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Shot circuit
Well, if they say that good, long, conversations is what it takes to make a connection, then the age-old saying 'a picture says a thousand words' must be true. At least, that's what the story of the 196-member Chandigarh Flickr Club tells us. "Earlier named as Chandigarh Photography Club, it has turned out to be a wonderful experience. I have been uploading my photographs on www.flickr.com for the past two years but it is when we made this club that the ball really started rolling." says the 24-year-old professional blogger, Anurag Bhateja. "Also, we are bursting so much with ideas that we keep evolving every time. For instance, we had a two-hour long session with Prabhat Singh last week who shared all the tips of an insider with us. An exhibition is definitely on the cards. Also, we just launched are website too where every artist will have his/her own gallery and can sell photographs too!" shares Anurag Malhotra, a 40-year-old marketing manager. And there is a more important aspect to it for married men like me, adds the 40-year-old Anurag, "Once a month, we make it a family affair by asking them to tag along to an outstation destination. To my delight, now even my school- going son has started accompanying me regularly. Also, in general we start a photo walk at five in the morning and reach back home by 9. By the time my family gets up, I am even done with preparing the breakfast. So, basically I don't give them a chance to open their mouth to talk - I ensure they are stuffed with yummy food all the time!" Ahem Ahem! That's some bribe we must say! Dinanath Yadav, a 25-year-old IT professional has the last word as he says, "Chandigarh is a great place to be. From doctors, to students, to multimedia professionals, our group has a broad base of professionals as its members. With no membership fee being charged, all it takes is a genuine interest in photography to shoot your blues away every weekend!" Now, that would click with anyone, won't it? |
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City in cybersphere
Chandigarh Geri Route, Sector11, Members-19019, the second highest number of members of any Chandigarh-related community on Orkut. To the 'esteemed' members, the community represents, "Those young hearts who travel endlessly through the roads of Sectors 10 and 11, where eyes meet and hearts skip a beat...." Created in May 2006, by a certain Rohit Chawla, the community celebrates the youngsters' love for Geri route and Chandigarh.
Another community, Chandigarh Sukhna Lake, talks about it as a tourist spot, where people come to pass their free time, walk, jog, do boating and of course dating. And if you think Sukhna Lake is at times too crowded for a nice date, become a member of Chandigarh's Lovers Point community for more options. To help further, Chandigarh Dating, a community on Orkut might even find you a partner. There are over similar 100 Chandigarh communities on Orkut, Facebook and Hi-5 covering various aspects of the city, some Now, this is what we term as self-obsession! We have ample communities in 'honour' of girls and boys of the city on Orkut, from 'Chandigrah de Munde, Kudiyaan' to a little sophisticated name wise, 'Chandigrah dudes and dames', 'guys and gals of Chandigarh', the membership of which is a little over a thousand. "The communities talk about the cool attitude of youngsters of Chandigarh," says Sumeet, a 'proud' member of all these communities. Besides the usual temporary or 'long-lasting' friendships, the social networking sites also help in discovering talent. Chandigarh Entertainment and Arts on Facebook have budding artists as its members who post their profile information and photographs of their works on the community. We also have Chandigarh Rock Community and Chandigarh Rockers community for the music lovers. The Rockers community specifies, "You needn't be a professional singer or musician but a true music enthusiast. The community is even meant for bathroom singers. Music lovers can form bands through it, arrange for jam sessions, teach and give tips to freshers with the only instruction mentioned, no copying or plagiarism. Please be original." Time to go beyond the usual definition of talent! Biking can be certainly one. For those, who know the art of wheelies, flamingos and stoppies, Chandigarh Roadies, Chandigarh Auto Freaks and Chandigarh Bikers Club are the communities to be a member of. Then, there is Royal Enfield Chandigarh which gives 'due respect' to youngsters who love this machine. Guess it's time we declare the winner, which enjoys the maximum membership. Of all the Chandigarh Communities on Orkut and Facebook, the highest count of members belongs to 'Chandigarh' itself. Some 48561 are the members of it. Not to forget, it's still counting and so are we!
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Jeep, zap, zoom…
Multi-utility vehicles? Don't know, may be. Executive cars? Think Benz, Bentley, BMW three series…someday. Jeeps-sure! And that's for sure. Anything else…nah!
