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Pedal pushers Yo ho! GREEN is the way to go, on the road too. If the city’s Gen X sweared by swanky cars and stylish bikes, zipping across the lanes, the Gen Y believes in looking beyond the smoky maze. So when Arjun Wadwalkar, a Sector 15 resident, got admission into mechanical engineering at PEC, the first thing he did was to opt for a green way to commute: Yo biking. ‘Cycling was one option, but given my gruelling schedule, it didn’t seem feasible. I needed something which gave me all the pluses of cycling minus the pedal effort. The electric bike fitted the bill perfectly,’ says Arjun, who loves flaunting his Yo bike. ‘For starters, it may seem as an unconventional mode of transportation. But trust me, it’s terrific, especially for short journeys. We have to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. And given the way the petrol and diesel prices are climbing, commuting is becoming more and more expensive. I’m glad, I just shell out a fraction of what my peers do on daily transportation,” he grins. Agrees Ashok Garg of Sector 47, who has four electric bikes at home. ‘ Initially, I bought two Yo bikes for my kids. But when I realised how cost-effective they were, I got two more, for my wife and myself. I commute everyday to Panchkula for work and save around one rupee per kilometer in comparison to my colleagues who come by a scooter or a bike. Low on maintenance, one has to be careful only about charging these,’quips Garg. According to a recent study conducted by A.C. Nielsen, the e-bike market in India stands at 5 lakh units and there are around 10 players in the field. “It’s the thing of the future,” says Nisha Nanda, manager of a showroom in Sector 38, who claims to sell 40-50 units per month. The trend is catching on fast, especially after the global escalation in fuel prices. “These bikes are already a huge hit in the USA, Europe and China,” she says. The e-bikes look like conventional two-wheelers but they run on electricity derived from batteries . Apart from Electrotherm India Pvt Ltd, Avon and Hero manufacture a majority of them. The price, which starts at Rs 17,000 and goes up to Rs 35,000, is largely determined by the weight, quality and battery type. “But since a majority of these vehicles do not go beyond 25 km/hr, are less than 25 cc and gearless, one does not need any registration or licence to drive them. This is the catch. A majority of parents are finding it a perfect vehicle for their 15-16 year olds,” says Avon dealer Sandeep Kathuria. “I don’t have a driving licence and my job requires me to travel at least 20 km daily. The e-bike is my perfect partner,” gushes Sonia Sharma of Sector 46. Even the government seems to be pushing their sales, realising their immense potential in ensuring a cleaner, greener environment. A subsidy of 15 per cent is being offered by the UT administration on electric bikes. “So far, over 150 persons have availed of the scheme,” says an official. “With an area of just 144 square km, we have the highest per capita cars in the country and also rank the highest on the list of high-living index cities.” But what good is it ? As youngsters we need to do something about it,”says Bhavneet, a student of GNKSSS-30, who is part of the eco-friendly drivers’ club. mona@tribunemail.com Green Gear
E-bikes are the hottest buys in the cities with a cycling culture all over Asia, Europe and America. Even cities like Paris, where biking culture had died down, the sale of e -bikes is picking up. This growing demand is fuelled both by the rising gas prices and word-of-mouth publicity about the electric bike’s new popularity. The e-bikes are the hottest buys in the cities with a cycling culture all over Asia, Europe and America. Even cities like Paris, where biking culture had died down, the sale of e -bikes is picking up. This growing demand is fuelled both by the rising gas prices and word-of-mouth publicity about the electric bike’s new popularity. |
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After promoting cycling in the city, the Administration has now shifted its focus on all vehicles using alternate sources of energy, which includes Yo bikes. It started with giving 15 per cent subsidy on all battery-operated vehicles. “And the response to Yo bikes is overwhelming,” says IT, Science and Technology director Manjeet Brar. This will not just reduce the burden on natural resourecs, but also lower the pollution level. And City Beautiful does have an advantage. It’s small and hence can give an impetus to cycling and biking. “Most of the towns in Europe are small in size which makes cycling popular and also feasible there. This is one advantage we have in our city. Owing to the shorter distances, there is a good possibility that such activities will pick among the youngsters,” says Brar. Advantage e-bikes w Eco-friendly w
Easy on the wallet w
Low maintenance w
High cool quotient |
