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Turning stress into success
Finally! Someone inched further from the clutter of ‘how to’ genre and dealt with subjects today’s generation’s obsessed about ‘success’ and ‘stress’. The author event at The Browser’s-8, turned way beyond Ratanjit Singh interacting on the subject of his two books; The Secret Of our Ultimate Success and Tea: Recipe for stress free living. Published in USA, more than an year ago, the titles, both by nature and nomenclature, lend themselves to a never-ending heavy-duty discussion on life’s biggest truths; here’s an attempt at summary. “It’s a little story about a monk from Kathmandu who’s asked to recommend herbs to take stress off the lives by Americans,” begins Ratanjit Singh while talking of Tea. Of course, there’s formula and a recipe, just switch the regular milk, sugar with recommended ingredients. So there’s T for truth, E for erroneous expectations, A for acceptance. He says, “The real truth is missing from our lives, once you understand the truth you are part of that bigger one.” Confused? No wonder, an example succeeds every statement. He says, “There’s a negative stress and there’s a positive stress, stress comes only if you think about yourself. Think of others and there’s absolutely none of it.” And last chapters dealing with what water to make this tea, what cups to serve it. “Just like a car needs to regularly realigned, there’s so much of contamination around us, I myself read the book every month once for mental and physical realignment,” he says. An altogether different tea making experience! Move over authors bragging of the unending research, quoting years of tireless endeavour in pursuit of the masterpiece. His second; The Secret Of Our Ultimate Success was conceptualised in five minutes, written in a week and can be read in ten minutes! “I was getting ready and certainly it struck me, I asked my wife to give me a pencil and paper, when I sat down to pen it, it took me a whole week.” If it talks of success and how to get it, bet there’re going to be readers as instant as their search for it. More about the book? His inspiration? His take? Says Ratanjit Singh, “What are the typical benchmarks of success? Lots of people, even after money and fame consider themselves failures.” Meanwhile someone shouts, ‘We hear what not about meditation, spirituality, what’s his take?’ “When you get up everyday, early in the morning, go in front of the mirror, and be grateful of the gift of human body, bow to the divinity within you,” he says. In between, his statement worth mentioning in response to some question, “Religion is like joining some university to understand the same thing; spirituality.” An educationist, a scientist, radio and television person, and an author, with so many roles, he’s sure successful, even by his own standards, what stresses him? He says, “Stress comes from helplessness, at least the negative stress and it comes when one’s thinking about oneself.” Having founded and sold a material science company, penned two books, do we expect literary exploits to continue? He says, “I sold my 34 year old company to Dow Chemicals and now I wish to devote full time to it and continue with my shows,” with next promotion at four-thirty in the evening, he signs off. manpriya@tribunemail.com
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Tempo tunes
Jay Sean, Rishi Rich, Veronica, where's the gang. "Each one of us is concentrating on solo as of now. But, we do meet, go out together and have fun," says Juggy, who has recently collaborated with Bhangra group DCS to release a single called Oh Jaan Meri yah. And that's Juggy D style, very hip- hop? "My new solo album ahs all kinds of songs, soft, hip-hop, folk. There is something for everyone," he adds. As for his personal style, the singer is Punjabi at heart and talks like one too. "I have done the title song for Teji's, which is called wang teri. This would be out in a couple of weeks." After Hum Tum, do we see him doing Bollywood stuff? "I am working on some projects. Ya, sure," he wraps up in his style.
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Write notes
Ghurbat mein hon agar ham, rehta hai dil vatan mein. Samjho hamein vahin tum, dil ho jahan hamara; the couplet from poet Allama Iqbal veritably depicts the psyche of all NRI Punjabi writers. In city to attend the second World Punjabi conference organized by Punjab University they say their heart always beats for Punjabi ethos, which is eloquently reflected in their creative writings. "Away from my own land, I miss the compelling charm of life spent in Punjab, which is reflected in all my literary creations," claimed the Hounslow Councilor and Punjabi author Shivcharan S.Gill settled in UK since 1964. Once a teacher in Punjab later in UK, Gill was "The pattern of Punjabi literature written by NRI's has been affected by eventual changes in socio-cultural and political realms. For instance in UK it was first the nostalgia and racial discrimination, which formed the thematic content of writings, then the clash of cultures, but now it's the illegal immigration and exploitation of immigrants that is a concern for every inquisitive NRI and writer. Out of my fourteen books the above problem resonates in my latest creations," says Amsterdam (Netherlands) based poet Dr Amar Jyoti. She adds, "That's not all my mind is equally seized with lathi charge on girls in Ludhiana and farmers not getting their due and resorting to suicides and dowry deaths there." Winner of Siromani Punjabi Sahitakar award Dr Jyoti is instrumental in forging a literary alliance between Punjabi and Dutch writers. Toronto based academician writer Tarlochan Singh who has over fifty literary and historical books to his credit, besides classic works on Civilizations of India, China, Mesopotamian and Egypt, his drama Ashok, History of national movement have run into eleven editions and translated to four languages. Deeply involved in creating awareness about richness of Punjabi