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Tears & TRPs
A
minor flu. A surprise visit by your parents on the sets. A slightly harsh comment by the judge (who is in fact there to comment on your performance). An exit from a talent hunt show. Excessive praise from fans. Recalling tough times you faced before making it big. All this and more is enough to make you shed tears in front of millions watching you on their telly screens. Right from Himesh Reshammiya and Dharmendra to Rakhi Sawant and the budding brigade of our talented youngsters, all seem to be grabbing more attention with their moist eyes than with their works. Forget women, men too are not behind in following the trend of crying in public. The last time we remember watching activated lachrymal glands on screen was on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal. The lady in white had in her the capacity to make anybody and everybody shed a tear at the mere drop of a hat. Talk now and things have changed, it’s fine to cry in public without any reason. For, now your crying quotient spells your popularity status. Taking over Simi’s role is the very sensitive Karan Johar, a beginner in making his guests shed tears on Kofee with Karan. Reshammiya cried in disbelief when his fans praised him to extreme. Sawant moved to tears as she talked of the father who didn’t let her dance, the mother who failed to understand her. Last week our Punjab ka puttar Ishmeet sobbed uncontrollably as he returned to perform after a stomach infection. And, while the nation voted to ensure that the epitome of ‘strength’ continues to be a part of Star’s VOI, the budding singer talked of the journey from the hospital bed to the stage. Switch to Zee’s Sa Re Ga… or Sony’s Indian Idol and things are no different. Forget contestants who cry over bidding goodbye to fame, money and more, the judges too oft move to tears. And then, there was this whole group of forgotten celebs, howling, crying, sobbing and weeping for attention, on Sony’s Bigg Boss a few months back. And as if the melodrama of adults crying over missing family and having to cook food was not enough, the reality show held an award night to honour the cry baby of the show. Come award nights and the taps overflow. Undoubtedly a recognition for your work is good enough to move you to khushi ke asoon and so Dharmendra moving to tears as he got a lifetime achievement award (his first) was understandable, but joining him was the tough Sunny and li’l brother Bobby too. And, on another award night we saw the Bachchan clan (including the daughter-in-law) sobbing as Jaya grabbed an award. Not-so-real tears make for rising TRPs for shows, increasing popularity for the celeb or wanna-be celeb and bigger vote banks. So, if you are a public figure, you share your bottled up emotions with all those watching you. And then, isn’t it said that a single tear is at times, more powerful than a million dollar smile.
purva@tribunemail.com |
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Singers
Shining OF course, he’s got talent! But he owes his iconic status to his small-town, middle-class image that moved the people of entire North-East, uniting them in a common goal — Debojit’s victory. So the much prevailed Bengali-Assamese difference (Debojit is an Assamese of Bengali origin) ceased to exist and the euphoric crowd joined hands, rather fingers, to push the SMS keys, voting him all the way to victory in Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma in 2005. Yes, he is Debojit Saha, a success story that anyone can recall.
