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Comfort mode to risk road
A corporatised workplace. Handsome pay packets. And a jet-set lifestyle. These feisty tricity youngsters have chucked the cocoons of comfort and secure jobs to court risk and turn entrepreneurs. Here's toasting the spirit of a daring and dynamic Young India What's the one thing that you expect from a job-a handsome salary, comfortable working ambience, an inspiring boss, and the most important, job security. There are people who like to stick to such a set-up for ages, out of a fear of displacement or loss of comfort. On the other side of the fence are those who can kick a swanky office and the comfort of a swivel chair to take up their 'passion.' Risk for them is just a four-letter word, which they risk anytime. We zoom in on such people who have left a regular pay package and job security to follow their own dreams, taking risks, ignoring hurdles and working towards their goal. Winning streak This gang of four left corporatised comfort to rough it out as solution providers and got awarded for their effort
Meet the young and raring brigade, who left their jobs to start a firm, Impinge Solutions at Mohali, and have managed to win the Fast Trackers Award for the Punjab region. Jaskirta Singh Talwar (28), Gurminder Singh (29), Davinder Meen (28) and Sandeep Mahajan (40) were working in a Mohali-based software company at high grades and comfortable salaries before they decided to leave it all for something independent and valuable. Says Sandeep Mahajan, "we always thought that our energy was not being utilized in work, the way it should be". He laughs, "We needed to channelise our energy and skills into something constructive, else, we would have all gone destructive." The foursome decided to leave their swanky offices one day to start on their own in a small rented accommodation. "Of course, we were taking the biggest risks of our life," tells Jaskirat Talwar. "There we were working in a comfortable set up with all the facilities and here we had to start everything from the scratch." Jaskirat recalls their skepticism and a little bit of fear. "Thankfully our families have been very supportive," adds Jaskirat, who recalls the initial few months, flooded with hurdles. As for Davinder, it was a dream to set up an independent company and no amount of problems could start them. "It was only four of us working continuously for days, because we couldn't afford to hire staff." Well, their hard work and all that risk paid off and Impinge Solutions has already bagged an award. They have a swanky office in Industrial Area and a good staff as well. But ask them if they are ready for another risk in their career and the four echo, "Anytime." Call of creativity He quit as a COO to start a business from a scratch
"There was a substantial amount of risk involved in what I was doing. Apart from this, I was the first-generation entrepreneur, so I didn't have an accumulated wealth to invest," says Dheeraj, who started off from the top floor of his house and now has 12 offices all over India with a staff of at least 20 at every station. "I am inspired by my father and how he single handedly manage to study and raise a family. He was always told me that nothing is impossible if we put in sincere effort." But things didn't fell into place from the word go. "There was absolutely no billing for the first 6 months. My brother and I handled everything on our own," remarks Dheeraj, who strongly feels 'it is the thought, which leads you to a destination.' "You can't sit and see your dreams shaping up. You have to get and work. That's how successful set-ups are made." Stuff that honchos are made of. Building afresh The duo gave up a well-paying job with a Delhi firm to build their own enterprise in interiors. And in a little while, they've gone on to change the face of many a hotel
They wanted their work to bear their name, a reflection of their style and identity. Twentyfive-year-old Siddarth Gaind and Aman Aggarwal were working at a pretty decent package for a Delhi-based firm, till the time they decided to move on and design something of their own. Young, fresh and new, starting a new venture, a complete business wasn't child's play. But this is something they always wanted to do. "We had time by our side and weren't worried about the risk," quips Siddarth, who was inspired by books on architecture. And there they were, ready to float an independent enterprise 'Charged Voids' in the market. "Good or bad, we were ready to face everything that came our way," recall the two. The right attitude and the zest got the two architects their first job in the city. "We renovated a residence in Chandigarh, and thereafter we moved to doing the interiors for hotels and other places. Siddarth and Aman have done up places like Mirchi Kum at Hotel Maya Palace-35, Hotel GK International, and Sundarams-26, to name a few. "You lose some, you gain some. It holds true for everything in life," they flash a wide smile.