Frivolous as it might sound to the ones happy with their everyday Hondas and Hyundais, but jeep is a jeep is a jeep! They are the very own Panjabi convertibles, awe-inspiring and absolutely overwhelming. That's how the big boys on college grounds feel about the original off-roader of the US Army. And, that's how the arguments in favour read. "It's a guy's ultimate accessory," is how Rubal Sahiwal, B.Sc, IT student, sums up to begin with. "It's all about fascination, making a statement, the ones used to judging cars with average and functionality will never understand," he adds. Is that how the snob diary continues throughout? Guess, yes! Gurlal Singh Kullar, a student of DAV-10, had to have one. "I had a jeep earlier as well, sold it but then again, got a new one. This one has not been modified, but it is rough and rugged and who doesn't love the four-wheel drive? It feels amazing." Did he mention modifications? Laughs Rubal, "Oh, I didn't spend as much money on the vehicle itself as I did on modifications. My wheels are as broad as they come, there's a huge jute rope tied nicely in the front to give that essential country, military touch. Earlier, it was open but for the fear of getting a ticket, I got it covered." Open jeeps, Punjabi jeeps, Landi jeeps, vintage Willys, Ford jeeps, pre or post war, give the authentic touch and you're done. What doesn't change is the classic military character and feel. A geri on the campus, drive in the woods, adventure in the wilds, the vehicle's a perfect companion for boys' time out. As Gurlal says, "I have other cars as well, but whenever we wish to venture out in the fields, farms or even hills, it has to be a jeep because of its off-roading abilities somehow suits the occasion. Even my friends ask me to take this one only." More than the geri stories what they wax eloquent is what makes it stand apart? "Who can really pinpoint why they like the things they do? I've been fascinated with the conveyance since childhood, that's the reason I bought it. No matter what, in the parking lot a jeep undeniably stands apart, rather dominates," opines Vikramjeet Singh, a student, defense studies. It doesn't end there. Another little big boy hushes…'Not to forget, the joys of a jeep during elections rallies, geris and friends time out. Plus, I feel, it glamorises my garage!' The communities spread over the length and breadth of social networking sites as if nod at the statement. Don't they say, you ain't riding, till you riding ruff! manpriya@tribunemail.com |
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Familiar sight
College speak
What it would be like to be the principal or a professor of such a huge college? First of all, what's it like to be a student? Anyways, Dr V. K. Virmani, lets us know of the courses, "With us, it's the courses. Not just quantity, rather quality. We are the only ones offering M. Sc physics, chemistry, IT, biotechnology. Needless to say, all the seats are full, we have evening courses as well." Canteen connect
Don't they say, want to judge a college, go to its canteen. Over here, you're lucky if you get a table! Especially, at the coffee shop above. Downstairs, the menu might not be exhaustive, but the gathering is. Climb a few stairs and you can have hot chocolate, butter sambar, veg cutlet, South Indian dishes or French toast. "More than anything, what I like about this college is the ambience. In my opinion this is the only one in the city comparable to colleges in the Capital," shares a first year student. Beyond classrooms
Oh, there's everything there is supposed to be. Infrastructure we mean. So who's interested in library, auditorium, halls, IT section? The canteen was full, the library was empty! Yeah…now it feels like we're in college. Anyways, who cares? The session's just begun, exams are far! Laughs Rajni Jindal, archival assistant, "Actually there's still some time for the students to get their library cards." There are a few souls in the reading room and there's even a research library with rare palm leaf manuscripts some from the 15th century. Want to get in? No, given the thin populace in the library itself, is one must be haunted! Right outside is a 'meadow' for hanging out with seven…or eight umbrella roofed sitting areas. Crowd puller
Essentially extra-curricular; and so much for the first impression! There's a group of friends in a quiet corner having a great time, a guy strumming a guitar, outside in the huge lawns budding cricketers sweating it out. And those not officially occupied appear the busiest. Do these guys ever get to study? Meanwhile, the talent hunt competition on in the auditorium draws large cheers from the crowd. Guess the guy was crooning a popular Sufi song. Bet you got the true blue college feel. manpriya@tribunemail.com |
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i tone So, today is International Youth Day. We wouldn't be acknowledging the day, if it weren't for the young and the restless. What's one thing that characterises today's youth? Let's hear it from the horses' mouth. Vision right
Meenu Young is gold
Simran Kaur Voice over
Perry Goswami |
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Nazan’s nazm