Though indebted to his people, he is equally grateful to the talent hunt show for giving him a platform to become successful in his chosen line. “I knew I could sing but in a place like Silchar (his hometown), scope was limited. So I moved to Mumbai and there started my story of struggle. Had it not been for my victory in Sa Re…, I would still be a struggling singer,” says Debojit, still a hero in Assam, so much so that whenever he visits to perform there, the state has to deploy extra traffic force to rule the mob. Now we have Poonam from Lucknow. A girl from a poor background, who has made to the top nine of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Challenge 2007. “You all must have read the story about her struggle in life. But thanks to this show, she is standing on the same platform as any of us. Once you make an entry to such shows, it’s your talent that matters,” says Harpreet Deol, city-boy who has also made to the top nine, besides offers to sing in films and shows, that are already pouring in. And there is Toshi, making his way up in Amul Star Voice of India. This boy with a humble background struggled in Mumbai for two years before he got this chance. “Guess what, when I was in Mumbai trying out my luck in the music industry, I attained minor success. I was in my hometown Jaipur when the audition for this programme happened and I qualified,” says Toshi. Toshi, who comes from a musical background, is ecstatic to be part of the top 12 team. “I was initiated into classical music when I was a child, but the kind of grooming I am getting here, would not have been possible for me otherwise. It comes in a capsule form, transforming us from gawky singers to sophisticated performers. And the exposure is awesome,” says Toshi, narrating how he is now rubbing shoulders with music director Aadesh Srivastava, singer Kunal Ganjewala, Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik, Lalit Pandit and the Bhatt family. “In an ordinary situation, it would take months to get an appointment with any of them,” says Toshi. “In fact, the other day, Mahesh Bhatt gave me his visiting card and asked me to meet him,” he adds. It’s a happy starting for these beginners. An opportunity that eluded the past generation singers. As wisely put by 1997 Sa-Re-Ga… winner Rinku Kalia, “Today’s shows are providing far more opportunities to the budding talent than what it used to be in our times,” she says. The difference, according to her, lies in the panel of the judges. “Earlier, the judges used to be legends like Parveen Sultana, Ahmed Hussain, Muhhamad Hussain, Anil Bishwas and the likes who could give valuable tips but no work because they were legends but not active in the industry. Now, the judges themselves are newcomers and are on the lookout for new voices. No wonder, if you have a look at a film album, eight songs would be sung by eight different singers. This trend has opened up vistas for aspiring singers and such shows are giving them the right platform,” she adds. You may be a cynic and scoff off such programmes for raising SMS-singers, but these talent hunt shows are here to stay. For, it is a case of symbiosis — the music industry needs new talent and the new talent needs a platform.
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City’s new-age service providers offer everything at your doorstep Flashback: A tale of tedious chores
You’ve got terribly late for office. It’s the (dooms) day when your alarm’s ditched you, the house maid’s fallen sick, your kids’ school van is on a strike. And as you are driving down (no, your car doesn’t break down in Ramsay horror flick style), your spouse calls up, “Honey, everything’s gonna close down by the time you’ll get back from office. So would you please pick a few things right away —- the designer churidaar I’m supposed to wear at Pinki’s wedding, your suit from the drycleaner, dog shampoos for your lil’ puppy and of course grocery… Fast forward: A treat for time-snatchers The doorbell rings and all you hear is ‘relief.’ For, your drycleaner’s got your clothes dry-cleaned and steam ironed, your designer’s standing at your doorstep with your outfits in tow, a dog trainer’s arrived at your place, fully equipped with dog shampoos, deodorants, nail clippers et al and grocery’s jumped from the aisles and arrived at your home too… Pinch yourself hard and you’ll realize it’s not a dream but a reality you could rejoice about. For, right from ordering grocery, giving your puppy a luxury bath (followed by a hair-cutting and colouring session if you so desire) and booking a cab to getting your designer outfits stitched and dry-cleaned, sprucing up your carpets and sofas, packing your furniture while shifting and even treating your body to some yoga or fitness therapy, it’s all there for you at the click of a few (mobile phone) keys.