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The Mad Men and women grabbed not only the top Emmy but eyeballs too. The Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, the venue of the 60th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, considered television's equivalent of the Oscars, was a star-studded spectacle on Sunday night. And the red carpet saw a profusion of fuschias, purples and greens Praying Paris
Barker and DJ AM, who is the ex-fiancé of Hilton's Simple Life co-star Nicole Richie, were seen leaping from the inferno before frantically extinguishing the flames that engulfed them with their bare hands. Both Hilton and Richie are said to be "in tears and in complete shock". Barker, 32, is said to have suffered terrible burns from the waist down, while DJ AM - real name Adam Goldstein, 35, has severe burns to his face.They both had emergency surgery unaware that the four other people on the plane had died. Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said Barker and DJ AM boarded the jet after performing together under the name TRVSDJ-AM at a free concert for 10,000 fans in Columbia. It spun off the runway and came to rest on a busy main road just before midnight on September 19. "Air traffic controllers reported seeing sparks along its fuselage," the Daily Star quoted Bergen as saying.
After Beckhams, Dannii Minogue is the latest to be transformed into a Lego doll. According to the Confidential, the 36-year-old singer, along with her X factor associate Simon Cowell, has been converted into toy figurines to mark the 30th birthday of the leading toy company, reports a website. Meanwhile the pop star has revealed that she is ready to quit music to pursue her dream of playing a WonderWoman in a film. She has recently signed up to the William Morris talent agency - whose clients include Sharon Stone and Russell Crowe - to make a mark as the WonderWoman. Jude to be Sherlock Holmes
The film will go under production early next month in London, reports Variety. The film will be based on the classic tales written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as well as the comic book Sherlock Holmes. The principal roles for the flick are still to be finalised, including the villain, Blackwood. — ANI
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Brides beauties & blends
The chic chicks may love to sport western attire and boys may go for ultra low-waist jeans and cool tees to make for a high style quotient, but when it comes to marriages ethnic wear scores a high. The wedding season is just round the corner and if still you haven’t been able to decide what you should wear for the d-day, these models can give you a clue. Dazzling in trendy trousseau, we chat up with the models who were in town on Monday to display the creations by PC Jewellers Tina
talk
Expressing her displeasure about Bollywood biggies walking down the ramp she says, “An actor’s job is to act and not model. The onus of selling creations by different designers is on us and we understand our responsibility.” Agreeing to that fact that Bollywood celebrities can prove to be showstoppers, she also feels that they fail to flaunt the beauty of designers’ clothes. Having participated in almost all prestigious fashion shows across the country, the model describes the present scenario of the fashion industry. “It is extremely organised and an ethical profession now. Even fashion shows coming up in a relatively small city like Chandigarh goes through a defined process like choreography and dress rehearsals.” Kandid Krishna
It was her complexion and body frame similar to that of an international model that helped her make a mark overseas too. “The international fashion arena favours models with darker complexion for they opine that costumes in bright hues look more graceful on them.” She feels that it is inhibitions and emotional bonding with the people back home that hasn’t let many successful models inside the country earn fame abroad. And we didn’t forget to take her reaction on the upcoming Madhur Bhandarker flick ‘Fashion.’ “In the industry you will get exploited only if you want to be. I hope that the movie will be able to teach this lesson to the upcoming models.” Further, making a fashion forecast, she adds, “Fashion has been rotating for quite some time now. Polka dots, satin, bell-bottoms and now cigarette jeans have all made a comeback and this time too, for the fall-winter collection, an old fashion is expected to make a come back in a new avatar.”
