There was a bit of Roshan of Delhi 6 and Mohan of Swades in all of them that drew them back to their roots. Dollars, pounds, euros, an ultramodern lifestyle, hi-tech facilities and the fact that they had spent half of their lives on foreign land—-all this was not enough to bind. Nothing could keep these NRIs from returning home. No denying, leaving behind the ‘perfect society’ wasn’t easy either but then comfort wasn’t even their priority. And today, they are happy about making, what they term as the ‘most important decision of their life’ and hope. “We might serve as an inspiration for fellow NRIs who want to return but cannot muster courage,” say all.

A well-settled business in the USA could not keep Manipal Dhariwal from returning to his native country. Sharing his story with us, he says, “I was eight when I went abroad. Soon, I began to feel the emotional void and I knew only India could fill it up.” It was immediately after he set his IT firm there that he decided to move back to India. Today, 24 years down the line, he foresees a reverse trend; the number of Indians vying to come back to India outdoing the ones going to settle in the West. And recession for a change is not the reason.

“Indians would come back for they see here unexplored opportunities and at the same time, stagnation in the West. I came back as I wanted to be a part of a growing economy.” His children were, of course, another important reason, “India offers the best combination in terms of education and moral values and I didn’t want my children to be deprived of any.”

Tarun Sibal always knew he would come back to India and he did. He relocated to Chandigarh in 2006, after spending 19 years abroad. His reason in a way, voiced that of others too, “I wanted my kids to feel Indian. I didn’t want to take away from them the opportunity to enjoy Indian culture and values.” The MD of Kidsown, city’s first indoor playground, he also forfeited his job of a marketing and sales manager in an MNC. “It wasn’t easy establishing a fresh venture back in India but some extensive research helped.” Besides this, challenge was to make his 10-year-old son adjust to the system here. “The educational structure in India is different from that in the USA. It took him some time but then gradually he adapted himself to it.” He still holds the Indian passport, for that he believes keeps his identity intact, “You can mix into an another society to a certain extent, but at the end of the day, roots draw you back.”

It was again the parental concern that coerced Manjit Kochchar to shift to India from Canada. He says, “I couldn’t imagine my daughter being part of a society that is devoid of the Indian value system. Being independent holds a different meaning there, wherein kids are not accountable to parents and are free to do their will.” A golf coach by profession, Manjit spent a good eight years abroad and does not deny that the academic competition is tough in India. “But I have no regrets as the competition is healthy and it trains children to be hardworking.”

And he wishes people striving to go abroad see the brighter side of living in India. We hope the same too. Amen!

ashima@tribunemail.com

Dressing up Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallone and Brandon Routh was the most fabulous experience of her career and she is floored by their humility, says Indian celebrity designer Shabina Khan. "It was fabulous designing for Sylvester Stallone and Brandon Routh (of 'Superman' fame). It was my finest experience. They are professionals and did whatever I asked them to do. Apart from designing for them, what I learnt from them was how to be humble. Both of them are extremely down to earth," Khan said.

Stallone and Routh are making special appearances in producer Sajid Nadiadwala's Kambhakkt Ishq, a film about an Indian stuntman who takes Hollywood by storm but cannot find true love.

"As both of them were playing themselves in the film, what I had kept in my mind while designing for them was how people dress up in Hollywood. Since most were action sequences, I gave them more of cargos, hoodies (T-shirts with hoods) and tight T-shirts," she said. Directed by debutant Sabbir Khan, the film has Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor in lead roles. Akshay plays Routh's body double in the actioner.

Shabina Khan also designed Akshay's clothes and said the filmmaker didn't want anything "conventional" for him. "The director wanted a macho look for Akshay but not the ganjis and tight T-shirts. So I created a new trendy look for him. I gave him tight cargos, waistcoats, boots and scarves," she explained.

Starting in 1988, Khan has worked as a designer for more than 30 films, including Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Hum Dil De ChukeSanam. Khan's forthcoming projects are Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Chenab Gandhi, Vipul Shah's Action Replay, Sajid Nadiadwala's Housefull and Priyadarshan's De Dhana Dhan" — IANS 

For those who are curious to know about the Chandigarh di kudi Jontia Doda, this beautiful model turned actor was in the city to seek the blessings of her parents and fans before the release of her South Indian film Minchoo opposite south superstar Siddharth.

Having done TV serials, commercial ads and anchoring Sahara One television's comedy show Comedy Champions, she will soon make debut in Bollywood with Chak Jawana opposite evergreen singer and actor Gurdas Maan. In conversation, Jonita talks about cinema beyond language barriers.

You have done multi-lingual cinema, are you looking seriously towards a career in Bollywood

Frankly, I want to play roles across cinema from different regions. But my ultimate aim is to focus on Bollywood. I want to grow in Bollywood.

Tell us about Chak Jawana

It is a well scripted, message oriented film for today's youth. It is different and interesting at the same time.

