Lay down your cards
Mona

New Year is the time when one tries to connect to all those who matter. With emails, texts and phone calls making connectivity easier, sending greeting cards is still a preferred medium to convey New Year wishes.

"Emails, SMSs are fine for acquaintances, but a card is a must for loved ones," says Meenakshi, a banker from Sector 9. "All those who are far, a card is something they can receive, hold and keep as a token of love and affection," she says.

"I religiously send cards to all those who matter to me," says Charu Attri, a student from SD College-32. She is a regular in sending cards to her brother who is Australia and relatives in France. And, why not e-cards especially when they are much more convenient and faster? "Well, I feel ecards are impersonalised, even the font is not yours. So why care sending one?" asks this girl.

"Though we have graduated to technology, I still prefer to send greeting cards," says Manu Sharma of Sector 40. "And, the good thing is today a card is available for every occasion, be it birthday, festivals, birth, retirement, getting well, promotion and what not. I love to go and spend time picking up a card that sums up my feelings," shares Manu, who was happy to receive cards at her doorstep on her birthday last Saturday. What's more this girl has saved each and every card sent to her so far and has a collection of over a hundred.

Radhika Bhutani is another B Com student from the city who believes in good old paper cards. And, what's more she prefers hand-made ones. "I along with my friend make our own cards with chart paper, glitters, ribbons and sometimes embroider them too, shares Radhika. Self-made cards are precious for they convey affection, love and time that one spends making, she feels.

A word with those in cards business confirms that greeting cards are still in. "Sending greeting cards is a trend that will never die down," says Diwakar Sahoonja, proprietor, Dewsons-11, one of the oldest gift shops in the city. "In fact, Orkut has fuelled the sale of Christmas cards thanks to friends overseas," he shares. And, today there are plenty of options. "People like to go for personalised cards. One of our customers has a photograph of her garden printed as the card," he informs.

"Also the cards from Helpage and Cry sell well as the proceeds from here go for charity and are reasonably priced too," says Raminder Singh, proprietor, Archies 35.

mona@tribunemail.com

Wishful thinking

Down with PGs

Remember the time when "yankan" in the neighbourhood would make you turn around your head in curiosity. Who’s this pretty young thing in a micro mini with peroxide blonde hair tied up in a ponytail? A new gal on the block, out here to spend vacations at her aunt’s house, or someone who’s just shifted?

Her manifestation would be followed by evening visits to the houses of friends and more friends. (Telephones were a rarity. There was nothing unusual about a 10-year wait to get connected.)

Well, you wouldn’t rest until from the sweat of `thy brow’ thou would unravel the mystery of the dame’s occurrence.

But now their sheer number in paying guest accommodations fails to enthuse you. In any case, you know almost for certain the girl is a miler — good from far and far from good. (Oh, where have all such terms disappeared: rickas for rickshaws, jolly boys for gulab jamuns, and kinees for Kinetic Hondas?)

Back to the PG girl, almost always she looks great till she opens her mouth to blabber; and is already going around with someone. Doubts?

Say no to PDA

Nay, it isn’t one of those `of 9’ abbreviations you read in the inbox of your mobile phones. PDA is `public display of affection’ exhibited so blatantly not just in the greenbelts of the city, but all around.

The slight rustle of clothes, the muffled laughter, the sighs of mock protestation and the ultimate giggle from behind the camouflaging bushes are all things of the past. Go the campuses and you see in the open scene from The Waste Land in play mode: His vanity requires no response, and makes a welcome of indifference`85. Her brain allows one half-formed thought to pass: ‘well now that’s done: and I’m glad it’s over.’

If the sight of lovers in love being private in public embarrasses you, that’s your problem. In any case, you are not supposed to be there without your ‘partner’. Or else, decency requires you to keep your eyes shut.

Greater transparency

The top brass of the bureaucracy may be reluctant to declare their assets. But when it comes to the lasses, it’s all in the open. They simply believe in greater transparency.

Just in case you haven’t guessed, it’s `inside out’ brought about by crystal clear apparels — low-rise jeans and gauzy suits included. You can blame the open Indian skies for letting the secret out of the wraps by airing bold and the beautiful channels like the FTV. Or else, describe it as a redundant change that has taken place over the years in our conformist society. But the fact remains girls, shrouded in dupattas until recently, are now throwing away the cloak of inhibition to reveal their innate attitude, palpably.

Tele-phony

The decade saw 10-paise-a-minute calls ringing in the end of charm in relationships. Sure some of you must still be remembering the appeal of waiting for the loved one to arrive for the rendezvous all those seemingly endless hours of altering the gaze between the wristwatch and the long desolate road ahead.

The lovers’ quarrel too had a greater meaning! Tossing in the bed the entire night! Walking the floor the next morning! Killing time till the arrival of the meeting hour! All the time, rehearsing the dialogues! It all seems so out of place now. Fight`85? Just press the backlit keys of your mobile for a brighter after-fight relationship.

And then there are people all around, over the phone all the time. Morning walkers, young joggers, reckless drivers and in-love riders constantly chatting their hearts, and their brains out. Can’t they just stop to recover their breath?

In Christianity it is said: `In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’. But as they talk, it appears their world begins and ends with `words’.