But she does not forget to mention that the journey to success wasn’t a cakewalk. “Just like any other profession, this one too needs a lot of perseverance and hard work. People usually perceive, our job to be an easy task as for them we just have to walk a few meters. But on contrary this requires a lot of practice.” Talking about the minutiae involved, she adds, “On the ramp, we are always under a lot pressure. We have to change costumes in no time and look our best and believe me it isn’t easy.” For those who want to take up modeling as a profession, she advises, “Be ready to struggle and work for long hours. Attitude is must, as it shows when you on the ramp and it also let know, you mean serious business”. Having featured in Sukhwinder Shinda’s music video, Donna has no plans to venture into television or films. Talk fitness and she rejects the size zero look and believes in a fit body, “I don’t want to be anorexic instead I eat to be healthy”. So what is on her diet chart? “Only homemade food, lots of fruits and aerated drinks.” ashima@tribunemail.com
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Beyond bluetooth
Wireless is no more new. Bluetooth is passé. Camera phones charm no longer. Still, there are ways to add zing to your good old cell phone You have just got a mobile phone that makes you proud -- amazing voice clarity, mind- boggling picture precision and just a wee bit thicker than the sim card. But hold on. That's not what Aamir Khan is promoting these days and it looks older than what your niece just imported from America. Neither is it one among the top five sleek phones that this new tech magazine focused on. Well, before you make your mind to exchange that mobile phone of yours, you are again late by a few days. And that means there is a whole new variety, with newer additions to make you feel outdated. Feel trapped in the buy-high-sell-low phenomenon? We get a gizmo freak youngsters in the city to suggest a few ways to cope up. "One can just pick out the accessories that you really need. That way you don't overspend on gizmos that will anyway become obsolete in a few months," says Ankit Sood, a computer engineering student at UIET, PU. Since Gen Y is all for colours, phones too come in a splash of hues. If Motorola launched a perky pink Samsung has come with a sparkly cream and then Nokia has added a dash of maroon, blue, green and silver grey to its mobile sets. Even accessories that come along are substituted with varied hues and patterns, which slim your purse by Rs 200 and more. And for our girls they surely go in for gadgets that look more sleek and feminine. "My Motorola i285 phone has a vanity mirror and the multi-colour panel that looks chic. If there is a new phone in the market with more girly look and new features, I would go for that or even add accessories. They are available everywhere and are easy on the pocket. If I want to change look of my mobile, I can buy a new body. They are available in different colours," says Isha Kakaria, city-based model who runs an NGO called Tamanna. But for people who bought their sets a little ahead of time, they can stay in vogue by making some addition and minor alteration. "My phone looked old and outdated and most of my younger cousins have the latest. To keep myself updated, I've attached a Bluetooth and a hands-free car kit, to my old Nokia phone and to my surprise now I can also transfer ringtone and pictures and all these just for Rs 3,000," says Akshay, a II year student of computer science from UIET, PU. Well, we wonder if these guys, for whom mobile phones are like a lifeline, go in for re-sale of their mobile. "Once you have bought a mobile phone forget the money you paid for it. Its price goes down by half instantly and with so many new models hitting the market, who'll buy the old ones," says Gaurav, a IInd year bio-tech student at UIET, PU. Ask him what do the youngsters do with their old phones and he says, "They keep lying at home or parents use them and if we are lucky enough the shopkeeper from whom we buy new phone buys it back at a low prices." jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com
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Second Thoughts
High on style, low on cash, the tricity offers many
second-hand gadgets for the geeks
With all that moolah, you can buy anything you like. But what about the money wise? Don’t fret. For you can make a style statement of your own, thanks to second hand options available. Be it mobiles or laptops, iPods or accessories, the market is flooded with brand new gizmos or hardly used gadgets cheaply thrown or resold. And with change being the mantra in the virtual world, chances are that you get a good bargain too. A lot of cityfolks are going in for this low-on-cost and high-on-style act. So shares Samit Kalia, an engineering student from city, who has recently purchased a second hand Apple iPod and that too dirt cheap! “Though buying that flashy new ipod or cell phone boasts the status but leaves you pennyless as well. Every month some latest gadget is ruling the gizmo chart. So, buying second hand stuff seems like a flexible idea for the pocket and for the passion as well.” Echoes Neelima Malhora, a student from SD College-32, “ I wanted a particular cell phone but money was contstraint. Later I got the same cell second hand, just three months old, for half the price. It saved me my money which I could have wasted had I bought the new one.” For those seeking solutions in the online domain, there is a sea of websites and portals specific for selling or buying used gadgets. Discussing details and information on second hand buys is made easier by these forums. But here’s a word of caution. “ Before going for second hand buys, certain aspects shoud be kept in mind. The warranty period, detailed functions of the gadget, the battery life etc should be checked upon. Most important make sure that it’s not a stolen gadget.” tells Harkirat. So just for those who don’t want a burning hole in their pocket, but are dying to make a sleeky geeky style statement, get ready for a ‘second look’.