You worked with Gurdas Maan, how would you describe him as an actor?

Gurdas Maan is a down to earth actor, so there is a credibility attached to him for sure. Apart from that he gets involved in everything - whatever he knows.

What do you look for when choosing a role?

The plot, director and the co-stars.

How would you rate director Simarjeet Singh?

He is wonderful to work with. He is someone who is passionate about cinema and extremely talented.

Your other films in the pipeline

I am doing three South Indian films. Then there are two untitled Hindi movies. Due to contract with the producers I will not disclose the details. All projects are good.

— Dharam Pal

Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, daughter of actors Neetu and Rishi Kapoor, has become the brand ambassador for Kaya Skin Clinic."Every woman wants to look and feel beautiful. Our aim is to make their dream come true by making them realise that every person is born beautiful and that they just have to make that extra effort to maintain the beautiful look," Riddhima said at the press conference.

"We are delighted to have Riddhima join us as the brand ambassador as her glowing, flawless skin and natural beauty are embodiments of our philosophy," said Rakesh Pandey, CEO Kaya Ltd. The clinic also launched its specialised 'Designer Skin' summer services that promises to protect and enhance the skin of every Indian this summer. The 'Designer Skin' treatments for the summer include permanent hair reduction plan, anti-tanning solutions, acne solutions and summer glow packs.

The price range for these treatments starts at Rs.2,000. — IANS

Inteha (BIG Music): The release of a new Jagjit Singh album has always been an eagerly anticipated event. It becomes all the more so when the occasion arises after full two years.

Well, the wait has been worthwhile. It is after a long-long time that Jagjit Singh has concentrated entirely on romantic ghazals, all of which have been composed and sung by him. Each of the eight resonates with a masterly dexterity entirely Jagjit Singh's.

The ghazals that he sings have always been known for the strerling quality of lyrics, which are simple to boot. Here he has used writings of seven different poets. The only one who has two ghazals is Payyam Sayeedi.

The others whose creations have been included are Aalok Shrivastav, Faragh Rushvi, Rajendranath Rahbar, Sanjay Masoom, Amjad Islam Amjad and Naseem Ajmeri.

Inteha means extreme" or "limit" or "boundaries". But Jagjit Singh says this is Inteha of his gratitude towards his fans for all their love and support.

No doubt, 26/11 affected everyone; shock, anger, dismay, revolt; who was emotionless? No one. Few souls inched to candlelight marches, blogs; How many would pull the car out of garage and set to drive through 27 states, 18000 kms, in 90 days with a message of peace and unity?

“I was a pretty regular guy who partied and everything,” words coming straight from Amit Lall, till he almost lost his mother to the attacks. She was lucky by just a few ticks of the clock. The carnage, blood, helplessness and the, till now businessman, began his Drive for Peace and Unity, starting January 26 from the Gateway of India. While on last leg of his tour, driving from Kargil, in the city, there are just a few places still to go, “After this I move to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Shimla, Jammu.” This, after covering five international borders. “I started with the objective to prove we Indians are resilient, who wouldn’t be scared of their beastly acts. I didn’t expect this kind of tremendous response, now I’m much more focused. When I go back, I’m going to pen all my experiences in a book.”

Sure there must have been teething troubles? He says, “Yes, the Indian mindset. ‘What’s in it for him’ kind of suspicion.” All past, for the man found his sponsors in the Taj group of hotels and Hyundai motors.

While in Chandigarh, he’s going to get in touch with NGOs, “Yuvsatta, an NGO and one more person has got in touch with me.” Elaborating his plans on the United Force of India, an organization he’ll form by uniting the people and NGOs, which by the way, is on Facebook or can be reached through unitedforceindia@gmail.com. “Twentyeight states, all the non-government organizations, the youth coming together. Imagine the kind of platform and power it’s going to provide.” Life can be summed in three words…It goes on…Someone has to lead; preferably armed with vision.

— Manpriya Khurana

Generally women consider that taking care of their hair means, using a good shampoo, but shampoos only cleans and refreshes your hair. Conditioning after every shampoo provides the vital nourishing touch to your tresses. 

According to Sunsilk hair expert Jawed Habib, “Indian hair is dense and thick and needs extra care. Using only shampoo is not enough for beautiful hair as it only cleans your hair. This results in hairfall as hair lacks nourishment. Regular use of the right kind of conditioner after shampoo provides the daily nourishment your hair needs, and thus prevents split-ends and visibly reduces hair fall.”

Sunsilk conditioners with its unique formulation of ginseng, soya, almond oil and yoghurt protein energisers reduces hairfall from 100 to 2. With its moisture-lock formula, it locks in moisture and nutrients, leaving your hair soft, easy to comb and frizz-free. The conditioners range includes varieties for hair fall solution, thick and long, soft and smooth and damage repair. — TNS