Hers is a life devoted to techies, teaching and tomes. Chetna Keer Banerjee meets up Sudha Murty, wife of Infosys’ Narayana Murthy and the first lady of India’s technorati

From the first woman engineer at the shop floor of Telco (Tata Motors) to being the first lady of India’s technorati, hers has been a journey marked by bytes, books and (social) betterment. And she logs on to her different roles—from laptops to letters—with a modesty that’s undiluted by fame and fortune.

In town on her first visit to the Infosys centre at the IT park, we caught Sudha Murty, wife of Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, in author mode at the British Library on Tuesday. Having about 22 titles to her credit, she spoke animatedly about her odyssey as a writer. Three of her books—Wise and Otherwise, How I taught My Grandmother to Read and Other Stories, and The Old Man and His God—have been translated into Punjabi, she proudly tells us.

Spelling out her writing style, she says it’s more inspiration than perspiration. “ When an idea becomes unbearable, it just spills out. Otherwise, I may not write a word for a whole year.”

As an author whose works are informed by an inherent honesty, she feels that the two threads—-one, truth and the other, imagination—-must run concurrently through a piece of writing. Her canvas has grown wider but it’s portraits of life that she likes to give shape to with her pen. “Stories drawn from life are what I enjoy writing about most,” she gushes. “But writers must never make value judgements.”

On the new voices in Indian writing in English (IWE), she says that they have a freshness, a rawness that’s welcome.

Tomes on history and children’s books, too, are close to her heart and she’s already working on new stories for the 6-10 age group. “Tales about kings and queens are what I like writing,” she says with child-like simplicity, though she doesn’t feel that more publishers for kids’ literature are needed to give a boost to this genre.

“I write not to sell or for awards, but because it gives me immense joy,” is how she sums up her raison d’etre for taking up the pen.

And as the conversation tapers off, one feeling lingers: Hers is a voice in modern-day writing that carries echoes of sense and simplicity.

She instantly turns on the charm. Meyhar Bhasin, the glitter-draped goddess of the 90s and one of the leading grooming gurus of today was at Hotel Mountview-10 on Tuesday, to announce the setting up of the Meyhar Bhasin Academy, in Panchkula.

This former ramp diva, anchor and fashion choreographer dazzled in her short dress that silhouetted her perfect figure. Sharing with us some of her grooming gyan, Meyhar says, “Ours is an attempt to provide a platform to people of all age groups and from varied walks of life to learn social skills that will ensure success in their personal and professional lives.”

On why open a grooming school in Panchkula, Rahul Kapoor, its co-founder, says: “First, the city is close to Meyhar’s heart andsecond, in a survey that we conducted, we found that the place has no professional personality development school. Seeing the potential of the city—being very progressive and its Punjabi residents being genetically blessed with good looks, we decided to bring our school here.”

So, did the most successful model of yesteryear also undergo some training, “I have learnt through my experience, but I am happy that today’s youth has the opportunity to get grooming lessons.” While the academy does not promise to make you a supermodel, it takes on the responsibility of guidance in all areas. It will tie up with Delhi-based photographers for shooting of portfolios at discounted rates and also hunt for city-based designers to drape its students.

On the changing fashion scene she says, “I am amazed at the way the fashion sense has grown over the years. Today, children are much more aware and they even guide their parents on the latest trends.”

The academy was set up in the year 2000 in Delhi and was the official training partner for Femina Miss India 2006 and 2007. In association with Vermanis, Panchkula’s institute will be the academy’s first franchise in the country. On being asked if a month is enough to groom people, Bhasin replies, “Yes. We have been doing that and have been successful at it.”

mona@tribunemail.com

Do you think youngsters choose the latest gadgets going by peer pressure or they seek expert advice?

English model Kate Moss was hassled by two unruly party revelers dressed in cowboy costumes while she was having drinks in a posh West End club. The incident, which happened at the Vendome bar in London's Knightsbridge on September 25, involved the two rowdies trying to get close to the Croydon-born supermodel, the Mirror reported.

The two, who were wearing Stetsons and cowboy shirts, had barged into the VIP area, and when bar staff saw that Moss was in, they rushed in along with the club bouncers to rescue her.

The 'cowboys' were grabbed and hustled out of the club, scattering shocked revelers and sending drinks flying in the process.

After the incident quietened down, Moss, 34, was seen going back to drinking her 300 pounds a bottle Dom Perignon to toast the launch of film production company Britflick.

The Pussycat Dolls are set to perform an exclusive free concert in Australia. Their concert is the first in a series entitled Xbox Sounds, which will see several top musicians performing at iconic Australian venues between October 2008 and April 2009.

The American pop girl band will be performing tracks from its recently released second studio album Doll Domination, including the Platinum single When I Grow Up.

Their event shall be the first in the series, which will take place in front of the Sydney Opera House on October 14.

"The Xbox Sounds series is going to be huge," the Daily Telegraph quoted David McLean, Regional Director, Entertainment Devices Division, as saying.

"We've lined up some brilliant artists to perform at the events.

"The Pussycat Dolls are the biggest girl band in the world right now and to have them in Australia and performing at the Sydney Opera House is sensational," he added.

Free tickets to the event will be offered to music fans at various competitions and promotions in the lead-up to each performance.

The series shall celebrate the dual launch of the band's new album and the 'Xbox Sounds'.

Singer Ashlee Simpson has revealed that she has received hundreds of stuffed teddy bears ever since she made her pregnancy public, and that she just cannot sleep without them. The songwriter, who is expecting her first child with hubby Pete Wentz, has apparently packed her bed with them, reports the China Daily.