language and culture to the students there was also honoured at the conference. Acclaimed literary critic author with seventeen books on critical appreciation, Kapurthala born Devender Kaur from UK is also a prolific singer of literary compositions in Kav- Phulwari. "Poetry is by nature a free art. Chhand technique or prosody have more freedom to articulate themes of pollution, nature, issues of contemporary and social relevance," she says. She also lauded Surjit Patar for establishing an emotional link with readers through his poetic elegance. Both Santokh Singh Santokh and Darshan Bulandavi have enriched their poetry without compromising on their Marxist thought. Santokh settled in UK since 1962 has depicted the struggles of working class in his five poetry books and Nakodar, born Darshan Bulandavi, has sculpted five poetry books. He is all praises for Southampton (UK) libraries for organizing the books on any subject they need. Noted NRI Punjabi litterateurs Veena Verma, Darshan Dhir, Navtej Bharti, Jivan Rampuri, Amarjit Sathi, Drashan Dhillon, Sufi Amarjit, Preeti, S. Dhanjal, Jagdeep, Gurmit Sathi and others too offered almost similar views. lifestyle@tribunemail.com
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Picks & Piques
John Grogan (Owen Wilson) and Jenny (Jennifer Aniston) are a couple in Michigan. A reporter with an ability to surprise himself, John is absolutely in love with his adorable but authoritative wife. So, when on their wedding night, the clinically methodical Jenny, also a scribe, delivers 'marching orders', he wastes no time in moving lock, stock and barrel to sunnier Florida. There our man, a considerate hubby, gifts his wife a puppy as a preparation for the impending parenthood. But then this 'clearance dog' christened as Marley is no ordinary pooch. A four-legged freak, Marley doesn't walk, just sprints and has a penchant for chewing and humping. Add to it his enormous appetite (once he has the answering machine for a meal followed by phone for the desert) and uncanny knack of running into trouble. He's fails obedience school, gets the dog beach closed and scares the daylights out of the dog sitter. But despite his unruly behavior, Marley's unconditional love enhances the couples' lives in more than one way. The canine becomes a fodder for John's columns, which earn him popularity and a fat raise. Marley is also there to provide much-needed emotional support to Jenny when she undergoes a miscarriage, sense her impending labour and receive kids at the bus stop after their school. The screenplay by Scott Frank and Don Ross is a loyal adaptation of the book. Directed by David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada), the flick very sensitively captures the couples' life that has its fair share of highs and lows. To keep family comfortable, John has to make a hard choice of being a columnist over a reporter and Jenny decides to relinquish her writing career. Some of the scenes are outrageously hilarious - Marley eating the necklace and it’s retrieval, the dog getting kicked out of obedience school and the way he wrecks Grogan household. The last part of the film, when Marley is going through his last journey, is especially touchy. Wilson and Aniston look convincing as married couple. Arkin as Wilsons' boss and Kathleen Turner as an arrogant dog trainer are endearing. Watch it for a funny and fascinating soul called Marley. mona@tribunemail.com |
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Matka chowk
I started to think about Lost and Found - after my recent trip to CMC - the clinic cum hospital in sector 17. In the ladies bathroom, I spotted a pair of spectacles, neatly placed behind a water pipe next to the sink. The glasses looked nice, new and shiny. I exclaimed and said - "Oh, someone has forgotten her glasses in the bathroom." My heart went out to that person - for I still suffer when I think of my very first pair of Rayban sunglasses that I left in the bathroom of Rajdhani Express some twenty years ago. On my way out, I approached the reception to inform them about the glasses. The lady smiled sweetly and the man said - "Madam, yeh to saalon se wahan padi hain?" I looked befuddled and said, saalon se?" He said - "Hanji, saalon se." We giggled on the way back. Such ardent preservation surely is unusual! A lot of shops in sector 17 have the cubbyholes where they store belongings that you cannot take into the shop. I am sure some of those are left behind by tired shoppers who have rummaged through so much of discounted pullovers and odd-fitting jackets, that they can barely find their way back to the car. If I were one of those watch-men, I would have a curiously interesting time sifting through myriad items and ponder - half-eaten popcorn, sweat-shirts and sandals, shawls and hideous mufflers, tongs and books on Yoga, ladies slippers and kerala juice, it would be quite an awesome collection. I wonder how many of those go back to their
rightful owners! I cannot complain. I have had the good fortune of retrieving from the golf club, my mother's old pashmina shawl, a possession that I treasure very much. However, I left my translation of the Upanishads in the seat pocket of a Chicago bound American Airlines flight. Thinking positively, it may have been my karma to deliver it to the hands of the next reader whose spirituality would be energised by this profound gift. About those Raybans, I am still fretting. matkachowk@gmail.com |