Think out of the box Brothers Ajay and Sandeep Kumar Kanojia have certainly given their parental dry-cleaning business —- Blue Box Dry-cleaners —- a convenient twist. Though operating from their shop in sector 33, they offer their clients’ clothes a free pick-up and drop facility. Just call them and they’ll arrive at your doorstep with their delivery boys in their trademark van, collect your clothes, dry-clean, steam iron and pack them in a moth-free, vacuumised wrapping before getting them home delivered. And that’s not all; the duo promises one free steam ironing for the clothes dry-cleaned by them. “Everybody today wants to save on time and energy and home delivery’s the key to it.” Dose of convenience Smiles Kavita Gautam, a young designer presently working with labels like Black, Apex Apparels, Octave and a few export houses, “I started with a little boutique and two kaarigars in Manimajra six years back. What caught on, however, was my concept of visiting women, understanding their requirements and delivering designer creations at their homes. Most women find it inconvenient to visit a boutique, especially the working ones.” Agrees Vikram Kapoor, Group Fitness Manager at Ozone-9, “ I’ve been into freelancing for 4 years, training the likes of Abhinav Bindra and local corporate honchos. Most working people are too pressed for time and can’t make it to the gyms regularly. So they hire personal gym trainers (Rs 8,000-15,000 a month) for their home gyms. It’s convenient, time saving and flexible. Dial a service Chips in Sonu, president of Chandigarh’s dog training association, running his Sheena Dog Centre- 20,“We provide home delivery services like special tick, aroma and anti-allergic baths, hair cutting, hair colouring and nail clipping for dogs.” Such good has been the response to this concept that Sonu’s even started selling dogs by home delivery! Adds Rahul Parivahan from Movers&Packers-Zirakpur,“We’ve been home delivering packers for a year now. They’ll pack everything for you, provide you the vehicles for transport, get you an insurance cover for your things and ensure shifting a house becomes a cakewalk.” No wonder, Rahul’s barely-an-year-old service is a big hit and has entire Punjab, Haryana and Himachal under its umbrella. Well, lazybones, workaholics and those perpetually pressed for time can actually clink glasses. For, the young breed of service providers in town has actually brought everything (in a fancy platter) to your doorstep. |
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LITTLE INTERVIEW
Vidya Balan is definitely the most sought-after actress in the Bollywood today. She’s lived up to the hype created around her through her remarkable performances in Parineeta, Lage Raho Munnabhai, Eklavya—The Royal Guard and Guru. The actress, who made her acting debut opposite Southern star Mohan Lal in Charkan, is all set to scale newer heights with Sajid Nadiadwala’s Hey Babyy. Vidya Balan talks to Life Style about being busy and creatively satisfied. *
You are being counted among the most sought-after female actors by filmmakers. Does that gratify you? God has been very kind to me. I have been conscious in choosing films and roles that I myself enjoy watching on silver screen. My aim has always been entertain viewers by my performances. *
You have certainly caught the eye in Parineeta? I got a lot of applause both from the media as well as the viewers. It feels great. And I give full credit to director Pradeep Sarkar and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra. *
Any comments on Sanjay Dutt and Saif Ali Khan? I really enjoyed sharing screen space with two of the hottest stars in Bollywood. Both are lovely human beings. They made me feel so much at ease while shooting for Parineeta. Will your new film Hey Babyy be as much fun? Well, Hey Babyy is a great comedy that will have you rolling over with laughter. And the sequences will drive you to tears. *
Are you a part of Munnabhai Chale America? If it is a continuation of Lage Raho Munnabhai story, then I will be in. *
Why did you turn down Choodiyaan and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom? Due to the problem of dates, I could not be a part of these two big banner films. *
Your upcoming projects? Besides ‘Munnabhai 2’ and ‘Yagna,’ some more projects are in the offering.
— Dharam Pal |
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First Day First Show
Sajid Khan surely leaves his mark as a director in his directorial debut Heyy Babyy. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film is an outright comedy and has well-proportioned box-office ingredients to make it entertaining. In Heyy Babyy, the director merges comic and emotional sequences with aplomb. The sequences with the baby girl are entertaining and have been captured well. Himman Dhamija’s camera work has made a rich contribution to the film.The stunning locales of Sydney look striking on screen. Dialogues are okay. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy has come up with a peppy and melodius score and the background music is good. The track Mast Kalandar really rocks. Akshay Kumar is excellent. Fardeen Khan handles his character very well. Riteish Deshmukh also excels in his role. Vidya Balan enacts her role with amazing ease and Boman Irani is comfortable in his role. The baby is lovable. The entertainer surely has its share of glitches. This is purely an entertainer, especially for the teenagers. We can expect good business from this movie. Watch it at Batra and K.C., Panchkula.
