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Geared up for geri gang
Want to indulge in pure, unadulterated luxury? Waiting for a perfect drive that will drive you crazy? Well, check out the Auto Mall-2009, a three-day extravaganza waiting to open the road for the most exclusive brands in the automobile industry. And while the biggest of brands are showcasing the might of their mean machines, it’s fully charged up on ‘young coupe’. In a city known for its geris, the event found the keenest of audience in students who were all set to try their hands with those luxury four-wheelers, but also creating the thrust behind the accelerated appeal. In an interesting combination of students and automobile, the event had on display some of the best-designed vehicles by students of city engineering colleges. With their creative and technical skills on show, students from Thapar University, UIET and Luangewala University are ready get the Indian sport car circuit roaring and racing. So, we have India’s fully indigenously developed Formula One car, Formula Student, made by Team Fateh, comprising 22 students from Thapar University. “We participated in the Formula SAE, also called the Formula One series at student level, held in Silverstone, UK. And, we won the best endeavour award, besides being the only team to complete the endurance test,” says Dushyant Kataria, the team leader. The car took almost five months to complete with all the aspects of planning, designing and fabricating the machine coming into picture. Their first attempt made impact, and now they are ready for the second round. “We are now focusing on developing a Kawasaki Ninja 600 to be competed this year. Our aim is to come into the top 25 universities,” says Dushyant. They secured 53rd position last year. Well, driving on the fast track, when you are competing with 100 universities across the world, there are a few speed breakers too. “Buidling the car was not tough, finding sponsors is. We are using platforms like these to promote our product, tough companies like DLF, Hero Honda, GVK and others have shown interest but a lot has to be done yet,” says Dushyant. On an another track altogether are the teams from UIET and Luangewala University with their off-road hunter ATVs. “The main aspect of our vehicle is its shockers. These have to be strong enough to sustain the tension of off-roading. It has got double cylinders as compared to the single ones in regular ATVs,” informs Arjun Sharma, one of the team members. The 18-member-team got their act together in six months for SAE Baha last year and this year they are game for the SAE Asia leg. Driving neck-in-neck is the team from Laungewala University with their ATV, “We were the winners in the endurance test at the SAE Baha. We had the best steering design and were the overall champions,” says Harshjeet Singh, the team leader. They are in competition with the team from UIET for their share of the SAE Asia leg.
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One for love
Actor Amrita Arora got married to her boyfriend Shakeel Ladak according to catholic traditions. Bollywood actors Katrina Kaif, Riteish Deshmukh, Kim Sharma, Manish Malhotra, Karishma Kapoor, and Saif Ali Khan were on the occasion. Actor Arshad Warsi said that he really enjoyed dancing at the marriage. "It was a superb wedding. The couple is looking really good. I really enjoyed dancing at the marriage," Warsi said. On the other hand, Katrina Kaif said that the wedding was like a family affair to her. "It was a ceremony which was attended by family members and everyone wishes them all the best," Katrina added. Amrita's elder sister Malaika Arora thanked the guests for being present on the occasion. "It was wonderful, very enjoyable wedding and thank you very much for being here," Malaika said. Amrita worn an off-white vintage wedding gown designed by Ashley Rebello. — ANI
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Kismat
connection
Amrita Arora, who tied the knot with businessman Shakeel Ladak, says she knew he was the one for her as soon as they met since they have "a karmic connection".
"The minute I set my eyes on Shakeel I knew he was the man I wanted to marry. It's like a karmic connection. I just felt it. I had never felt this before. Shakeel is everything that I want my husband to be. And I'm determined to make our marriage work. I'll do whatever it takes," Amrita said just before her Christian wedding ceremony. While the couple was very clear about their wedding plans, however, they haven't decided where to go for their honeymoon. "The problem is both Shakeel and I are so widely travelled that we have no place that we can claim as our private honeymoon spot. There doesn't seem to be any place that neither of us hasn't visited," said Amrita. "I guess we'll just hold each other's hand, close our eyes and point to any part of the globe and pick our honeymoon spot. It doesn't matter where we go as long as we're together," she added. Talking about the exchange of wedding vows, the actor said: "We were supposed to have a church wedding but there were some security hassles so we quickly moved the venue to Olive. But there were no hassles because we had a standby ready." Amrita gives her sister Malaika all credit for the arrangements. "I know nothing about the wedding arrangement. It was all done by my sister who put her own life on hold to look into my wedding details. I'm blessed to have such a supportive family," she said.