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GEEK SPEAK
The popularity of gadgets has spawned a huge industry, resulting in introduction of new gadgets every day. With so much to choose from, it can be really hard to decide which one is important and which one is not. Gadgets have different uses for different people. Here’s my list of the top five, going by their online popularity: Bushnell Back track
With this friendly GPS unit in your pocket, you just cannot lose your way. All you have to do is mark your starting location with the simple press of a botton, and then using a combination of GPS and a self-calibrating digital compass the weather resistant BackTrack will guide you back to your original location. It runs on 2 AAA batteries and features a high sensitivity SiRF Star III GPS receiver. BodyGard Emergency Tool
Casio pathfinder
Full-featured and sporting a slim design, the unisex Casio Pathfinder 1300 Ti Watch is much more than a timekeeper. Outfitted with an altimeter, barometer, digital compass and thermometer, the Pathfinder 1300 Ti is ideal for backcountry skiing, mountaineering, sea kayaking and camping adventures. Perched on a titanium bracelet, this Casio watch's barometer registers current pressure as well as providing an atmospheric pressure tendency graph, and its altimeter includes high/low altitude memory, altitude alarm, cumulative ascent/descent, relative altitude, and tendency graph. It's solar-powered, so you don't have to worry about batteries running while you're in the backcountry.
Sanyo's waterproof Xacti E1 is for you if you lead a relatively active lifestyle. The Xacti E2 is extremely convenient since it can function well even when underwater, with a maximum underwater shelf life of an hour. It works great when you go trekking or camping, in addition to other water based stops like snorkeling, surfing and water-skiing. An 8GB SDHC card is able to store up to eight hours of full motion video or 2,000 still images at six mega pixels each, and you can even upload videos to your iPod. Alpha 350 DSLR
The Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 Digital SLR Camera with 14.2 mega pixels resolution make it one of the most powerful DSLR Cam. The auto focus function in Live View is as fast as it is in optical viewfinder mode. This is the major breakthrough of all of Sony's SLR cameras. The A350 has a new pop-up flash replacing the older pull-up variety. This camera can deploy flash in auto mode when necessary. amitpalsinghgrewal@gmail.com |
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Tête-à-têa
City cafes are sizzling with chai in its new avatars
No more a mechanised routine, ingestion is an indulgence worth spending. And having come over the atypical call of ek gram chai ki pyaali ho jaye, the latest to join the food couture is our very humble tea. Though sidelined for a while by its more contemporary sibling coffee, tea is back in a new avtaar and in a complete makeover. Considered a common man’s gold, tea has undergone a transformation, from being a routine drink to a chic beverage that is catching up with the young and the old. And the reason for the makeover, “People want a little more from everything they indulge in. So, even tea, which is a traditional drink, has gone trendy with a few enhancements, lending it the X-factor,” says Rekha, owner of Java Daves in sector-10. Well, if the Brits made tea sophisticated and Chinese made it curative, Indians made it international! Of course with more style and spunk. Assorted few
And for all you people, who like their tea piping hot then try the steamy and frothy masala chai at Mocha-26. Other than this you can try the Moroccan Mint Tea (delicate richness of black and green tea), for the adventurous types, there is a blend of tea leaves and addictive flavour of coffee. “We serve fusion tea. Chai Latte is one of them, in cinnamon and cappuccino flavours this one’s a rage with the youngsters,” says Rajesh Dogra, manager, Mocha-26. Need more? Drop in at Java Daves-10, for some exciting and unique twists in your chai ki pyali. Here you can try flavours as wide as apricot and jasmine. Umm…a little addition here and there and tea drinking is not the same. Frosty fiesta
Brew a perfect cuppa
For hot tea: Bring one cup of water per tea bag (or teaspoon of dried tea) to boil. Measure the tea into a glass container (plastic or metal pick up unwanted flavors). Pour the boiling water over your tea and brew to the desired flavor. Brew too long and you’ll get an acidic taste. For iced tea: Brew your tea with boiling water, as described above. Chill with ice and keep in the fridge. Ten commandments of tea 1. Tea contains antioxidants. 2. Tea has less caffeine than coffee. 3. Tea may reduce your risk of heart attack 4. Tea protects your bones. 5. Tea gives you a sweet smile (It’s good for teeth) 6. Tea bolsters your immune defenses. 7. Tea protects against cancer. 8. Tea helps keep you hydrated. 9. Tea is calorie-free. 10. Tea increases your metabolism. |
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The chief operating officer (COO) of a company, shooting orders, heading board meetings and taking home a real fat pay cheque at the end of every month. Imagine giving it up for a small office with absolutely no help of any kind. Not even a peon. Dheeraj Aggarwal, risked the security of his previous job and went ahead to create his own company, Altruist, that provides telecom related value added services. 