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Write to Renee
* I am 45-year-old single woman having a relationship with a married man for the past 10 years. I have been happy with this arrangement, but now I have started feeling depressed and rejected. My friend laughs it off saying I am going through a mid life crisis. He reassured me that he would always be there for me. Still I am not comfortable. Please suggest. It is amazing how many times I have been addressing similar problems. There are selfish men around who are emotional users. Ask yourself what you have got out of this relationship in the past ten years. It’s time you face up to the hypocrisy of the situation. Any relationship that is built on deceit and lies can give you peace or happiness. Step out the comfort zone that you have created. Life will seem better and you might even find someone new. *
I am a 22 years old and in love with a boy one year younger to me. I have completed my physiotherapy but he is still studying. My mom and dad think he is not good enough for me but I want to marry him. Please tell me what to do. I admire the fact that you are asking for advice but in this case I have to agree with your parents. The boy is too young for marriage, though age has nothing to do with love. I always believe that emotional maturity is what is most important, but you must realise that marriage is a social situation. You should continue with your work, meantime your friend can study and in a couple of years if you are still feeling the same way about each other, you can formalise your relationship. *
I am married in the early 30’s with two children. My husband and I agreed on the open marriage concept. I am having relationship with this younger guy for the past three years. My husband’s life is his own. I am not supposed to question it. Recently I found out my friend is cheating on me. When I questioned him about it he denied. Now I find it hard to believe anything he says. I am unhappy and do not know how to deal with it. You are responsible for your mess. It’s a wonder you could have ever been happy in such a situation. You are rather naïve about relationships. If you think living a life of duplicity and convincing yourself that you are happy in it, is really not a healthy way of living. Ask yourself why are you dealing with two equally unhealthy relationships. You seem to have no commitment from either of the men in your life. Make yourself steady enough within you to be able to handle a good strong relationship. This alone can give you happiness. |
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Rakhi time
is gift time!
For sisters
* How much: Rs 12,000 Check out: Samsaara, Taj Shopping Arcade *
Women love flowers. And if it is the stylish stainless steel, moon shaped flower vase? You can’t imagine the elegance it can add to her room and life. How much: Rs 2,600, without flower arrangement, Rs 4,100, with flower arrangement. Check out: Art d’inox *
How much: Rs 4,995 Check out: Samsaara, Taj Shopping Arcade *
Candles are soothing, calming and fashionable. But without a stand? Naah! An ethnic candle stand for the daintiest of her candles with Feng-Shui signs to bring loads of good luck. How much: Rs 500 Check out: The Tiny Shop *
How much: Rs 2,500-10,000 Check out: Ebony, Empire Stores, Nautica, Benetton, Adidas * How much: Rs 3,480 Check out: The Tiny Shop *
Vases — wooden, ceramic, glass, metal with gold finish How much: Rs 199-5,000 Check out: Ebony, Home Store, Furniture Mall *
If your sister’s a Vaastu-freak, nothing can beat gifting her these Zen Signs from Vietnam. Depicting natural elements like fire and earth, these wooden, golden-plated symbols promise to bring positive energy vibes in her life. How much: Rs 5,000 Check out: Home Store *
She might not be a gizmo-freak, a silken mobile holder with intricate embroidery and coloured stones can definitely lend class to her cell. How much: Rs 78-100 Check out: Wraps’rus, Ebony, Home Store *
Perk up your sister’s style by gifting her some purses and wallets, which match with her fav outfits. How much: Rs 200-5,000 Check out: Da Milano, Pink ‘n’ Peach, Ebony, Whistles, Sparkles *
Do girls ever get tired of jewellery? Some sleek, wearable jewellery from D’ Dmas, Gili, Sparkles, Cyanus or Nirvana remains the best bet. Silver can also look chic. How much: Rs 2,500-2 lakhs Check out: Ebony, Sec 17, Silver Creations, Silver Haze
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Scarf by Satya Paul. Inspired by various moods and unique stories of women that will make your sis not only feel special but unique. Available in a dancing lady and standing lady form. How much: Rs 895 Check out: Satya Paul, The Taj *
