Notice ke liye aur bhi kuch karega
Ashima Sehajpal

She came, she saw and she couldn’t conquer! What else could Mona Singh do when the self-professed religion protectors stalked her. Alright, the list of people waiting for her was quite long, children from NGO Ruchi were there and, of course, her fans and scribes, but the ones most eager to see Mona were those who were really ‘pained’ to see do a Sita-Ravana act with Bhajji. And they met (though we failed) and handed over the summons to her on the road itself (wow, here comes a novel way of issuing court summons!)

The hassled TV celebrity went away just after getting a few pictures clicked with underprivileged kids, who were there for a free dental check-up, a programme conducted by Colgate in the city on Wednesday.

So, finally, we had to resort to a telecon (God bless Graham Bell!) to chat about what’s keeping her busy these days. "A lot of things, actually!" Mona elaborates, "I am anchoring a talent show, Entertainment Ke Liye aur Bhi Kuch Karega, which is enjoying such high TRPs that the show had to begin with its second season merely after two months on public demand." Most of the reality shows generally come with the next season after a year’s time.

She is thoroughly enjoying her stint as an anchor on TV now for the very apparent reason, "Whatever you say, you get a spontaneous reaction from the audience, which is very encouraging. Also, on a show where every contestant does something so entertaining, it’s fun to play a host."

The Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin-fame star has resolved to work on television always but not in the daily soaps, "I know I’ll never get anything bigger than Jassi on television. I don’t wish to lose the fame I have got through it by doing some average or run-of-the mill soaps." If not soaps, the TV actor is busy testing her acting skills in movies. She will make her debut in Raj Kumar Hirani’s 3 idiots as Kareena Kapoor’s sister, slated for release in December. "Bollywood is a natural progression for any actor and it’s a learning experience to work with actors like Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor."

She will be also seen next year in Vinay Pathak’s film, Lakshman Rekha. Hold on, it again has a Ramayana connection. Doesn’t it bother Mona? "Harbhajan and I have apologized many a times for the dance act to people whose religious sentiments were hurt. We never had any such intentions." As for people who would not accept any apology and talk in legal terms, she says, "At least, don’t issue summons on the road, rest everything is fine." Hope it really is!

Lost childhood
Neha Walia

Many childhood games seem to have been lost in the din of television and Internet

Remember the days when chuttiyan would bring loads of masti, lazy mornings, planning mischief and indulging ourselves in all sorts of games like stapu, skipping rope, ludo, playing with marbles, chhupan chhupai and many more? Days ahead, the brainstorming and planning for a quality holiday would leave us exhausted and our parents on the brink of taking up the stick and play the spoil sport.

Well, all these memories have now melted into ancient times. (Don’t raise that brow, thank God that I didn’t call it Archaic) These simple tools of pleasure have now been replaced by Internet, video games, I-pods, cartoons and summer camps. Ask any kid, and he’ll tell you that joining Facebook tops his priority list rather than reading Adventures of Tom Sawyer. For, leisure activities have become more techno savvy than the plain tricks of our childhood.

While we experienced a carefree childhood, children today are being subjected to an upbringing corrupted by academic competition and luxuries and allure of the virtual world. Ask any kid today about kanche and the look in his eyes will make you feel as if you have come from the Ice Age. Says Raghav Swaroop, a 12-year-old from city, “It’s just old fashioned fun but I don’t have anybody in my group, game for it now. Though we do spend time playing tennis and PS.” Well, some smart fashion advice.

A reason for their preference may be the changing attitude of the parents. The kind of comfort zone children live in does not allow them to grow in an earthy environment. According to Zareen, a city-based counselor, “A child looks at society from its parents’ point of view. Parents today are more focused on materialistic advancements than the holistic development of their kids.” And what about losing their childhood to technology? “How can you expect a child to be innocent after the kind of things he is being exposed to, thanks to TV and Internet,” she says. “The games that we played in our childhood inculcated qualities like sportsmanship, patience and personal bonding. But the modern gadgets of leisure are violent and turning kids into couch potatoes,” she adds.

And numerous studies like Internet and video games are increasing the distance between parents and child, less interpersonal or intra personal communication, higher risk taking tendencies in teenagers due to exposure to violent games and media, support the opinion. “The fact remains that healthy and natural environment is important for child’s growing years. Outdoor games and activities are good for child’s fitness and help them build relationships. Off late, computer has become a must in their growth. It has open the world to them and they are more fascinated by the virtual world than the real one," says Heena Singh, a mother of two.

And though she does admit that her childhood was laden with such games, her kids are aloof yet happy with their kind of activities. "Outdoor activities today are playing sports, every now and then they go for camps organized by their school. Kids don’t have that kind of time these days, with pressures of academics and developing extra curriculars, the emphasis is on specializing right from the childhood," she says. All said and done, the fact remains that the fascination and magnetism of these traditional games has been lost in the glamorous reality of the flashy gadgets and latest fads of enjoyment.

Now, the I-pod generation may not enjoy the taste of old world, but we sure can enjoy a flashback of sorts. Times when the most happening place on the block were streets and playground a heritage site.

Snakes and ladder

Now, who can forget the legendary Sanp-Seedi? All the cheering and saying endless prayers the moment our tokens rested on number 98, the fear of being bitten by that dreaded snake on 99 and the celebration after completing the home run on 100. We would play the game inexhaustibly. It was pure, unadulterated fun.