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Knot so soon
Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone, who started her career with Shahrukh Khan's Om Shanti Om, today said that she would give priority to her career over beau Ranbir Kapoor, if given a choice. ''Ranbir has the right to choose his career over me and I would do the same. We are young and need to focus on our careers,'' said Deepika, while interacting with mediapersons after the launch of new range of Tissot watches. The actor said that she was doing a film with Ranbir Kapoor and its shooting would start later this year. She also has Sajid Khan's Houseful with Akshay Kumar is in hand. The Bollywood beauty also expressed her keenness to watch Sonam Kapoor's latest film Delhi 6. ''Sonam was supposed to screen the movie for Ranbir and me, but she hasn't done that as yet,'' she said. Sonam and Ranbir Kapoor had debuted together in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Sawariya. On asked about her most memorable day in Bollywood, Deepika said the
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Scripted success
Hers has been almost a dream run in Bollywood, having worked with filmmakers like Priyadarshan and Madhur Bhandarkar in a short span since her debut in Garam Masala a few years ago. In just four years since her debut in Bollywood, Neetu Chandra has done variety of roles that range from a glamorous air hostess in Garam Masala to the ''closer-to-life'' street vendor in Traffic Signal to a comic role as police officer in One Two Three to the consort of the Super chor Bunty in Oye Lucky Lucky Oye. Her real life portrayals in Traffic Signal and Oye Lucky Lucky Oye may have established her as an actor adept at playing ''closer-to-life'' roles but the actor insists that it is the script of a film rather than her role in it that governs her choice of these roles. "I don't choose films according to my roles. Rather, I chose films according to the script. As long as the script is nice and the story is good, I do not care what my role is and whether it is glamorous or non-glamorous. Infact, I do not understand terms like Glamorous and non glamorous. If a script requires me to look glamorous, I will look glamorous. Conversely, if a role requires me to look simpler, I will do so. I am very comfortable with my body and will wear whatever look the script demands,'' Neetu said. Talking about her role in her next film 13 B, where she features opposite South Indian actor Madhavan, Neetu said, "I play a housewife. She is a very coy, shy kind of female, who is stuck to television like any other female in the house and how she realises that the television set has become a danger to her family.'' She said though the role was closer to real life, it had elements of both glamour as well as real life. Considering that she hails from a middle class family in Haryana, the going seems to have been good for Neetu in Bollywood. "Things have been really nice for me in Bollywood. I was doing modelling when I was picked up for Garam Masala. Then Traffic Signal happened. I am extremely satisfied at the progress of my career from Garam Masala to 13 B. My film Traffic Signal got a National award, while in Oye Lucky Lucky Lucky Oye I was nominated in the Best Actress category in the Stardust awards. And, I am on the front page of As an actor, Neetu said she drew inspiration from Akshay Kumar, Smita Patil and Madhuri Dixit. "For me Akshay Kumar, who I worked with in my first film Garam masala is quite an inspiration especially in terms of his sense of discipline. Being a sportsperson like him, I see that he is very hardworking. Infact, the kind of discipline he follows is amazing. I feel that Akshay sir is very-very inspiring and I look up to him. Among actresses, I look up to Madhuri Dixit and late Smita Patil because I want to do the kind of roles these actors did,'' Neetu said. Her forthcoming films include a comedy Khusar Prasad Ka Bhoot, a film called Mumbai Cutting, which is about a serious issue. Then there is a film with Vipul Shah and another with Raj Kanwar. Besides, I am also doing a film with Jagmohan Mundhra. — UNI
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Former Miss India and Bollywood actor Celina Jaitley has signed her first Kannada film Shreemati', opposite South Superstar Upendra. Her co-star Upendra has also written the screenplay of the bilingual movie in Kannada and Telugu. The film is the remake of the Bollywood Blockbuster Aitraaz and Celina would perform the same role as that of Priyanka Chopra in the Hindi flick, a release said. Interestingly, Priyanka's role in Aitraaz had earlier been offered to Celina by Abbas Mustan but she had turned it down and now she is doing the same role in
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Return gift
Sports unite people. It takes us across man-made boundaries, gives us the liberty to negate country’s foreign policy and inspires us to cross geographical borders with a sole motive — play and enjoy the game. A source of recreation, of socialising, of making friends from different cultural backgrounds and of exploring one’s strengths, sports make it all possible. And that’s what exactly golf has been doing for the members of Indo- Canadian Golf Association (ICGA). Figures explain it better, the association was formed 12 years back in 1996 with just 20 members, which now has grown over 500. Lucky Grewal, president of the association, agrees, “Founder members of the association were all migrant Indians. Our achievement lies in the fact that we have members from Pakistan, Poland, West Indies, Italy and Israel, who are now settled in Canada. Some Members of Parliament in Canada also play golf with us.” It just wasn’t for the love of golf that the association came into being, the actual purpose was far more important. “Majority of the members are immigrants and wanted to contribute towards the development of Canada. We then began to hold an annual golf tournament to raise funds for charity. The association is now a registered Canadian charitable organisation,” says Grewal. The mission was certainly successful. “Till now we have donated half-a-million dollars for different purposes,” adds he. The 11th Annual Golf Charity Tournament will be held this year in July in Canada. In Chandigarh