Ham subhah ke bhoolon ko pta ghar ka bta deh/ Aei Shah-e-Qalander hamein tu jeena sikha deh.. Leading this qawwali performance are actors Paresh Rawal and Om Puri in Road to Sangam, slated for all-India release on October 2. Next you can spot Yasin Nazan, singer music composer and a noted qawwal. Raised and educated in Mumbai, Yasin learnt classical music from Ustad Mazid Khan before coming under the tutelage of Ustad Aziz Nazan (who presented qawwalis in films Rafu Chakkar, Nehle Pe Dehla, Chattan, Five Rifles and others). Credited with 72 albums of ghazals, bhajans and Bhojpuri folk music, Yasin had extensively performed in Pakistan and India, including an NZCC sponsored event in Andaman, which he calls the memorable of his music career. Ustad Yasin is here on the invitation of the NZCC. On his competence to perform all genres — classical, folk, ghazal and qawwali, Yasin maintains that it is essential to have a sound knowledge of classical music and in-depth knowledge of poetry. “As classical music is sublime and putting emotional expressions in a melodic form makes your composition more appealing and popular,” he says. He laments the vulgarity in qalaams, rather the Toofan-e-badtamizi, prevalent in modern qawwalis after 1980s, has accounted for its downfall. But on the contrary, the ghazal, with potent lyrical content, has retained its pinnacle of fame and glory with maestros like Jagjit Singh taking ghazal to spectacular heights. Earlier, D.S. Saroya, director NZCC, said regular performances by eminent maestros have been planned at the Kalagram complex. “While Ustad Yasin will perform in a specially-designed daily programme of ghazal-geet commencing from Friday at Kalagram, noted Sufiana maestro Mamta Joshi, a lecturer at GC-11, will give a recital on the second and fourth Saturday evenings from September 12. A NZCC-sponsored All- India quiz programme every Sunday is already drawing crowd and all art lovers are welcome,” added Saroya.
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The film that is based on a one-day event in the life of 12 people from different strata of Mumbai city, deals with racial, communal, caste, class, gender, lingual and immigrant bias. Written, edited and directed by N.Chandra, the film stars Anupam Kher, Atul Kulkarni, Milind Gunaji, Perizad Zorabian, Smily Suri, Praveen Dabbas, Rajit Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav, Sarika, Sayaji Shinde, Seema Biswas and Vijay Raaz. Showcasing the movie at The British School, Sector 8, Panchkula, Sanjay Sethi, director of the school said, “We have decided to showcase the movie to students on Independence Day, so that they are abreast with the latest trends and happenings.” —TNS
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There are 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu, termed as the Dashaavataaras, and the series depicts the great battles fought between gods and demons and the triumph of good over evil and of man’s eternal quest for order in chaos. In the forthcoming issues, mythology will be presented in inimitable Vimanika style. In each issue, the tales of Lord Vishnu’s avataaras will be told. In the first issue of Dashaavataara the tale of Matsyaavataara— the Fish, and Koormaavataara- the Tortoise are recounted. The Sixth is about a hero named Karan Vir who is a high profile businessman and his quest for truth. — TNS
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Shoo flu!
Bollywood is the latest casualty of the swine flu scare, with shoots being cancelled and actors staying away from foreign locales in a bid to protect themselves from the pandemic. Director Karan Johar has cancelled a two-day shoot in Pune for his upcoming film Qurbaan which stars Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor. Johar had flown in a 180 member crew for the shoot, but decided to postpone it after 10 cases of swine flu were reported from Pune. Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan too had commented about the hoopla surrounding the flu, which has been rechristened H1N1 virus, on his blog, saying, "This has been causing extreme alarm throughout not just Delhi but the entire country. Panic is worse than the cause at times and I would like to believe that that is what needs to be addressed first." Actor Sameera Reddy had her friends and family worried when she came down with fever after a trip to Singapore. Thankfully for Reddy, it turned out to be a case of a mere viral, but she has cancelled her trips abroad to be on the safe side. — PTI
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Script superior
Teenage pregnancy, terrorism, an out-and-out actioner or a spooky jungle thriller-Bollywood newcomers like Shruthi Haasan, Ruslaan Mumtaaz and Arunoday Singh are opting for different themes and strong scripts rather than being lured by big banners and typical potboilers. Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan's daughter Shruthi chose an unconventional debut in Luck, a hardcore action film. "I've never understood what is or is not commercial. I chose Luck because I loved the concept. I'm glad I was a part of it. I chose a script that excited me and I will continue to do so-whatever the genre may be," 23-year-old Shruthi said.
