘unpaid baby sitter’ among the residents of Sector 21A, Vir Singh proved one did not need to be worldly-wise or possess a fancy degree to make a place among people’s hearts. A familiar figure in the community, he could easily bring a smile to a crying child or share talks with adults. “He was slightly mentally challenged, but he never was aggressive or harmed anyone. He often used to get prasad from gurdwaras for us,” says Rachna Sethi. “The only demand he ever made was a cup of tea,” she adds. He would often offer to deposit the resident’s power electricity or water bills to the people he knew and charge Rs 1 for his service. Dr Usha Gupta who formed a close bond with Vir Singh only recently, says she broke down during the cremation. “Vir was a familiar figure who was often seen in the company of children. His love for tea was legendary,” she says. “He was about 75, but still walked around, spreading a note of joy to the neighbourhood,” says Anup Kaur, who is mourning his death. There are others who feel the same. Because without this shadowy figure moving around with an innocent smile and radiating warmth, Sector 21-A becomes just another colony! — P. R. |
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Soon, your car could get high on Scotch!
Scotland’s famous whisky industry could become the source of eco-friendly biofuels for cars, with motorists powering their engines from the by-products of distilling, according to a new study by researchers from Abertay University’s School of Contemporary Sciences. The scientists say the main advantages of bioethanol over traditional fuels is that it is neutral, produces 65 percent less greenhouse gas emissions, and also burns at a higher temperature.
Prof. Walker from the university said the product would be pure alcohol, once it is distilled. “It would certainly smell like strong alcohol,” he said.
— ANI |
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Doing away with deadlocks
Silky no more There you were, confidently sailing through any corporate crisis, and here you are, all confused. For, it’s been happening for a month now—- your straight, silky tresses (and oh-so-glam bangs), that would put any hair straightener to shame, have now become flat, lifeless and limp. Hair and how: Reasons Rewa Dharni of Persona-5, Panchkula, “Humidity breaks up the straight-hair bonds (building blocks inside the hair shaft).” Fighting with the enemy: Hair and scalp expert Rajinder Pashricha of La Coiffure, N.A.C., helps you offset that flat-as-a-pancake look by suggesting you apply a conditioner to the ends of the hair while you’re still in the shower (avoiding the roots completely) and then topping the head with shampoo. End with a complete rinse. Expertspeak: Go in for water-based leave on conditioners, deep conditioners or hair masks. Grandma’s wisdom: Use a volumising shampoo and blow-dry your hair with your head hanging down. Apply a bowlful of henna and curd before the head bath. No fizz! You’ve recently started lunching in your new scarf. Of course, that Raza scarf cost you a fortune, but does that explain flaunting it at every social do? Well, stop trying to hide that peak-a-boo at a scalp full of funny-looking frizzy hair. Hair and how: Explains Harween Kathuria of Cleopatra-8, “In monsoons because of high humidity, we sweat a lot and the moisture in the air, it disturbs our scalp’s ph balance because of which it leads to fizzy, hair. Fighting with the enemy: Use shampoos meant for dry and damaged hair. Frequently apply a wash-off conditioner and hair serum to soften hair. Expertspeak: Suggests Ritu Kolentine of Cleopatra-8, “Use a good light weight “leave in conditioner”, anti frizz serum, and wash your hair more frequently, apply conditioners away from the scalp 4-6 inch to the hair length, leave in conditioners and cream will hydrate and nourish your locks and relax curls and minimize frizz. Go for hair products with vitamins as they tend to smoothen hair. Use mild shampoos like those with sodium laureth sulfate. Grandma’s wisdom: Apply mustard/olive oil to the hair before a head bath. Simply smelly/oily You’re actually thinking of skipping that cooking oil from the grocery list. For, your mane’s an oil-factory enough. To make matters worse, sweaty and oily hair attract dirt and begin stinking, attracting dandruff . Hair and how: Perspiration due to humidity makes your sebaceous glands hyper active. Fighting the enemy: A regular head-bath. Heat pure coconut/olive oil and apply it on your scalp with cotton wool to dislodge grime or dandruff flakes. Expertspeak: Use peppermint and mint-based shampoos. Advises beauty and hair consultant Richa Aggarwal, “For dandruff, in a bowl of curd add 1 spoon of white vinegar and 1 spoon beer (optional) apply to your scalp and leave for 15 mins and wash it. It is an excellent recipe for itchiness, dandruff and hair fall. Grandma’s wisdom: Sprinkle 5 drops of any perfume into water you’ll use for shampooing. Boil used tealeaves in a pan of water. Add the juice of a lemon to it after you cool and strain it. Use this water for your post-shampooing-rinse for shiny, oil-free hair. The great fall Tired of that itch, flake, split and fall? Sick of mags telling you it’s seasonal? Before you decide to avoid wearing any light colours (because whenever you move around, let alone combing your hair, you end up scattering hundreds of hair around), read this: Hair and how: Says Panchkula-based dietcian Geeta Pahwa, “Nutritional deficiency, illness or constantly unclean hair are the main reasons for hair fall. Fighting with the enemy: Apply mustard oil and curd to your mane. Wet a towel in boiling water and after rinsing it, tie it firmly like a turban around your head. The steam will help the curd-oil mixture to penetrate well. Expertspeak: Pahwa suggests including lots of iron and zinc in your diet. Grandma’s wisdom: Mix banana, honey, yoghurt and milk in a bowl and apply gently to strengthen hair roots. |
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beauty studio
In present times where the need to look good and be presentable is important like never before, you tend to spend more and more time in the salon, chilling and pampering yourself. The relationship you form with your stylist or colourist could be the most intimate, as they are the only ones who can show practical indifference while examining your colour or your damaged hair. You certainly want to be sure if you are doing all you should be to ensure prompt service and have wonderful hair and colour treatments.