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ONE man who can truly be recognized as the voice of India at Beijing 2008 Olympic is Vijender Singh, the 23-year-old boxer, who catapulted India to the world boxing map by winning a bronze medal. A special appearance on Amul Star Voice of India saw this feisty sportsman enjoy a musical battle with the participants knocking him down with their power packed musical punches. Vijendra Singh was assured a musical treat as participants tried to impress their gurus- the awesome threesome -Ismail Darbar, Monty Sharma and Sukhwinder Singh, as the show celebrated Teacher’s Day. The evening saw Ritisha, the voice of Bangalore, mesmerising the audiences with her rendition of Aye dil itna bata de while the very flamboyant Ravi, from Delhi, looked nervous as he performed Chhod Aaye Hum. Sayantani, the voice from Orrisa, sang Tu Hi Re beautifully and expressed her love for the young hero Vijender by hugging him. Saptaparna sang Ooh La La La and brought Vijender Singh on the stage to match steps with her. Zakir from Chattisgarh who is known for his love for classical music sang Duniya Ke Rakhwale and Vijender was so impressed that he couldn’t stop himself from coming on the stage and hugging Zakir for his courage and talent. Changing gear Come next week and Zee TV is re-launching their show Jhoome Jiya Re, which was earlier shown on Zee Next. The show revolves around a girl Jiiya, played by Preeti Amin, who is trying to prove herself inspite of repeated failures. Someone who invites the negative powers of fate and is forever lost and stumbling even amidst the most familiar surroundings, Jiiya Aggrawal is the pretty, girl-next-door with a careless charm that will make any young man’s heart flutter. She lives for her family and thinks that her raison d etre is dance. Commenting on the re-launch of the show on Zee TV, Ajay Bhalwankar, programming head of the channel, said, “Jhoomein Jiya Re is a story of an ordinary girl who fights the circumstances to prove herself in the society. Such subjects are inspirational for our audiences and also hold a social message. We had launched this show on Zee Next but over a period realized that this theme is more of a Zee TV genre.” The show will join the afternoon band with Rakhi and Saath Saath. So those who missed watching the show on Zee Next, here is a chance to catch the episodes from start. |
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I’m lovin it SHE is the coy bahu of Dulhann on Zee TV who is willing to go to all extent for the love of her life. Meet Divyanka Tripathi, who gets candid with Lifestyle on her dream role, Bollywood calling and much more…. Dream role: Oh! So many of them…I love Kajol and her every character inspires me. I would love to play her characters in movies like Fanaa, U Me aur Hum, DDLJ, Jab Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya. Another favourite would be playing Nandini of Hum Dil Chuke Sanam. Bollywood calling: I don’t think I’m prepared for Bollywood as yet. When I joined television, I came with a bang. I want the same thing when I enter Bollywood. Motto in life: Take life as it comes. Inspiration: My parents, my sisters, my elders and actors like Aamir Khan for the kind of roles he does. Fitness regime: My fitness mantra consists of drinking lots and lots of water, taking lots of rest and try to avoid the frenzied schedules so that the work is more paced out. Lastly, I try to stick to meditation. Favourite food: I’m a big foodie. I love to have lassi, dahi, puri, pani puri and especially home cooked food. Though I’m a real bad cook, just recently I have started cooking khichadi, rajma and gobi. Day off: I simply just laze around or head to some resort to chill out, relax and spend some peaceful time with my friends. |
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Tadka Bikini bother AS the Outrageous singer and actress Sherlyn Chopra prepares to embark upon her first promotional tour for her new album Dard-e-Sherlyn, her show organisers are panicking. Starting this Saturday, the newbie will begin her tour spanning seven prominent cities of India namely Delhi, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Pune, Vizag, Hyderabad and Mumbai. But her organisers are losing sleep over the bold and flamboyant girl wearing her trademark diamond-encrusted bikini top and golden hot pants that she has famously worn in the new super hit video of her remix album. They have been considering stringent security measures at all her promotional events across the country. Apart from expecting trouble from unruly crowds due to the skimpy attire, the organisers also feel it is very risky for her to wear the bikini top as it is actually studded with a couple of real diamonds on the sides. Now she plans to fully utilise the next few weeks to aggressively promote her album. |
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Keira going duchess
Knightley said the costumes made for her role were really very elegant, but insisted that they were not comfortable at all. “The costumes were fantastic but not terribly comfortable - you can’t breathe in those things,” the Daily Express quoted her as saying. The Ex Effect
Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus’ hit single 7 Things is reportedly about what she hates in her ex-boyfriend Nick Jonas. The video’s director, Brett Ratner, revealed that Cyrus had discussed the song with him and had even told him how much the song, which she co-wrote, means to her, and that it was about an ex-boyfriend. Even though Ratner refused to reveal who the ex-lover, to whom these words were written “Your friends, they’re jerks. When you act like them, just know it hurts,” was, he gave away a detailed clue that the song is about Jonas. Cyrus had herself recently admitted, after months of unconfirmed speculation, that she dated Jonas for two years. “She had me come out to her house,” the Daily Telegraph quoted Ratner as saying. “She started showing me all of her personal items from under her bed that her ex-boyfriend gave her. The supermodel’s steadiness has earned her a huge reputation in the tough world of modelling and she is the subject of a sexy new spread in Arena magazine. With topping the models’ earning list for several years, she has been the face of virtually every fashion campaign that matters from Christian
Dior, Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbanna, Versace, Givenchy, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, and Louis
Vuitton. Bundchen, who is known throughout the beauty industry as an astute businesswoman, last year, insisted on being paid in any other currency but the US dollar. “Kate was jumping about asking
to model.” The Sun quoted a source, as saying. “You’d have thought it was her first time, but the crowd knew this was something special,” the source added. Moss grabbed a top hat and a cane and hit the stage watched by her beau Jamie Hince and the audience. Gossip frontwoman Beth Ditto hosting the show also paraded with Moss in a clown suit. |
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Well meaning A
play comes alive on stage only when all elements are stringed together — characters, plot, diction, song and the underlining message. But it is mostly the perfect harmonisation of the concept and expression thataccords merit to the production. This is the opinion of actor-director Vijay Kumar. The astounding success of his solo play Ham Bihar Mein Chunaoo Larh Rahe Hain, which ran into 336 shows veritably proves his point. A proponent of folk theatre culture, Vijay passed out from the National School of Drama in 1994 before undergoing training from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTTI), Pune in 1996. Yet another course from the Central School of Speech and Drama, London, proved to be an asset for his acting and directorial assignment of over 40 plays. Vijay has participated in all national festivals and the Asia Art Festival in Japan. In city to stage Prem Chand’s Godaan at the National Theatre Fest at Panchkula, he talks about the social relevance of the play and claims Munshi Prem Chand as the literary genius. Shuttling between Patna and Mumbai, as one of the directors of Manch Theatre ensemble, Vijay feels the professional theatre in Mumbai is all about pleasure and money. However, the theatre of protest being practised in states like his home state Bihar, relates to the common man, projecting the social economical or political ethos and thus becomes meaningful and satisfying. “My birth and grooming in the pastoral environment has been a boon for me and with mastery over dialects like magadhi, maithali, my plays have a better reach out.” Contradicting the general view that performing artists can bring changes in a country’s affairs, he believes that they can simply accelerate the momentum. Political bosses remain our social guardians. For politicians, at the helm of affairs art is a bekaar naach gaana but at times when it is useful for them it is the ‘divine bliss’. But that does not deter Vijay. “As a devout theatre practitioner, I will continue to contribute my best to this genre,” sign off Vijay Kumar. lifestyletribune@gmail.com |
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Votes, vodka & vouchers Resist temptation
— Neha Vohra, student, MA Psychology Wasteful wooing
— Sukrant, student of mass communication Gift trap
—Chandan Nagi, a student of engineering |
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studio Pammy Kaul Pore problem Beauty is indeed more than skin deep! Or, how will you explain those clogged pores that hit teens and adults alike. Your dream of having that flawless skin could have become a reality only if clogged pores did not put a dent in your complexion. But cheer up. To retain that beautiful, youthful glow which nature once bestowed upon you is not a complicated process, nor is it extremely expensive. Research has opened up whole new vistas in skin care. There are various products enhanced with different vitamins to even out the skin tone, remove dark patches, even out the skin tone or even turn back the clock! It can get downright confusing with so many different products flooding the market. If you are unsure about the products stick to treatments that mother nature offers. Clog-free
w Tomato contains oil-absorbing acid and naturally exfoliates your skin. Treat your skin with an overripe tomato juice by crushing it. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. w