Similar is the case with Arunoday Singh, grandson of Congress veteran Arjun Singh. Arunoday is making his entry into Bollywood with Piyush Jha's Sikandar and he plays a militant. Set in Kashmir, the film is slated to hit screens Aug 21. The budding actor says he can't fathom the need for a marked difference between commercial and non-commercial cinema in Bollywood. "I don't know why there is an understanding here that films with a serious subject are inherently better than typical masala films. It's not like that. If the story and the script of a film are interesting-that's all that matters," said Arunoday, who had been living abroad for nine years. While Shruthi and Arunoday made a conscious choice of doing 'script-based' roles, Ruslaan just happened to be roped in for Teree Sang, Satish Kaushik's take on teenage pregnancy. "My first movie Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar was not a commercial one and I wanted my second project to be a commercial one. When I was approached by Satish Kaushik for Teree Sang, I gave my nod, thinking his films are always commercial in theme and presentation. But after reading the script, I realised it was not. But I'm glad I did it," Ruslaan said. — IANS
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It's a different kind of bond. No, you do not share what your girl friend said to you last night, or how your parents disappointed you one more time, or how you devised a new way to bunk office, or how you really like the guy who has just moved in next doors. And yet you share a picture of your world with the other person and it clicks!
"One day, I read a post from one Navdeep Sandhu asking us to meet at Sector 10 to share some photography tips. I landed at the venue only to find two more people! But there were a lot of online posts saying that we should meet again. I am so glad we did because 90 per cent of my photography has evolved because of the offline interactions with the shutterbugs,"says Ashwini Verma, a 33-year-old graphic designer. 
But then there are so many online activities that start with a bang and end with a splutter. How come this one still shows a pretty picture? "We have been having our photo walks every Sunday, ever since the club started. Till date, we haven't given any weekend a miss. So, now it's become a part of our lives. Also, being in a group gives a chance to explore so many new places which works as an added attraction," adds Anurag Bhateja. 
So when, all these times, we have seen people using the oh-so-boring means to express their admiration for the city, raise placards or shout," We Love Chandigarh", hold seminars and mutually support each other's opinion on the city's beauty, joining a Chandigarh community online seems an interesting and fresh concept. Also, we bet, it is the easiest of all. The basic requirement is, be a member of a social networking site (which we are sure any computer literate today is) and then join any community that vehemently raises concern or praises Chandigarh for its Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, Sector 17, even for lesser important features, roundabouts, trees, rock bands, bullet bikes, eating joints, dog lovers…
"It's the most convenient way to make like-minded people express their views on a serious topic," says Nitish Sharma, one of the members of Chandigarh Freeze, a community on Facebook that puts across its concern for the transformation of the city from 'green to concrete.' A similar attempt has been made for the preservation of Sukhna Lake through, Save Sukhna Lake on Orkut. It talks about, "The aggravated problem of silting that has reduced the depth of the lake to a few meters." The community with a good 600 members has raised the question of how the landscape of the city will look like without lake. 
No asking directions, you know it from a mile as you approach DAV College-10. And, the 'line of cars' extending up to 1 km from the entry points notwithstanding! The geri boys, funky hairdos, even the weirdos, there's a buzz behind the college boundaries and something up the sleeve of everyone outside!
For sure, it's leadership. Today's youth have the vision that is required to take the country out of its mess. Call it negative or consider it positive, they are diplomatic too and have the will to achieve whatever they set their
sights on. 
Today's youth have a lot of qualities but the foremost would be their seriousness to bring about a change. The young in the political scene are a lot better than the older money-minded lot. They're also representing our country a lot more in every field. 
Today's youth raise their voice against the wrongs in society, which in my opinion is one of the biggest qualities and in itself branches out to lot many other qualities. Apart from this they're aware of their rights as well. 
Yeh Mera India (YMI), is a movie that attempts to explore the real stories behind the headlines that flash every day and night on TV channels revolving around violence and atrocities. “YMI discovers how the world keeps moving on, in spite of so much bias, which is actually the root cause of all problems,” said film director N. Chandra.
Children now have a choice when it comes to comics! Karan Vir Arora, managing director of Vimanika group, on Tuesday launched two action-packed issues Dashaavatar and The Sixth that based on Indian mythology and spirituality.