* Be on time for your appointment. There could be nothing worse than reaching late – you will delay everyone down the line. *
On the first appointment, help your stylist tailor a look to suit your style and personality. Tell them a bit about yourself and your lifestyle. *
If your stylist is busy and keeps you waiting, have patience. Go and have a quiet word with the manager. *
Get directions to the salon and the price list in advance to avoid confusion. *
Explain in detail the kind of style you would like, your disappointments with your hair type and the natural fall of your hair. Be honest in conveying to your stylist the kind of limitations you could have for colour commitments or how often you can re-visit the salon. *
Don’t move around too much in the stylists chair, sit upright and face forward, if you sit cross legged your style could be lopsided. *
Remember your cell phones, lap tops could really bother the stylist and keep him away from giving you the desired results. *
Being pleasant and open to suggestions is a nice way to treat your stylist, especially if they are aiming to please you. At the end of the service in the salon, I often wonder how much tip should I be leaving? Tina Good service deserves to be recognized. It only reconfirms that what you had done is liked by you. Good tippers always have their stylist’s full attention. Lowest tip could be 10% and highest 25%. However, if your stylist has gone out of the way to do an extra bit of service for you like adding a shoulder massage to your shampoo and then it is only fair to give 20% as tip. In expensive salons, the percentage depends entirely upon you. If you arrive late or the salon has squeezed you into their appointment diary then it is fair enough to be bit generous. Believe me, it only helps strengthen your relationship with your stylist and salon. Your suggestions on oily skin have worked wonders for me, but I have another problem. My face is hairy. My chin looks darker than the face due to the hair. My mum doesn’t allow me to undergo electrolysis. Please suggest some homemade remedies. Ananya, I am glad my tips worked for you. Your mother’s worries about electrolysis are justified. If not done by a highly trained person, electrolysis can leave you with permanent scars on your face. Also, there is no guarantee that the growth won’t come back. Threading is your best option as it takes the hair out from the root, exfoliates the skin and does no damage. Repeated attacks can help the hair become finer and less noticeable. Apply besan ka uptan on your face and chin. Let dry for 15 minutes. Rub it off in small circular motions. Hope that helps. (This column appears fortnightly) |
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In a tribute to its alma mater, St. Johns Old Boys Association (SJOBA) has published Roots & Wings — a book showcasing the magnificence of St. John’s High School- 26. This coffee table edition by SJOBA highlights the school and the verve with which SJOBA has been functioning.
According to Vivek Atray, president of SJOBA, Roots and Wings brings out the multifaceted life of a Johnian. The authors of most of the chapters are those who have given their brains to SJOBA for years. The book is a tribute to them and also the unsung volunteers from over the years. “We have managed to capture the best highlights of SJOBA and St John’s High School in this book,” he says. The book is based on the collected photographs and artickes from the SJOBA members. The editorial board comprised Mac Sarin, Vivek Atray and Desh Deepak Khanna. The cover photo of Roots & Wings is by Vivek Bansal. The book is priced at Rs. 200. It will be released at St. John’s School on Saturday. —TNS |
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Don’t combine too many jobs that involve standing and stooping as they place a heavy load on the low back muscles. — Dr Ravinder Chadha
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Pepsi has unveiled its stylish ‘My Can’ – a packaging innovation that reflects the style of today’s youth while giving them a platform to express themselves. The power-packed launch saw India’s leading film stars and Pepsi Brand ambassadors — Shahrukh Khan and John Abraham — sharing the stage for the first time. My Can will offer the youth a unique opportunity of seeing themselves on their favourite Pepsi pack. In a unique consumer activation exercise, 10 faces from across the country will be featured on the next edition of Pepsi ‘My Can’ as part of a nation-wide consumer engagement programme. Pepsi ‘My Can’ will be available across India at an attractive price of Rs15 only. 
Looking for a softer, silkier, relaxed and more natural look instead of extra straight hair, then Wella’s new Wella strate Relaxing Service’ is the ideal service for your hair. The new technique helps you achieve stress-free natural flowing tresses. It gives lustrous effect and even results owing to the viscous neutralising emulsion that distributes easily in the hair. It is a full service system with specially harmonised care products that ensures that your hair feels relaxed and cared at all times. The Wellastrate Relaxing Service comprises Prep Cream, Wellastrate Intense/Mild Cream, Hot Iron Fluid, Neutralising Emulsion, Straight Saver and Care Booster. 
P&G launches Olay Total Effects with VitaNiacin, the number one anti-ageing moisturiser to fight the seven signs of skin ageing. It is an exclusive moisturising combination of three key components — niacinamide (Vitamin B3), Vitamin E and Pro-Vitamin B5 (panthenol) — each one works effectively to fight the signs of ageing. It leaves the skin soft, smooth, radiant, even toned and firmer with its moisturiser and sun-protection and is ideal for Indian skin. It comes in a convenient, easy-to-squeeze pump jar, perfectly sized for every woman’s handbag, and is available in two variants - normal (UV and non-UV), and gentle (UV and Non-UV). It is priced at Rs 599 for a 50gm pump jar that, if used once at morning and night, lasts a month.
It’s