Between all those Sat Sri Akals and dhanyavads, the speeches that make our campus netas win huge rounds of applause have seasoned writers putting in a lot of thought and doing lots of homework. Unending bhashans are passé, so is a vocabulary smacking of shudh Hindi or goori Punjabi. Student leaders, like our parliamentarians and political heavyweights, now prefer lacing their speeches with light humour and poetry to catch the audience's attention.

And the element of novelty in the speeches is brought about by party workers who often stay behind the scenes. Here, we get chatting to some speech gurus who, over the years, have rendered freshness to the oh-so-boring bhashans.

Vijay Chauhan, a research scholar in the university who has been writing speeches for student leaders from the past five years, gives us an insight into the evolution of the campus campaign talk.

A student of political science and a supporter of SOPU, he feels a speech should be written to match the personality of a student leader. "It is not just about writing an essay and handing it over to the leader. In fact, it requires a lot of observation. If the leader is not an aggressive orator, the speech has to be very powerful, but if he is good at public speaking, a simple speech too would make a difference," he opines.

So, what else are the basics he keeps in mind while doing this important work? "An overview of so many things helps me write down a good speech. There are 70 per cent girl students on the campus, which makes it vital to mention some issues in a speech that caters to them and this holds for other issues as well. The logic behind every issue raised has to be substantiated."

For Sunny Bhardwaj, who year after year has taken on the responsibility of writing speeches for INSO, opines that oratory without the essential masala are useless, "Hinglish with a tinge of Punjabi sets the ball rolling for us as well as the student audience." Talking about the past and present trends, he adds, "Five years back speeches had a prominent political flavour, in which heavy words like vidhyarthiyon and samasyaen were used. Today, they are student friendly with jokes as a part of them."

He also believes that student politics is more volatile today, "Students are more aware now and eager to get their queries answered and conscious of this fact. I try not to leave any puzzles in the speech. Unlike a few years back, when I used to write speeches without any participation from the leaders, nowadays, they all sit together and advise on what is a must in a speech."

Ditto for Navdeep Singh, who has contributed to the same in the last two student elections. He makes sure to be through with his homework before sitting down to assemble words. "For the first few days after the beginning of campaigning, I prefer to attend all student meetings so that I can review the general reaction of the people. I sit among students to get their feedback and know the problems they face. Then I write speeches accordingly." He modifies the text of a speech as per the needs and problems of every department. Ah, and he does not leave out the slangs and idioms which fit so aptly to taunt the rival parties.

With six back-to-back hits in her kitty in the last one year, Katrina Kaif is now the reigning queen of Bollywood. But success has not gone to her head and she still believes in doing her chores herself.

“Katrina has not got carried away by her success. She continues to be herself,” said a source close to the actress.

The source said people were surprised to see the British-born actress carrying her own luggage at an airport even though her chaperones were with her. “Sandhya, Katrina’s secretary, was with her and though she insisted that she’d carry her luggage Katrina just did not allow her to do so! Katrina said, ‘It is my luggage and I will carry it myself’.

“Katrina usually prefers to do her tasks on her own. Success has not spoilt her at all,” added the source.

After wowing audiences in the recently released romantic comedy Singh Is Kinng opposite Akshay Kumar, Katrina has displaced top-rung actors, including Kareena Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra.

Her success story started with Namastey London and continued with Apne, Partner, Welcome, Race and now Singh Is Kinng.

“Katrina has learnt that success and failure are transitory and that one should not get carried away by them. She firmly believes in keeping her head placed on her shoulders,” said the source.

Keira Knightley has suggested that actresses shouldn’t be idolized because they are too ‘crazy’. The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ star insists that young women shouldn’t consider film stars as role models because they will get the wrong idea about how to act in life.

“You have to leave your emotions available to you. Which is why all actresses are crazy and why I don’t particularly think they should be role models,” she told the Big Issue magazine.

