The commonalities between the two are: immensely successful models, happily married life, and similar preferences, likes, dislikes and views. Amanpreet Wahi and Krishna Somani share so much that often they end up speaking out each other's mind.

"You should certainly expect same answers from the best friends in the same profession," Amanpreet Wahi provides an insight into what makes the telepathy between them so obvious. Hence, it came as no surprise when during a visit to the city for the NIIFT show Anukama-09 on Saturday both of them asserted in unison, "Marriage is fun".

Krishna this time chips in to elaborate, "I got married to a chartered accounted four years back, and have never seen it affecting my professional life. In fact, I convinced Amanpreet too to settle down in life, which she has done now." Amanpreet takes her turn to explain the meaning of settling in life, "It strictly doesn't imply becoming a home maker. All it means is just getting married to the right person at the right time."

And now that they both are, they preferred to talk only about the very important topic in Indian society, marriage. "I have never felt so complete and content in life. What gives me a sense of achievement is I have managed to enjoy love and career both at such a young age," says Amanpreet. 

She got back to work after a good six months' break. "I have heard women saying that they don't want to sacrifice their career for marriage. In fact, I feel it's not the career they sacrifice, but marriage." She thus took a good six months break from modeling, "I haven't done more than two or three assignments in the last few months. I enjoyed my marriage ceremony, honeymoon, doing household chores all this while".

They feel, though that wasn't any intention, that they are the perfect example to tell people aspiring to be a part of the glam world that it is so very real. For Krishna, who comes from a conservative Marwari family, modelling is just is a mode of earning a living, "We are devoted to our work but our family life never takes a back seat. 

Especially after the movie Fashion, people perceive models as only glam dolls, who are into drugs and have suffered failed relationships, whereas we are as normal as other people, who know how to make a marriage work."

Taking her chance, Amanpreet lists her priorities too, "At the end of the day, I am an Indian woman to whom ethics matter a lot. I would never walk down the ramp in a bikini, as my family would never approve of it." Offers from Bollywood and reality shows were never accepted for family reasons again, "The thought of staying away from the family for three months didn't allow me to do that. Also, the kind of foul language being used in the show is another reason."

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For Deepak Chopra, front office in charge with hotel Western Court, giving up smoking was the hardest thing that he has ever done in his life. "I started to smoke in 2001, and soon found out that I had become an addict. No amount of counseling from family and friends was of any use. In fact, the compulsive nagging only increased my headaches." 

Kewal kumar

Then came a turning point in his life, which, Deepak says, coincided with the turning point in the history of Chandigarh. "The day I decided to quit smoking was also the day the Chandigarh Administration declared smoke-free zones in the city." He adds. "It might sound funny, but I had to eventually quit for the fear of getting caught by the police."

Nevertheless, it wasn't fear alone. "My will to quit smoking also helped me to overcome this habit. I used to stuff my pocket with toffees and chewing gum. Whenever, I would feel the craving for a cigarette, I would pop one in my mouth. But sometimes, the urge would test my patience to the hilt. I would then imagine myself sick with no one around, coughing, coughing and coughing. It really helped."

If you are determined to quit smoking, you have already made an impressive start. However, if you have decided to quit it on your own, you are doing even better.

Gautam, owner of Fish Garden, had been a chain smoker for years till he quit smoking because of his hobby, which has now become his profession. "I developed a fascination for fish. I bought an aquarium with 4-5 golden fish. But they would never respond or look at me. Then, my wife told me it could be because they didn't like the pungent cigarette smell that came from me."

Gautam breaks into laughter when he tells us that he had to quit smoking for the fish. "Unbelievable, but the fish in the aquarium began to respond. It was very difficult, initially. 

I used to have a headache, feel sick and tired. One day, I read that yoga helps to get over the habit of smoking. I made up mind to practice it." It was more than one time that Gautam thought he wouldn't succeed. "I also started drinking a lot of water. This too helped."

Ditto for Kewal kumar, a pay roller, who had smoked to glory for almost 12 years before he decided to put an end to the 'stinking habit.'

"It took me almost 4-5 months to get over smoking. I had to keep reminding myself that I had to quit smoking for my children and my health."

If you still haven't mustered 'enough' courage to say no to cigarette, a word from the doctor could be of some help. As per Dr. Kushagra Kataria, CEO and chief cardiologist surgeon, Artemis Health Institute, Gurgaon, "It's tempting to believe that smoking at weekends or just a few cigarettes a day is harmless. But the truth is, cigarettes will damage your health, irrespective of the number. 

Someone who smokes one to 14 cigarettes a day is eight times more likely to develop lung cancer than a non-smoker. This compares to someone who smokes 15 to 25 cigarettes a day who is 13 times more likely to develop lung cancer. In fact, even passive smokers are at risk. Is this a reason enough to quit now!!!

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How can the finances be missed out in times of recession? "The actors and cricketers charge ten times more than the leading models. Personally, I would never want them as models. Height is another important reason." We got the point better when we saw his chosen models with the minimum height of 5'8".

Well, not just the models, he feels the industry has a lot to improve in terms of designers as well, "We have had enough of Ritu Beris and J.J.Vallayas. It is time that new designers are given opportunities for they introduce innovation far more creative." He is for all new ideas and even forwards the cause of a Chandigarh Fashion Show. "While doing choreography for NIIFT, I realised the potential of designers and local models here. 

They should sure get a chance. I would love to have a fashion show with turbaned guys walking the ramp." His innovation streak became apparent when he introduced the concept of modeling on the classical music. After grooming and producing various leading models and even Bollywood celebs like Sushmita Sen and Shiney Ahuja, Kaushik has another job at hand. "I am busy directing a movie these days on the fashion industry." 

As expected, the reference to Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion was next, "Fashion exposed many colours of the industry but that was just 20 per cent of the reality. Let me unfold all the layers and you will realise, how less you knew about the complicated fashion industry." Creating more interest in the story, he adds, "It'll showcase how models are exploited and the darker side of the glamour industry which people hardly know anything about." We don't mind another Fashion certainly!

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Designer duo Mini and Jessie have launched their exclusive high-end studio Bling Bling to bring an affordable designer range of clothes in the city. The designers have experience of four seasons at the FDCI fashion week along with two seasons at Lakme Fashion Week and two showcases at Vivah to their credit. 

They have worked in Delhi with various known designers like Manish, Gunjan and Rahul for past couple of years. Having supplied their designs to high end stores like Ensemble Delhi and Mumbai, Aza Mumbai, Collage Banglore and Chennai, Mogra Mumbai and Kaali Calcutta, Bombay electric, both Jessie and mini have a collective experience of working and studying various markets trends and fashion forecasts.

Bling Bling invites you to be your own designer because it believes that every woman is like a library full of ideas on what she wants to wear. Be it western or ethnic wear - fusing them into the chic lycra churidars, suave cocktail net sarees, breezy cotton kurtis. 

From navy blue tube dresses to beige fitted tunics going up to traditional jamawars, the idea is to ensure a look that is elegant, comfortable, hip, stylish and functional. Besides the perfect fit, the clothes will also be easy on the pockets. Assuring all the fashionably conscious value for their money. 

The studio not only shelves exclusive pieces of renowned designers like Atsu, Reena Ahanthem and Shaheen, but also does customised apparel at affordable price.

Apart from the signature collection, Bling Bling has showcased its spring summer 09 line and will soon showcase the upcoming trousseau line as well which is in the making along with a range in exclusive menswear. —TNS