for a couple of weeks, 10 members of the association, are doing their best to promote golf and also doing charity. Gian Paul, director of the association says, “For us, it’s an opportunity to connect to our roots. We will now be traveling across India where there are golf courses.” The non-profitable organisation has plans for here too, “We have been organising free golf camps in Canada and now will be doing the same in India. Instead of donating cash to any NGO, we will get a school building constructed here,” adds he. Guess they are aware of how the system works in India. Other than India, the association members have made efforts to promote golf in different countries as well. Didar Banwait, director administration, says, “We believe, we can make people fall in love with the game if we just make them watch it. In all these years, we have played golf in Mexico, Jamaica, Dubai, Cuba, Dominican Republic and USA.” After doing a lot to endorse the sport in India, they too expect something in return from the government here. “We hope someday it wouldn’t be mandatory in India to be a member of a club to play golf. Another wish on the list is to have many public golf courses here just as we have Canada,” they say. Hope their wishes are granted. ashima@tribunemail.com
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Multi-hue the eight-day exhibition cum sale of handicrafts and handloom fabrics at Lajpat Rai Bhawan-15 has a variety of stuff to pick from. Organised by the Awadh Hathkakgha Hastshilp Evam Gramodyog Samiti, the exhibition comes with an objective to revive the traditional art. Third time in the city, 22 artisans are participating in the exhibition. On display are Lucknowi chikanwork, shadow work, fanda work, jaali, murri work, tepchi work dress material, saris, tops, gents kurta-payjama, dupattas, Rajasthani block printed dress material, ladies kurta, lehnga-choli, Afghani and Patiala salwars, Chanderi, Maheshwari, bagh and batik print dress materials. Other than this you can also pick khantha work saris, dress material in tasser, chiffon and crepe and skirts, Banarasi silk and cotton saris. For your home you can pick daris, mats, runners bedspreads, cushion covers, and rugs. In trinkets have your fill with Hyderabadi pearls, Rajasthan stone jewellery etc. —TNS On till March 16
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Appetit Dial M for Momos Kandla Nijhowne My first attempt at trying a momo was in the 90s in Delhi when I warily looked at these pale, translucent, anemic looking crescent shapes with great reluctance. But one tentative bite into a delicate half-moon, half dipped in fiery red sauce and I was hooked, line, sinker and chutney! Five or six momos later, I was ready for Budhist enlightenment. I heard a chuckle. Looking up, I sense that somewhere up there, the Buddha was laughing! Momos are a traditional delicacy in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim and Ladakh. They are the most popular street food in the Kathmandu valley and over the last decade, they have become very popular in many Indian cities too. Lightly steamed, dunked in chilly sauce and accompanied by a clear broth (thukpa), they are delicious and easy on the conscience too! The prettiest place where I've ever tucked into momos was from a cart at Kasol where a chinky-eyed man steamed fresh ones right next to the mighty Parvati river. The momos were nothing to write home about but backdrop of firs, the thunderous, near deafening roar of the river and the mist hanging low over the turbulent waters made it a "MO-mentous" experience indeed! Nepalese Momo cha
Wrappers 2 cups of plain flour 3/4 cup of water Filling 500 gm minced chicken, lamb or shredded 1 large onion, finely chopped 8-10 cloves, chopped garlic 3 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp chilli sauce Freshly ground pepper Salt to taste 3 tbsp cooking oil Method Mix the flour and salt to taste and add a little water at a time to make a fairly stiff dough. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onions till translucent. Add the garlic and fry till it begins to turn golden. Add the meat or cabbage and brown. Add the soy and chilli sauces and mix well. Season with salt and pepper and cook till done. (The cooking time will be minimal for cabbage; a bit longer for meat). Divide the dough into equal-sized balls, and then use a rolling pin to roll out each flattened circle into a thin wrapper. For well excecuted momos, it is essential that the middle portion of the wrapper be slightly thicker than the edges to ensure the structural integrity of dumplings during filling and steaming. Dab a tiny bit of water on the edges of the circle. Put a tablespoon-full of filling in the centre of each circle. Fold the edges inwards into a semi-circular shape and pinch edges to seal. Get as creative as you like with shapes, as long as you make sure to seal the edges well. Ensure the absolute closure of the stuffed dumpling. This holds the key to good tasting, juicy dumplings. Heat up a steamer, oil the steamer rack well. This is critical because it will prevent dumplings from sticking. Arrange uncooked momos in the steamer. Close the lid and allow steaming until the dumplings are cooked through, about 10-15 min. Take the dumplings off the steamer, and serve immediately, accompanied by chilly sauce. If you are feeling exceptionally slim, or sorry for yourself for whatever reason, you could briefly plunge these pleated beauties into hot oil, remove and drain and voila! You shall now savour crispy-fried momos! |
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Luxury didn’t just find four-wheels but was riding high on two as well. Amongst the pool of swanky cars were motorbikes, posing stylishly for their share of admiring glances and greedy looks. They were present in all shapes and sizes too. So, we have pocket bikes, no they won’t exactly fit into your pockets, but sure make an interesting and unique gift for your 10-year-old. “This is a new concept that we have introduced, small size bikes for kids. It’s got a good response till now and we hope to cash in the trend soon,” says Sandeep Kapoor, managing director, Relio Quick India ltd. The bike has 30 cc engine, with all the features of a regular bike and comes at a price of Rs 20,000 to 25,000.