Limited editon Raza scarf designed by the famous painter. The scarf is done in geometrical patterns and is inspired by real life stories. How much: Rs 12,000 Check out: Satya Paul, Taj shopping arcade
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How much: Rs 3,795 Check out: Hidesign, Taj Shopping Arcade *
Zoa suede leather bag in red and brown with leather straps. The latest and bestseller by the brand has a contemporary western look and is spacious with many pockets. How much: Rs 2,995 Check out: Hidesign, Taj Shopping Arcade
For brothers
* How much: Rs 3,995 Check out: Satya Paul, Taj Shopping Arcade *
A tie with a cause. If your bro feels for animals, especially for the king, then gift this ‘Save the Tiger’ tie by Satya Paul. How much: Rs 2,500 Check out: Satya Paul, Taj Shopping Arcade *
How much: Rs 750 Check out: The Tiny Shop *
Boys will be boys and could anything please your bro more than bar accessories. Pick up a wooden bottle holder or chic bar accessories (inclusive of opener, wine chillers, trays, cork openers and cocktail mixers) in stainless steel. How much: Rs 5,000 Check out: Dream Home Store *
With metro-sexual men falling in love with cosmetics, gifting an exotic perfume seems a good enough idea. CK, Bvlgari, Burberry, Nautica, Azzaro and Davidoff perfumes and Eau de toilettes make swish gifts. How much: Rs 2,500-11,000 Check out: Ebony, Nautica, Empire Stores, Benetton, Adidas *
If your bro loves to flaunt some flashy style, swarovsky-studded shades can be an ideal gift. Who says that men don’t love jewels? How much: Rs 3,000- 10,000 Check out: Ebony, Weldon Opticals, Pink and peaches *
How much: Rs 795 Check out: Art d’ inox |
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HAYWIRE
It is not the best of times to be without a Bhai. Nah, not the one who kills. The one who thrills. With gifts, goodies and all things groovy to cement a bond that’s now less about protection and more about goodly profusion – Raksha Bandhan. Being brotherless, especially at this time of the year, is injurious to the health of one’s lachrymose glands. Either they’re deprived from discharging misty streams at the sounds of sweet sentimentality emanating from FM channels on that day, simply because there’s no Big Brother or small to cry for, or, the glands plunge into a state of spate at this very lack of male sibling. Dam those teary tributaries, either ways. Sigh! Wish one too could boast: Mere paas bhai hai. Of course, in these times of celebrations going too commercial, this lament may stem less from brotherly deprivation and more from a denial of the accompanying bonanza. Blame it on the marketing maharajahs hard selling rakhis and gifts any sis would die for, and tie for. Wow, all those Satya Paul drapes with bold palettes that may thread their way into sisterly wardrobes, courtesy fat fraternal wallets. And those diamonds whose mega-watt caratage may come riding on the credit-worthiness of indulgent brotherhood. Enough to make it a bond for which any sis would love to Tie Another Day. But not all creatures born brotherless are given to laments. The enterprising among the sibling disadvantaged make good through nurture what isn’t dispensed by nature. The answer: Adoption. Enter, the ‘rakhi bhais’. That ubiquitous breed whose co-option into brotherly roles may be governed more by sense than sensibility. Their suitability in the scrutiny by the prospective sisterhood may rest upon three broad factors: jerks, perks and works. Some boys may qualify for the threads of bonding, or bondage, simply for their nuisance value. Best to assign protectionist duties to all those jerks who’re potential mischief-makers but don’t have potential to make it as beaus. There are others who may be proffered the band of bhaichara for the numerous perks they can provide: access to all those hot hunks who they’re friends with, huge bank balances to support sisterly extravagances and what not. Last but not the least to make it to this artificially engineered brotherly tag are the ones with utilitarian credentials. They’re the guys who’re only too glad to run errands and carry out good works for the fair sex, even if the affections they earn in return are merely sisterly in nature. Arre bhai, isn’t bonding about relative gains, after all?
chetnabanerjee@tribunemail.com |
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Hey c’mon, be a sport
You have a kewl (cool, as they spell it now), teenage, happening brother. He is the rather fussy type (most bros are) and a pack of assorted chocolate, a branded T-shirt or cologne is not the kind of gift he looks forward to. Run through this offbeat list ...