This and all that

It was a game we played everywhere—at home or during school recess. Every scrap and bit of time was devoted and it nearly became a ritual of sorts. Forming a circle and singing Ring of Roses, it was easy and simple fun.

Four Squares worked all four seasons. We turned 007s with games like I spy, Hide n Seek. Hiding behind kitchen shelves, terrace, door backs, behind the curtains, inside the closet. For some it was an escape from a raging sibling or a hunting mother.

Jacks ‘n’ Marbles

Every girl had a skipping rope in her most prized possessions list. The spirit behind all those competitions, like who performs maximum number of skips or Chinese jump rope performances was unmatched. There were games like hop scotch and playgrounds converted into racetracks to find the Star of the Mohalla. We are sure that most of us still carry the remnants of day Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

Some days were reserved for chasing games and chain tags. Bunch that sticks together, runs together and well, falls together. Fierce Dodge balls sessions later responsible for a week’s bruises and ‘sound’ advice from mom.

Renee Writes

Take a chance

I am a 27-year-old guy, working in a private firm. I am attracted to this girl, who works in the same office as me. I feel that she is also attracted to me but neither of us wants to make the first move. But I also have some unsure feelings that if she rebuffs me where will I stand. I think it will become difficult for me to face her in the office everyday if that happens. I seem to be suffering form this dilemma everyday. My work has started suffering due to this, I feel office is beginning to get stressful because of this situation. Please advise me what to do.

Harjinder Singh, Patiala

Young man, you are really unnecessarily stressing yourself. Life is about having the courage and attitude to just be yourself. If you are constantly stressing over the result of a positive action then the whole meaning of the exercise is lost. After all it is better to deal with a situation than to live in a state of limbo. Yes, it could just be your imagination working overtime that makes you feel that the girl likes you but where is the harm in reaching out to her to tell her this. You could just ask her out for a coffee. In case she does rebuff you, just learn to take it in your stride. Your work must never suffer due to your lack of decision-making. Be on one side any which way and move on from there. Life is about taking chances and waiting for positive outcomes. Do not worry you have a wonderful future.

Love thyself

I am 24, suffering from serious self-esteem problems. Twice I have been in a serious relationship but somehow it didn't work out each time, one of the reasons being that I seem to go into a kind of depression. I have been in therapy for this but it does not seem to help for long. I have spent hours agonizing over small incidents where someone said something to me and I felt so hurt that I just got totally demoralized and depressed. I feel completely de-motivated to deal with any situation and keep wishing that I had someone to rely on. How should I handle my life? I seem to have no answers.

Sunaina Bhargav, Chandigarh

Well, I would say emotional problems are the most painful one's to deal with. Our lives become emotional battleground when we allow our feelings to rule our lives. All that is happening in our lives is actually giving us a chance to grow and evolve out of our own self-created negative patterns. You need to spend some time in introspection. What are the patterns in your life you are dealing with? Are they fear, guilt or may be deep-rooted childhood resentment. I think you need to express yourself instead of carrying so much blocked emotion within you. Once you learn to deal with your childhood anger and hurt you will naturally break free of your negative pattern, which is giving you a low self-esteem. Now with a clearer mind and heart you will definitely attract a better relationship that will give you emotional courage and strength. Please look forward to a wonderful life.

Help is within

I am a 36 years old married woman with two kids. I feel that these past 12 years since I have been married, I am living a complete lie. My husband and I have absolutely no compatibility. Most of the time my husband just hangs out in stag parties and comes home quite high. I am not able to do anything to make him change his ways at all. I feel he is a bad influence on my children who seem to look up to their father. I do not want to say anything negative about anything in front of the children because I feel they will loose respect for him. Now, he has become abusive and I feel I can't cope with him anymore. Please help.

Rachita Sud, Mohali

Life is a struggle and you just have to learn how to deal with it. No situation is a perfect, no matter what it may seem on the outside. Firstly, you have to be clear in your mind how you want to deal with your life. If you feel that you want to still continue to live with him despite his wayward ways then you can start trying to help him by taking him to a de-addiction centre etc. But if you think you do not have the emotional strength to handle it anymore, give yourself some time. Think about things with clarity. Only when you have a calm mind will the right answer come to you. Life is all about finding the strength within. Once you are fine inside then all the right decisions will be drawn to you. Prayer is also a way of reaching the universal conscious. Do not worry; life has something good in store for you.

Catfight on cards?

Bollywood's leading ladies Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif are set to battle it out to be India's youth icon. The two actresses, along with actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar as well as superstar Hrithik Roshan have been nominated in the entertainment category for the Videocon India Youth Icon Awards.

Versatile actor Rahul Bose has also been nominated for the youth icon award, but for his contribution towards social justice and welfare. Rahul is the founder of the NGO, The Foundation, which works for various issues like education and child abuse.

Conceptualised by Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. in association with media partner Sahara India Media, the awards will be a platform to honour young individuals for their extraordinary contribution to society.

Awards will be presented to people in categories like sports, technology, media, the arts, private entrepreneurship and politics apart from entertainment and social justice and welfare. The nominations have been decided by a panel of experts including journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, filmmaker Shyam Benegal, tennis ace Leander Paes, renowned cardiologist Naresh Trehan, actor and social activist Shabana Azmi, singer Usha Uthup and Venugopal Dhoot, chairman of Videocon Industries Limited. The winners will now be chosen through online voting and the awards will be distributed Sep 25. — IANS