The actress also revealed her desire to star in bad films, reports China Daily.
“You never know what is going to happen. You can have the best script, the best everything and the film can still be c**p. Or you can still have c**p people and the film, for some reason, can still be good, “ she said. “So you have to accept that failure is going to happen - and it is going to happen - and I’m going to make shocking films and do really horrendous performances. It won’t be intentional, obviously,” she added.

Victoria Beckham showcased her first fashion collection at New York Fashion Week, which was based entirely upon her own personal style. The collection featured 10 styles based on Posh’s style and but the influence of Roland Mouret, whose dresses she often wears, was visible.

The dresses were made out of fabrics such as silk organza, silk crepe, gazar, taffeta, wool stretch and fine cottons, in a subdued colour palette of black, navy, cream, cobalt and flesh-tone. Each dress is cut, seamed and contoured to within an inch of its hourglass life and features a long pink-gilt zip snaking straight down the centre-back seam.

“Every woman who wears these dresses can have great posture and look great from every angle,” the Telegraph quoted Posh, as saying. The dresses, in sizes 6-14, would be suitable for all ages, she said, singling out Nigella Lawson and Dame Helen Mirren as ideal customers.

The dresses will cost between 600 pounds and 1,900 pounds.

Popular music channel MTV is all set to make three films with the reigning stars of today - Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Aamir Khan. All the three movies will be regular commercial productions to be made on a grand scale, a source at MTV told.

Right now, the actors signed by the channel are busy working in their respective movies. Shah Rukh is currently shooting for Yash Raj Films’ Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Hrithik with home production Kites and Aamir with his much-awaited Ghajini. Since these movies are slated for release later this year, the proposed MTV productions are likely to mount the sets next year. The channel, however, refused to elaborate on it.

MTV India’s past attempt at filmmaking, however, was not encouraging. In 2006, the channel made Ghoom, a 45-minute spoof on Yash Raj Films’ Dhoom, but it bombed at the box-office. — ANI, IANS

Meenakshi Bhojwani, a city’s renowned Radio Jockey (RJ) often finds it amusing that it’s for talking (though creative) that she gets all the bug bucks. “Finger on the lips, every five minutes my teachers used to say and I always had to give in to their unjustified demand,” recalls Meenakshi.

And now look at the contrast: “These days, people request me to go on and on forever.”

It’s not just her but there are many other youngsters from the city who feature in the list of VJs and RJs who have made it big into the glam world, courtesy their gift of the gab. But then, as they say, “It is much more than plain talking. Creativity and voice modulation are indispensable to the job”.

We enquired from them the essentials of being a good broadcaster or RJ. So, what got Meenakshi started off as an RJ? “I have a loud family that just loves to speak a lot,” she quips. Proud of not having taking any formal training for becoming a radio jockey, Meenakshi says, “Participation in debates and declamations during school days helped me develop oration skills.” Next, she feels that one has to be a performer and interesting enough so that listeners don’t switch channels. Her favourite speaker among the present personalities? Sure enough, her vote goes to Laloo Prasad Yadav, “Bring him on radio and I bet everybody will stick to the channel even if he goes on for hours together.”

Pankaj Sharma, another RJ from the city, owes all his success to theatre. “Theatre helps you improve voice modulation and brings out emotions in a better way,” avers Pankaj. He adds: “Today it is important for RJs and VJs to emotionally connect with the audience, one just can’t prepare a speech and deliver lectures. What is required now, is to paint a picture in front of the audience so that they can relate to the speech and get a feel of what’s going on.”

Ayushmann Khuranna, an MTV VJ, prefers to be more pragmatic. “To be an effective orator, one needs to do a lot of preparation. Even if one is a gifted speaker, rehearsal does matter.” But when it comes to anchoring a show, he feels one has to be bring in entertainment, “carefully crafted laughter is the mantra to make a show entertaining, amusing and informative.” An introvert by nature, he believes that it was his extensive participation in theatre, debates and group discussions that made him a good speaker. Sharing his bright thought, he further adds, “To be a good speaker, knowledge is must. You can speak only if you know about it, otherwise it is as good as being dumb.”