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Fairness products have invaded our lives, including that of your brother. If your brother is the hesitant type, gift him a glowing complexion and he will never be able to thank you enough. *
It’s a day when your brother can’t really throw tantrums. So, grab the oppurtunity and hand the stuntman a helmet — gift-wrapped and all. He can’t say no to you! And if you are really skilful, you could even extract a promise out of him that he would keep it strapped on! Sturdy basic protective headgear is easily available and can be jazzed up with attractive stickers. Do not miss out on the Ferrari and Harley Davidson duplicates. *
For your fitness freak brother, a good gym or fitness club subscription is perfect. That way, he’ll remember you every morning! *
There are chances he will crib over this girlie gift, unless he is the metrosexual dude. Get him an appointment at a day spa. Let scented candles and aromatic oils work magic on him. You never know he might like the exotic indulgence. *
Your copy of Cosmo reaches you after being read and re-read by your brother. How about gifting him an annual subscription? *
He smokes when parents are not around. A Zippo lighter could be just the thing he has been looking for. This is a gift with a statutory warning. *
An artificial stud, or may be in silver, gold or diamond would help him grab all the attention from the opposite sex as he vrooms up and down the gehri route.
More gifts under Rs 1,000
* How much: Rs 950 Check out: Art d’ inox *
A Z-clock made of steel. It oozes class. How much: Rs 750 Check out: Art d’ inox *
It’s raining dresses in town, you’ve got to believe us. In case you are fashion-challenged, here’s a hint... Get your teenage sis a polka tunic or teeny-weeny chiffon dress. For your elder sister, you could grab some nice classy branded dresses (with the sale season at its peak, you’ll get handsome discounts) How much: Rs 400 onwardsCheck out: Just Casuals, Shelly’s, Suavasa, Polka, Fab India, Wills Lifestyle, Allen Solly, Benetton, Pepe and Madam. |
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Coffee break With high-end coffee bars across the city further jacking up the prices of mochas and cappuccinos, it is no more the “hot favourite” drink of so many youngsters savouring good life in the varsity and college campuses. Walk into one of the coffee bars in the afternoon, and you will actually find the regulars largely missing. In their place, you find casual visitors on comfy sofas and chairs. Oh yes, they are there sitting across the table discussing business over coffee cups, but the daily crowd is gradually slipping away. Around three years ago, the coffee bars had taken the city by storm. The concept was new. Rather, it was something the residents — so used to South Indian coffee — had until then only heard off, or at the most seen in Hollywood flicks. To top it all, you could go in for the hot stuff without burning a hole in your pocket. In fact, you could chill out by sitting back in comfortable chairs in the cool air-conditioned environs of coffee bars, listen to some real good music wafting out of the impressive speakers, and enjoy life while sipping coffee. All this for as little as Rs 25! “Oh yes, that’s what you had to pay for a nice cinnamon flavoured coffee on the rocks,” says Deepak Sharma, a second year post-graduation student. “You could rather walk out of the bar with take-away coffee for as less as Rs 13”. No wonder, the response was more than encouraging. In no time, coffee giants opened more than a single joint in the city. Some even tied up with local hotels to open up additional
outlets. “As popularity rose, prices spiralled,” rues Punjab and Haryana High Court advocate-cum-frequenter Anil Pal Singh Shergill. “The cost of take-away coffee soon increased to Rs 20 and now it has crossed the Rs 30 mark. Even cold coffee, now costing as much as Rs 45, is fast slipping out of a common student’s reach. To make matters worse, some of those special coffees are costing not less than Rs 75.” Shergill and his pals are now thinking of taking a break from exotic coffee and go back to the real South Indian stuff. “The taste is good and the stuff is reasonably priced. I see no harm in the policy of back to the real stuff”. That’s serious! How are the coffee people looking at it? “Well, we really cannot help it,” says Sumeet Sharma. In the coffee business for over a decade, he says: “The overheads are increasing. Jacking up the prices is the only option”. Well folks, that’s sad! Just when people were getting used to it, the coffee is turning sour because of rising prices. |
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Date@50 Dad has kept his promise and hiked your pocket money, but then pocket money is just never enough. And life on the campus spells a burgeoning list of needs, wants and wishes. Hanging around at the coffee shops, frequent trips to F.R., fancy handsets every second day, and more. Now, if on top of this list you have a girlfriend/boyfriend to accommodate, you are doomed. Holding on to a relation when the economy is so bad (you see, inflation and all) is disastrous and unthinkable. Hmm…worry not, for there are places where you can go for a date for as little as say 50 bucks. Follow us to discover the affordable (cheap if you may call), cool and happening food date options.