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TAROT TALK ARIES: Nine of cups interprets it as having 'focused energy' and concentration on a goal, because of which even the impossible gets done. Pets, children, home, gardens can take much of your time on Wednesday. Learn a lesson from past mistakes and get on with your life. Lucky colour: Pink Tip of the week: Don't be enthusiastic in finalising a particular deal. TAURUS: The High Priestess reveals family pressure and responsibilities. You are original, energetic and ambitious instilling a personal style and vitality in whatever you do. Balance in relationship and professional activities need to be maintained. Be light and playful and remain free. Past investments could start showing results. Tip: Take things one at a time. Lucky colour: Crimson. GEMINI: The Emperor gets you in touch with your leadership qualities. Your mind will be very alert, clear and quick, enabling you to find immediate solutions to the problems that may arise. Though you are calm and easy going person, you will accelerate and become more talkative and curious. Keep other people's secret well guarded with you. Lucky colour: Sea green. Tip: Set the unpleasant set of events into motion. CANCER: Five of Cups takes you through difficult speculative situation. Emotional relationships are temporary as you come out of them. If you are fighting a legal battle, you win after a slight delay. An array of mixed feelings overwhelms you. An important project is likely to encounter hurdles. Tip: Take one step at a time and avoid being hurried and over anxious. Lucky colour: Yellow LEO: You draw The Chariot and are in touch with dynamic and assertive energy to make new beginnings. Multifarious activity may lead to stress and tension, be aware. You get in touch with family and friends whom you have been ignoring for some time on Tuesday. Lucky colour: Turquoise. Tip: Be positive; you can make things happen out of the most unlikely circumstances. VIRGO: Like the The Knight of Cups you are emotional in personal relationships and graceful on social occasions. Your lazy streak will be more obvious than usual on Sunday. You will reap great benefits if you are dealing in stocks and shares. Your spouse pulls in a contrary direction that affects property interests. Lucky colour: Red. Tip: Worrying infuses your efforts into decisive action and professional achievements. LIBRA: The Nine of Cups brings you to your truths hopes and desires that you mask with a calm surface. A journey near the sea or expanse of water proves to be therapeutic. You need to view defeat or failure in a certain aspect from a higher perspective. Learn from the past experience and get on with your life rather than repeat old patterns. Lucky colour: Purple. Tip: Trust your heart and intuition rather than confuse yourself. SCORPIO: You draw Six of Wands, which helps you in professional work. There will be joy all around. Be cautious of the unfamiliar. Many choices are spread out before you. Give a little now and you will get more back later. You will have a lazy morning and busy afternoon on Thursday. Lucky colour: Pink Tip: Avoid situations that may turn nasty. SAGITTARIUS: The Nine of Pentacles showers blessing on lovers. Your destiny may well be handed as a result you don't have any time to spare. Domestic unrest can be avoided if you watch your step. Some career choices have to be made before an important opportunity passes you by. Lucky colour: Crimson. Tip: It is no longer necessary to take risks. CAPRICORN: Like the The Knight of Cups you are emotional in personal relationship and graceful on social occasions. You will reap great benefits if you are dealing in stocks and shares. Your spouse pulls in a contrary direction that affects property interests. Lucky colour: Turquoise Tip: Be honest to your desires AQUARIUS: The Empress takes you towards the fast and protective lane. You are sensitive and vulnerable as you handle two situations at the same time maintaining inner and outer balance. You make adjustments in personal relationships, as they are a bit fragile at the moment. On Thursday, decisions are made, conflicts are diffused and balance is regained. Lucky colour: Citric green Tip: Be firm and stand ground. Do not let anyone get the advantage over you. PISCES: The queen of cups brings romance poetry and dreamy quality in your personal relationships. It's best to look at new directions, be open to fresh opportunities. Redecorating home and office spaces can bring synergy and fresh ambiance. You make an impact and a big difference wherever you are. Lucky colour: Burgundy Tip: Don't involve yourself in more than one activity at one time.
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The name is synonymous with umtempo Punjabi music, and whatever he sings makes to it to the UK's top 20 music list. To add to the glamorous repertoire, he has also appeared in numerous crossover singles with some of the biggest stars like Ricky Martin, Madonna, Craig David. Juggy D is the man of the day. In city, to perform at the Heartline Concert 09 at Leisure Valley on Saturday, the modest singers shares notes on his work, and the rocking group.
Collaboration 2 by Sukhshinder Shinda hits the city, and it's making waves already. For those who wouldn't understand the magnanimity of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, jazzy B, Shazia Mansoor, Nachhatar Gill, Laabh Janjua, Amrinder Gill to name a few come together for a single album, can sway away to glory with the amazing beats.
It's not another canine tale. Based on a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist John Grogan's memoir that saw three literary adaptations and went on to become The New York Times best-selling autobiographical book, Marley & Me chronicles the escapades of "world's worst dog."
In India, we can seldom rely on Lost and Found. My daughter lost many water bottles in the premises of her school and not one ever made its way to the Lost and Found department. The railway station has a Lost and Found section but do you really expect to find your forgotten books, blankets and toys there?
Why is it that Lost and Found is so dysfunctional in our country? One would argue that there are too many poor people who can always make use of objects left behind. But, what about prescription spectacles that are left in local school playgrounds? Who would optometrically befit those? Same is the case for crutches and dentures. What about tiffin boxes? How many plastic tiffin boxes with ugly ducks in garish pink can you collect? 
What the cards say today...