Dip a slice of cucumber into witch hazel. Rub it on your face gently. It tightens the pores. w
To clean and condition your skin, take a handful of mint leaves. Boil them for about five minutes over simmering fire. Steam your face with it. Let it sit on your face for 10 minutes. Then wipe it with a warm towel. Apply a toner to put the moisture back and slather
moisturiser. w
Lemon juice mixed with warm water when applied over the face does wonder to your complexion. I am 30 plus and have fine lines and wrinkles. The youthful dewy look is dying down. Please suggest supplements that can help me to have a flawless skin. Simran Skincare becomes increasingly important as you move from 30s to 40s and beyond. You can keep your skin flawless by cleansing, toning and moisturising. Eating healthy food improves your appearance. Add lots of fresh fruit and vegetables to your daily diet. Get seven to nine hours of sleep. Try to sleep on your back and use a satin pillow case to prevent creases on your skin. To neutralise the damage from free radicals, add Vitamin-E, Vitamin-C for the formation of collagen and selenium to help you fight the free radicals thus reducing signs of ageing. Add Omega 3 and 6 (fish oils), Vitamin-B to keep your skin and hair looking younger. Start caring for your skin today, no matter whatever the age. The sooner you start the better your skin will begin to look its best. Pammy Kaul is a UK-based beauty therapist. |
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Bon
Appetit If you're a novice in the field of baking, allow me to give you some free advice. Don't let the 'oven ogre' petrify you. Try, try, try again, and many a delicacy shall roll out at your command! Like everything else, it may involve a series of hit and trial attempts but don't run out of ingredients or patience while you are experimenting, and some day the much coveted reward shall be yours, Amen! A few thumb rules are to make sure your oven shows the right temperature. Always bake in the centre of the oven, never too close to the top or the bottom shelf. The former will scorch the surface of your baking and the latter may result in soggy, uncooked centres. If your area is prone to current-fluctuation, invest in a stabiliser. Tangy lemon cake
w 1 cup butter, softened w
1 cup grain sugar w
4 large eggs w
1 tsp vanilla essence w
Zest of 1 lemon w
2 cups maida w
2 tsp baking powder w
1/4 tsp salt w
1/4 cup lemon juice Method w Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. w
To prepare zest, lightly peel or grate the skin from a lemon and chop it finely. w Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Let it cool, then gently remove from the tin. Decorate with thinly sliced lemon peel. w The same batter can be used to bake tiny cupcakes.
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Oscar-nominee Keira Knightley has revealed that the dresses she had to wear while shooting her new film The Duchess left her gasping. The
film features her in the role of the 18th century socialite Georgiana Cavendish,
the fashion-loving Duchess of Devonshire whose life has often been compared with
Princess Diana’s.
Brazilian supermodel Gisele
Bundchen, known as the world’s raunchiest model, has now been given a new label—world’s sexiest businesswoman.
Bundchen, 27, who rakes in 35 million dollars a year, as per the new Forbes list of the top 15 richest supermodels, has “more contracts than any other model on the planet,” according to
Forbes.com.
Supermodel Kate Moss left the audience dumfounded when she walked the ramp after five years. The model, who was one of the audiences at the launch bash for fashion label House of
Blueeyes, at London’s Bush Hall, all of a sudden decided to walk the ramp.
“There is a need to draw a line between how much is too much during the elections. Gifts and goodies are absolutely not called for. Students shouldn’t be lured to vote. It is an independent decision and one shouldn’t be pushed into doing so by showering them with gifts. Elections should happen in a free and fair manner without any hiccups. I am not in favour of parties throwing parties to garner votes. Students too shouldn’t attend such parties.
“Elections is a money game, it is no longer a voicing of or standing up for real issues by the students. Besides, the whole idea of throwing parties for students and wooing them with gifts is simply a waste of money. If the leaders have enough cash to splurge, why don’t they start an NGO and do something, which can help people. There is a need to demarcate dos and don’ts for elections. Most importantly, the students should refrain from attending any lavish parties thrown by leaders. ”
“It goes without saying that politics is a dirty game and leaders will go to all extents to win. Even if it means spending money on goodies and parties. This will happen, if not blatantly then in a covert manner. Now, the onus is on the students to see that parties and gifting are discouraged. A line should be drawn on what should and shouldn’t be done during the elections. Discourage exchanging of gifts or going out with leaders for parties.”