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Kind: Coffee Place: Nescafe counter, outside the University library You eat: Rs 5 for coffee, Rs 4 for tea You spend: Rs 8-10 Etc: Biscuits and namkeens for as li’l as Rs 1-1.50 per piece USP: Open 24 hours *
Kind: North Indian Place: Stop & Stare, opposite Arts college-10 You eat: Channa chawal, rajma chawal, curry chawal, stuffed paranthas, channa kulcha, noodles You spend: Rs 16-27 Etc: Ganne ka juice, ice cream, bhutta and moongphali USP: Clean, green and open *
Kind: Chinese Place: Yo China-9 You eat: All in a box - noodles, manchurian and spring rolls You spend: Rs 20-45 USP: Order, pick and vanish. No chances of a getting caught by a spying neighbour. *
Kind: Dessert Place: Softy Corner-17 You eat: Rs 25 for double scoop- black current, mango, pineapple, chocolate and more You spend: Rs 25-50 Etc: Popcorns, French fries, cold coffee, lemonade and lassi USP: Variety, choices and hygiene *
Kind: Snacks and more Place: Talwars-15 You eat: Chana kulcha, rajma chawal, kheer, pizza You spend: Rs 15-30 Etc: Gulab jamun, rasmalai, kulfi and tikki, USP: Next to the campus, grab a quick bite between your classes *
Kind: Drinks Place: Juices and Shakes shops-10 You eat: Shakes in 13 flavours and juices in 5 flavours You spend: Rs 25-50 Etc: Maggi, patty, burgers, sandwiches USP: It’s on the gehri route
purva@tribunemail.com |
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Pull out Rs 1,200 joining fee & Rs 300 per month and learn minus the teachers After braving the rough seas for almost 14 years, ex-Indian Navy Commander Pradeep Dutt logged himself on to computer technology by joining multinational brain-machine organisations. But eager to open a new document in the folder of communicative skills, he is now docking in the city for anchoring a learning movement that started in the US, way back in 1924. The Noida-based commander, now working as the marketing and training director with an information technology firm, is all set to bring to the city the ‘Postmasters clubs’ that help you learn without being instructed. These ‘experimental learning’ clubs with no teachers or instructors help you in rearranging ideas and building confidence, in an environment that’s essentially non-threatening, positive and supportive. For the purpose of launching Postmasters clubs in Chandigarh and Patiala from October, he has already tied up with Sector 8 based ‘well-being and personality development expert’ Harmeet Kaur. Wife of Punjab's former director-general of police Sarabjit Singh, she has been a teacher with YPS—Mohali and the British Library's resource person, besides being associated with multinational giants. Back to Postmasters, Dutt says, “The intention is to upgrade much more than your interactive skills by giving you confidence to convey what you wish to say in the best possible manner. The clubs also aim at improving your basic knowledge about the working of a language — be it English, Chinese, Hindi or even Punjabi.” As of now, the organisation has 11,000 clubs in 90 odd countries. Out of these, India alone has over 60, the first being set up at Bangalore a decade ago. In Delhi, the first club came up in the US-embassy, but had to be moved out after the 9/11 incident. Associated with the movement for almost five years now in the capacity of clubs’ president, the 50-something commander says, “A minimum of 20 people get together and initiate a club. Once it comes into being, the members are assigned roles. One becomes the postmaster of the day, while the word master. A third becomes the joke master. It continues…” You too can join the clubs if you are 18-plus. All you have to do is pay Rs 1,200 joining fee and Rs 300 per month. Claiming that the system works more or less on no-profit-no-loss basis, he adds, “ Seventy per cent of the collections are forwarded to Postmasters International. The remaining go into the starter's kit, writing material and even refreshments.” Sounds informative, guys. |