For Khushboo Grewal, a VJ with a music channel, it was compering a lot of live shows in the city and participation in theatre that set the stage for her. “From diction to voice clarity to modulation, the extracurricular activities helped me master all,” says Khushboo. A management student, she feels her qualification too has helped her hone oration skills, “It infused in me a lot of confidence which is evident on the show.” So go on, talk your heart out and get paid for it too!

ashima@tribunemail.com

Gone are the days of lazing around and turning pages of a soiled book that you longed to read in the name of hobby. Finding no place in modern life, these time-consuming hobbies like reading book, trekking, listening to music and playing outdoors are out of trend.

And confronting these all so favourite hobbies, is the latest fad of net browsing, orkutting and playing games on computer.

“In today’s competitive world, where people do not have time to catch up with their relatives there is definitely no time to pursue hobbies,” says Richa Taneja, final year student of Chitkara Engineering college.

Talking about the fading concept she says: “The present trend will only change when people realise they are missing on some real things that bond them to real life. And above all hobbies like reading, trekking et al will make a comeback when people will find the need of diversions to keep them going.”

Gagan Lakhanpal, an employee of Sigma in Manimajra says, “Needs replace hobbies. And with the advent of technology there is nothing left that is unexplored. And when people find everything on a click of a keyboard, why would they pursue hobbies.”

Hectic live is another reason people blame for not nurturing hobbies. “Most people don’t have the time to pursue hobbies. People work in shifts these days or work all day in order to up their standards of living. Everyone wants to make money and no one wants to spare time for hobbies, ” says Dilpreet Singh a fresh campus pass-out who is presently working in a call center in Mohali. He adds: “Another reason for the trend of losing on hobbies is, earlier there weren’t as many avenues of entertainment. So, people cultivated hobbies. Today people do not have time and to think what talk of hobbies. It has remained a domain of kids now.”

That’s not about it, go through some of orkut profiles and you wont be amazed to find the section of hobbies lying vacant or filled with things like surfing net, orkuting, chatting et al.

And with a staggering increase of computer literates the day is not far when hobbies would be a thing of the past. But then we have some people who still nurture hobbies. “Finding a hobby is not difficult. It only depends on the individual’s extent of interest. If one schedule’s one’s life there will be enough time for hobbies,” says Sonia Sharma, BA II student of GCG-11.

jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com

To invoke history and tradition, folk or classical, is one thing but to instill it into the mindset of the milieu, one has to make it attractive enough. That can be done only with innovations,”says Balwant Thakur, the theatre activist of international recognition.

Decorated with most prestigious honours and awards that include the National Sangeet Natak Akademi award, Kalanidhi award, Abhinayak, Sapatrishi samman and a national fellowship. In city for staging his play Saiyan Bhaye Kotwal on the concluding day of the National Theatre Festival organised by the NCZCC and the DPR, Haryana.

Back home from an international theatre workshop in Europe, this Jammu-based director comments on the Indian and international theatre.

“Though many national festivals are being organised, there is no ‘national’ theatre as such, because of diverse languages and cultures,” claims Thakur.

The regional theatre, however, represents the ethos of the people but at present is struggling for survival as there is no patronage from either the private or government sector, he rues. “However, the spicy genre of theatre has managed to woo the sponsors, he adds.

A proponent of regional theatre, Balwant is considered the most revered figure in Dogri theatre, who has captured the essence of Dogri culture in his productions like Ghumayee and Bawa Jitto Mahabhoj. These plays, especially Gumayee had made waves in the South.

The Gumayee’s lead female actor Anjali Abrol now plays the main lead in a television serial Raja Ki Ayeegi Baraat, while its lead singer Tania Gupta is now with Suresh Wadekar’s group.

Sharing his recent experience in Europe, Thakur says at least one art form is made a compulsory in schools and colleges over there. “Every institute has cultural societies that include theatre, poetry, video making, oration and public speaking. Here, our students are only burdened with studies’. We need to have a long-term policy to preserve our cultural heritage,” he suggests. Anyone listening?

lifestyletribune@gmail.com

They have done it again. Yet another long long friendship, to be precise18 years long dosti comes to an end in 18 minutes. Brat Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan came to near blows at Katrina Kaif's birthday bash. Split wide open. Itney saal ki dosti ek pal main tut gayi, flashes one of the news channels. And the anchor got down to dissecting what went wrong, where, how and why. So, do we.