A devastating accident on the runway involving American socialite Paris Hilton's ex-lover Travis Barker has left the actress praying for his life. The accident occurred after the Learjet carrying the former Blink-182 drummer Barker, club idol DJ AM, and four others, crashed after bursting into flames on the runway of a small municipal airport in South Carolina.
Dannii to doll
Jude Law is in talks to play a role in Guy Ritchie's remake of Sherlock Holmes. Produced by Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures, the drama will see Law joining the likes of Robert Downey Jr. According to reports, Law would play the role of Watson, the super-sleuth's sidekick.
The hazel eyed model from Delhi made it big in the modeling world after she bagged the Miss India Earth. With six years of experience on the ramp, Tina Chhatwal tells us what’s in. “Maroons and red have been replaced by pastel colors and designers now prefer to keep it light and comfortable.” She adds, embellishment with stones is in for bridal attire. And what’s the latest couture when it comes to casuals? “Drainpipe jeans are soon expected to be out and what will follow is low-swaist trousers with flares and bright floral prints.” 
This dusky beauty from Delhi entered the glam world four years back and went on to become an international model. The tall and lean model not just walks down to ramp with ease, but also speaks her mind without any second thoughts. To begin with, Krishna Sonani talked about the difference between the local and international fashion shows. “The fashion industry in India has evolved and got better indeed, but it still has a long way to go. Abroad, everything is systematised. People value your time and don’t take models for granted.”
She became the modeling buzzword, as soon as she forayed into it in 2006. Bagging the title of the model of the week at Wills fashion week, Donna Masih knew after her first ramp walk, what future had in store for her and went on to become Miss Maxim India in the same year. And it is quite obvious to hear her proclaim aloud, “I am happy and feel privileged to be a part of the fashion world.” 
Like it was easy to keep up with the blink-and-miss like change in fashion, now another esential for being a part of the ‘with-it’ generation is running in the fast lane. Well, we are talking about the latest, coolest and flashiest gizmos. Flaunting the newbies in the gadget market surely adds a star or two to our status. A constant gizmo check and increasing craze for the digital materialism has almost become an obssession with youngsters. And with options available in plenty, gizmo freaks are having a time of their life. 
And who is complaining when you have everything to choose from. Brands like Sony, Acer, Compaq for laptops and cell phones from Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericson…the list is endless. Full on utility and half the price! Tells Harkirat Singh, owner, Bawa Computers-41, “ The latest-gizmo-fever catching up with youngsters is working well for the second hand industry. We store all the high-end brands and gadgets for resale. The price depends on its quality and the period of its use.” But what about the performance? “ Not much is changed performance wise as most of these gadgets are hardly six months old, some even 15 days old. Also second hand gizmos come with all the upgraded softwares and programmes and we also provide complete sales package with accessories.” Now, who said being second is not fun!
The BodyGard Self-Powered Emergency Tool is 12-in-1 unit featuring a built-in hand crank, so you can generate power when you need, wherever you need it. The flashing red light, panic button and motion activated security alarm help to protect you. The BodyGard Self-Powered Emergency Tool also has a FM radio with easy-to-read LED display with backlighting and automatic scan function, perfect for listening to emergency broadcasts and weather during a crisis.
Waterproof Xacti E1
Improving upon the lines of its bitter-cold counterpart, tea is enhancing on its taste. Flavours like strawberry, blueberry and blackcurrant are jazzing it up and lending it an exotic savor. Also in the offering are zara hatke flavours like passion fruit and blackberry. The frivolity of their flavor and the ethnic taste of the tea makes it an experience you would want to last forever. Feeling tempted? Take your pick and experience your cup of sensational
chai.