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No longer Fancy a Piccata or does it sound Greek? Well it is! But wait, don’t pull out that foreign language dictionary just yet. While Greek becomes the latest buzzword for the city with the earthy Piccata or the elegant Souvlaki coming uptown, these tongue-twisters are not here to beguile your intellect, they are after your hearty appetite. And where are they? At the Bedouin Lounge in the midst of the gracefully verdant Whispering Willows resort at Zirakpur. The owner-duo, Abhay and Priya Jagat, are now rummaging through Greece and adding condiments to their culinary repertoire. So the menu, this time, has been given a 60 per cent face-lift. This means that while some favourites remain (Creole style chicken with parsley rice and the.Chicken Kadra amongst others), there is a lot of Greek fare to dig into. Sample this, Lamb Souvlaki, lamb chunks marinated in paprika, cinnamon, honey and olive oil, skewered and char-grilled and served with pickled olives or the Baked Chicken Hydra. Plenty for the vegetarians to hurrah through too—parcels of cabbage and spinach stuffed with exotic vegetables and nuts, a medley of mushrooms, pastas and risottos . To wrap it all up, it will suffice to say Greek is here to stay and with it goes the term, ‘sounds like Greek’, for you may just be eating it. |
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Matka chowk For many big city folks, traffic jams are a part of life. Growing up in Calcutta, we accepted traffic jams just as easily as baby turtles take to water. Traffic jam time was a built-in factor when it came to reaching any destination in the city. These jams were a matter deeply considered when one set out to give examinations, appear for an interview and catch a train or plane. In college, we used them as handy excuses for missed lectures, incomplete submissions and even no-show for library book returns! Traffic jams garnered a huge fraternity of people bound together by similar suffering, a good sense of helplessness and resignation but also an undercurrent of ‘hum honge kamyab ek din’ like faith. I remember jams that have allowed my brother-in-law to run out to the nearest sweet shop and bring us hot and fresh jalebis and kachoris. Even after we savoured all the food and looked for a way to clean our sticky fingers, our car had not moved an inch. Chandigarh folks are really new to this. When they face a traffic jam, they just don’t have a clue as to how to handle it. On my way to a doctor’s appointment the other day, I ran into a sudden traffic jam on Madhya Marg. People’s first reaction seemed to be honking. Once they got tired of doing that, they devoted all their energies to —- inching – grabbing every conceivable inch of empty space that came in view and in the process, making the jam even worse. I was afraid the man in the next car was going to crush my side mirror as he was gritting his teeth very hard and trying to squeeze into a non-existent space next to mine! A few of them decided to escape the jam by running over the left divider into the feeder roads. A few big vehicles managed to successfully do that, some others got stuck adding to the chaos. Some decided to perpetually follow an oscillating pattern of periodic shifting from lane to lane. Amidst so much hulchul, I started to feel quite ill. I missed those self-elected traffic commandeers, that we had in Calcutta —- people – often taxiwallas, who would jump out of the car, install themselves right in the middle of a behemoth jam and start directing traffic. When I had almost given up, things started to move. Our Chandigarh traffic policemen had by then assumed control over the Matka Chowk —- the jam dissipated so fast that for a minute I thought it might have an optical illusion! Looking ahead, we might need some serious training in this. |
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August When you drive far, pull off the road every hour and walk around your car two or three times. — Dr Ravinder Chadha
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