It’s so very different from the 20th century. Listen to what T.S. Eliot said on breakdown of communication then: ‘Speak to me. Why do you never speak. Speak. ‘What are you thinking of? What thinking? What? ‘I never know what you are thinking. Think.’ I think we are in rats’ alley Where the dead men lost their bones’. And now, Eliot would have said: ‘Speak to me. Why do you never speak. Speak. I think we are in basement, where the mobile signal has lost its potency’

Earn-in Chandigarh

You can attribute it to Shatabadi Express. It brought Chandigarh closer to Delhi. The city grew; and anything which grows decays. No wonder, Chandigarh’s name figures in the list of "earn-in" cities of the country. But, is not included in the category of best-to-live-in places!

She is like a courtesan now. She is good for spending time with and earning fulfillment, but not for settling down. Just in case you had missed the news, data complied by economic-research firm Indicus Analytics on residents, earnings and investments, had asserted Shimla, just 120 kilometers away, is among the best cities to reside in. But Chandigarh and Rupnagar are good for making bucks.

MC with fangs

You cannot deny it. The city municipal corporation has been trying to put the bite on the residents by imposing dog tax. It has, in fact, come out with a scoop.

Its canine laws ask you to scoop up your doggie’s excreta before disposing it of in special bins to be placed along the roadside. Nothing wrong with it, but while you are picking up your dog’s crap, that child from your not-so-friendly slum area is defecating in the public. That’s more hazardous and can contribute to the spreading of so many diseases, but then who’s bothered about it.

So folks, think about it. And, do something for `City Unreal’. You have another 365 days before the year ends.

Simmering happiness

Love brews in the coffee bars. Initially you had Barista and Caf`E9 Coffee Day. Now, you have espresso bars all over. But the prices do take the steam out; and burn holes in your pockets. How about some within-your-means bars?

Bikers’ gang

Bhaijees, you and your man machines, Bullets, are missed on the varsity campus. Your trousers were smeared with oil. The boots too provided a testimony of tough rides. But now, you have taken to cars. They don’t gel with your personality. As an author said: `You are always in a compartment. In it, you are nothing more than a passive observer. What you see through the car window is just more TV’. And, you crowd the roads. Take to bikes, again, please.

Revival of the geri

Couples holding hands are any day better than cars with kissing bumpers. Forget the SUVs guys. Walk and talk your way to a healthier relationship on the geri route meandering its way through the hearts, and the city’s history. It was just like that a decade ago!

We also need more fêtes; they were always occasions to look forward to and the only platform the guys had for socialising. Also how about more families enjoying picnics in the Rose Garden?

Destination pleasure

Remember the lyrics: `Bus stop, bus go, she stays love grows under my umbrella ’ It was so much fun leaving bus after bus so you could travel along with her towards a common destination.

And then, you would miss bus number 1-C and 14 because the crowd always traveled on 9-C. The CTU is in top gear upgrading its services. Chandigarh could very well do with some good bus service.

Year-end high
Gagan K. Teja

With only a day to go for the beginning of 2010, Patiala city is geared up to celebrate this year in a style. New Year is one such occasion which brings new ray of hope to everyone and thus holds great significance despite the fact that its going to change nothing more than may be just your attitude towards life.

With New Year just around the corner, everyone is busy planning something different for the big day. Markets are abuzz with activities and shops, decorated with colourful cards and beautiful gifts are a sight to watch. City restaurants and clubs have organised different programmes so as to attract more consumers and also give them a festive feel. Restaurants like RCHEF have planned a musical treat with the upcoming singing sensation of the city, Kulwinder Billa, leading the show. Also dance parties are being organised so as to bring a halt to the busy schedules of people.

While many are planning to celebrate the day dining outside, youngsters are looking forward to make short trips with friends to enjoy every moment. Raman Singh, a Punjabi University student, said, "I am planning to visit Manali for three days because I wanted spend this year with friends away from home. Every year we used to party in the city itself but this would be a unique experience and I am planning to enjoy every bit of it."

Some of them are even make foreign trips just to add foreign flavour to the day. "I have seen how New Years is celebrated in our country and wanted to do something different this year. Then I thought why not visit another country and enjoy. So I have planned to visit Singapore and Malaysia for adding freshness to be busy schedule and also to see how the other countries welcome this day," added Sumer Singh, a business manager.

But there are many who still prefer to sit back home watching New Year programmes. Gagandeep Kaur, a resident of Urban Estate feels that New Year day along with happiness brings in a lot of chaos and their family rather prefer to sit back home together and enjoy. "With increasing incidents of crime, our family has decided to sit back and enjoy a lavish dinner in front of the TV. I guess it would be a great experience when the entire family with sit together and talk taking out time from their busy schedules because this is one thing we miss the most with most of us working-spending time with each other."

Lifestyle’s awards with a difference

Even before his tenure came to an end, there were voices of protests. But he has managed to stick on. So Fevicol award goes to Punjab Governor-cum-UT Administrator Gen S.F. Rodrigues for staying put even after the expiry of the tenure. Fevicol joh chipkaye acha-acha na tor paye. UT senior Standing Counsel Anupam Gupta to do the honours.