How do thick friends fall apart in split seconds? Is it that easy? Are 'girls' the reason behind it or there are bigger issues? What happens when they come face to face at a formal gathering after the split? If the saying 'Friends are forever' to be believed, then how come dostis ends up in a jiffy? We talk to city people to know why do thick friends, who have virtually shared everything in life together, fall apart? What does it take for a friendship to die?

Adds Jaskirat Brar, a city-based young entrepreneur, who after a lot of soul searching, tells us how he broke up with his childhood friend over an issue, which probably we can't understand. He won't name his friend. "I want him to be happy wherever he is," says Jaskirat, trying to avoid an eye contact with us. "He was my bestest friend since kindergarten. We have shared every minute of our life together. We can't see face to face now." What led to the discord, we are still curious. He takes a long breath and then spills the bean, "We decided to pool in money to buy a car, a Benz, and then I felt he was acting smart. I confronted him. And that was it," adds Jaskirat. "I was completely broken and I am sure he too was. I can't understand why two of us never though of sorting out things," he says in a voice full of regrets.

We wonder why? "It is like that only," says Subam Chopra, working with an insurance agency, who hasn't come out of the sadma of losing a childhood friend over a trivial issue. "When I used to hear such stories of friends falling apart, I would wonder how it could happen. I and Satbir were great friends. We shared a bond, as strong as iron. We didn't let girls affect our friendship and then one day, we had an argument over who spends more…" Subam recalls. "I never thought that little hasi mazaak would go that far. It wasn't any formal bye but I could sense the distance between us. And things never got back to normal thereafter." Subam bumps into Satbir at various formal and informal occasions, something that they would rather avoid. "I hate to bump into Satbir. We do greet each other but there 'some' discomfort that makes us uneasy," says Suham, signaling us to end the topic.

Indeed. Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches. Cut to reel life. The recent flick Rock On touches on how long-term friendships go sour. But they patch up in a nice rocking way after many years. Similarly in Dil Chahta hai Aamir and Akshay's friendship goes sour because of a 'woman'. They too patch up after a brief period. Well, there is hope at the end of the tunnel. So, all you people, who have broken up with your friends, make a move. After all you can't let your dost, your buddy go away just like that.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

It's Saturday evening. You are ready and ardently flipping through channels hoping to see the love of your life come out. She does make an appearance, but only to return to her room, confused wheather to wear the blue and the red dress. A familiar scene? If you think the woman in your life takes ages to get ready, you're not alone. A survey by London-based beauty brand Skinlbliss reveals that an average woman spends an astonishing 136 days getting dressed, putting on make-up and doing their hair over her lifetime, enough time for an astronaut to fly to the moon and back 22 times! In comparison, men take just 45 days to make sure that they look good.

We check out why women take so long and how do the men handle it.

"To look good, one needs time. For a hurried outing, 20 minutes are fine for me, but when the occasion demands, I can spend close to two hours in front of the mirror," says Shalini Dhadwal, a homemaker from Sector 37. And when we ask what her husband does in the meantime. "Oh, he sulks," pat comes the reply.

But why women want to spend so much time? "There're lots of sociological reasons. Even as kids, dressing up is important for girls. They are brought up to be image conscious," asserts Sanwli of Department of Sociology, Panjab University. "If I'm dressed well, my day goes well. So, that's why I don't mind spending time and money on me. It's important, you see," she adds.

While women are happy spending hours to get that killer look, the male brigade has devised out strategies to while away time. "I usually bank on my Blackberry when my wife is getting ready. She is usually quick, but at times I have to go through the grind," says Salil Khanna, a resident of Sector-43.