A source said: "She has so many teddy bears and loves them so much she has filled her bed with them. It is a little crowded, but Pete gives in to whatever Ashlee wants. It is really sweet." The 23-year-old is already excited about the prospect of becoming a mother in the not-too-distant future.

She said: "We're getting the nursery ready. I can't wait to be a mom and he can't wait to be a dad, so it's fun. The baby is my main focus right now. This is definitely the happiest moment in my life." — ANI

It was a day filled with verve and excitement, as INIFD-8 students celebrated their Fresher's bash at Taj-17.

This first of its kind theme Chak De INIFD - Play to Win celebrated the spirit of sportsmanship with the purpose of spreading a message of the importance of sports in our lives and acknowledging the great Indian sports superstars. The students flaunted their ingenious brilliance by their thematic dressing and presentation by adorning sportswear like striped shorts, colorful tracksuits, painted t-shirts, windcheaters, tennis skirts, striped jerseys with athletic shoes, socks, caps, gloves, bandanas, knee pads, helmets, glares etc. Students were dressed up in their self-designed uniforms representing their teams with logos and team names of the sport of their choice like cricket, football, basketball and hockey.

The contestants for the various titles did an amazing catwalk with props and music. They were judged on the basis of their body language, confidence, style, receptivity and winning attitude. Sidharath Ahuja and Sagarika Bhangra were adjudged Mr. Fresher and Ms. Fresher respectively. Nancy Amar got the title of Ms Sporty Smile while Jaspreet got the title for best-dressed coach — TNS

After Aamir, Rajkumar Gupta is gearing up for his next project

Set in the dingy by-lanes of Mumbai, Aamir was an instant hit. Though on the face, the film didn't look enticing but later got rave reviews and it catapulted debutant director Rajkumar Gupta to great heights.

In city on a personal visit, we talk to this young director about Aamir, future projects and more at Dikshant International School, Zirakpur.

Sometimes, big things come in small packages and Aamir is the right example of that. Talking about his directorial debut Rajkumar says, "Just like an ordinary youth I did my graduation and it was watching movies and actors that got me to the medium of cinema." Having assisted director Anurag Kashyap in Black Friday, Aamir was the next inevitable step. He says, "There was no particular thing that inspired me to direct Aamir but we always draw inspiration from what was happening around and Aamir happened because of that. And this movie is completely my baby, right from story to screenplay and writing of dialogues, I have done all."

About his experience of directing, he says, "It was exciting and challenging, though a little difficult as it was a small budget film but I enjoyed each and every moment of it."

Mainly shot in Mumbai, we question him about his choice of the lead character, "Aamir is a story of common man and I wanted a character that looked real and had no star value attached to him and Rajeev suited apt to the character."

Ask him why he didn't consider anyone more known and he says, "I wanted no star for this movie, as when you choose a star he becomes bigger than the character and this movie was all about a single character-his life, struggle and a decision that changed his life." Ask him why the name Aamir and he says, "Title of the movie always comes from the character or the storyline and my movie was all about this character Aamir."

Future projects? "I am in the process of writing my next film," he signs off.

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Mutton biryani with palak kofta. The Navratra spirit rubs off on Id revelry this time as vegetarian fare takes centrestage on the feast platter

Coming from that part of India (read Northeast) where people are known for eating everything that moves and everything that flies, it is difficult for me to think of an Id-ul-fitr without chicken biriyani, mutton korma and shammi kebabs.

But with a majority in the friends circle belonging to the veg brigade who come home to wish me on Id, I try to replicate the same thing in the veg section too - paneer biriyani, mushroom korma and nutrela kebabs, quite unsuccessfully, needless to say.

This year, with Navratras starting (Navratras are unheard of in Assam!), I daresay there will be hardly any taker for my non-veg delights. So, I did a quick survey in the city and found out how my faith sisters were faring in the Id preparation.

And in that process I found out quite a few smart ones who knew how to balance life and occasions. "Celebrating Id without biriyani and kebabs is unthinkable. But then, with so many friends keeping off the non-veg counter because of the Navratras, it would not be fair, not to whip up some vegetarian delicacies.

So, for the Id party, besides the usual mutton biriyani and kebabs, we are making an elaborate menu for the vegetarians too," says Jannat Jahan-ul-Haq, a resident of Sector 44. Her special dishes for the vegetarians include butter paneer and palak koftas.

Zubeda, another resident of Phase 11, Mohali, plans to play it safe. "My specialty is sevian sheer, so I will be preparing two-three varieties of it. As for other dishes, one can't go wrong with dahi vadas along with some namkeens etc," she says.

Ruksana Zahur, an advertising executive, is ready with her menu -- biriyani for her Muslim friends and relatives and chole, rajma and mixed vegetable for the non-Muslim visitors. That's besides dahi bhalle, zarda and savian, the delicacies of Id.

For others, food is just a small aspect of the whole celebrations. "It is the prayer which is the most important part of the day and then the time we spend together with family and friends that counts," says most of the men folk.

As Arshad Khan, nominated councilor of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, puts it, "Navratras or not, I have made a conscious decision to celebrate this Id as Green Id because it is rather a health issue for me. During the month of Ramzan I eat healthy food like salads, fruits and juices for iftar and I am going to eat healthy even on Id, because I know about the health benefits of vegetarian food" says Arshad.

Well, I can opt to become an Argumentative Indian and put forward hundreds of points in favour of non-vegetarianism, but, for once, I decide not to. Maybe it's time to bring the proverb 'when in Rome do as Romans do'. After all, the spirit of Id is bigger than any geographical or ideological divide!

parbina@tribunemail.com