Is it only women who spend time dressing up? No, this phenomenon is being seriously challenged by the metro-sexual lot. Says Sharad Sharma, student of Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology, "It's not just women who needs time to get ready, men do it too." Agrees Adarsh Kohli, additional professor, psychology, PGI: "With corporate culture booming, looking presentable is important. An increasing number of men are opting for beauty treatments, which once were reserved for women only. The burgeoning number of unisex beauty clinics says it all," she quips. "Also, people these days really like to emulate their role models, Bollywood stars, fashion icons and even TV celebrities," adds Kohli.

However, there are some women who seem to have struck a balance between their 'obsession' and responsibility. "I don't want my hubby to keep waiting. So, I start dressing up an hour before him. Rarely he gets a chance to sit in the car and honk while I'm busy giving the final touches to my makeup," tells Jaspreet Majithia of Sector 38.

While a bit of dolling up is absolutely okay, here's an advice for 'habitual offenders'. "Make sure the hours you spend decking up do not affect your daily routine. If you're getting late for your work, classes or commitments because of too much talking to the mirror, then it's a warning sign. Some people are not happy with the way they look, so they keep on fiddling with their dresses and looks. It' a medical condition known as called body dismorphic disorder," says Dr Parmod Kumar, consulting psychiatrist, Silver Oaks Hospital, Mohali.

mona@tribunemail.com

                                                                                      Ritu Manchanda, Chandigarh

You seem to be a strong and courageous girl with a sensible head on her shoulders. You have come back to your country with a dream. Why don't you focus on that? I understand how your mind is getting swayed by the tide of environmental influences. But on the other hand does people's validation matter so much to you? As you yourself have said it's your life. And anyway, how can you have a kid just to prove a point to the world. A child must be brought into the world only if you desire to do so. We must do things for the right reasons. Not just because we are compelled. After all, our ultimate goal is happiness. Strive towards it and get rid of your guilt.

• I am a college student here and I enjoy reading your column. I am an avid self-help book reader as being a strong and confident person is the most important thing for me. Yet, no matter how hard I strive, I seem to be living in a constant state of stress and fear. I work very hard, but each time I do not get good grade my self-esteem gets a big blow. Why I am constantly doing the same negative thing? My health begins to suffer too. There must be a way of overcoming that?

                                                                                            Robin Mehan, Chandigarh

Cheer up, life isn't meant to be so serious. You are giving too much importance to grades. At your age and stage in life, grades are a primary factor in life and yet not to the extent that the whole concept overshadows your whole existence and begin to threaten your happiness. Confidence and self-esteem are all about being in sync with your self and the outer would. Then, all your doubts will run. Do away with negative feelings. Do a positive affirmation every morning. "I am full of confidence. I live in prosperity." All your dreams will come true. You have the right ingredients -- the ambition and the will to succeed. Live each moment in joy. Your life will definitely be on the upswing.

• I was having an affair with two girls. Now they both are aware of it and no one is talking to me. I am unable to decide which one I love more. With one of them my relationship is four years old and we have a strong emotional bond between us. With the other one it has been two years, but we are close physically and mentally and I have always feet happy with her. But now I am missing my old girlfriend too much and not talking to her is disturbing me more. Please advise whom should I marry.

                                                                                                         Mohit, Chandigarh

You sure are in a fix. Being in love is all about feeling wonderful and great, but you seem to have gone into a confusion. C'mon now, you want to have your cake and eat it too. Well sir, we have to get a little more serious about life and the decisions we make if we want a happy, peaceful and stress-free existence. From the look of it, you were quite happy with your situation before your girlfriends discovered each other's presence in your life. Remember, honesty is the only true path to happiness. If only you are honest with yourself, will you be happy. A long acquaintance or friendship is no guarantee of a good relationship. If you can physically and mentally bond with somebody completely, you are indeed blessed. I suggest you spend some time alone with yourself and give it a serious thought. You need some space from both to come to the correct decision. Mental and physical bonding should definitely take priority in a marriage situation. Trust your instructs. Remember, you cannot make yourself love people more as love is a natural flow let it come to you naturally.