The year was 1981. The event: Annual sports day of St. Johns. Students were having a great time participating in events ranging from high jump to relays, sprints to marathon. And all the 'old boys' could do was to occupy the stands and watch the young ones with envy.

A missing spirit of adventure and 'something' that would bring excitement into their lives made them come out with suggestions. A veterans sports meet, a cricket match, a fishing contest. And finally, the 1981 Scooter/Mobike Open Rally was proposed, which later on graduated to squealing tyres, dusty tracks, gravel strewn hair-pin bends, crystalline waters of hill streams, screaming engines, and men and women with nerves of steel. Stuff that the annual SJOBA rallies have been made of.

On a recce to the road to making SJOBA the success it is today, the winners take the glory; the sponsors take the mollah. But there are some who are left unpaid, without any complaints. They volunteer to stay right amidst the action and are responsible for it to continue as well. SJOBA would not have been what it is without its marshals!

This year SJOBA rally has over 50 checkpoints and positions, manned by nearly 200 dedicated old boys from St John's who have become experts of sorts over the years as the marshals for the rally. And their part of the work is deceptively simple - time control, go to a spot and rescue some competitor involved in an accident or had a breakdown, obey the instructions over an extensive network with wireless sets and ham radios linking the whole circuit together; smiling and responding to rude behaviour of competitors.

"SJOBA has become one of the major sporting events in the country and so an extensive planning and organising goes into its security arrangements. Our marshals play a very important role in this, with loads of responsibilities and co-ordinating all the functions smoothly," says Vivek Sood, the chief marshal for SJOBA this year. And every year the job gets tougher, "With participants from across the country competing in a rally spread through three states, security checks, recce, getting permissions, co-coordinating directions, managing rescue work; we are on call throughout," he adds.

And what's the driving force? "Thrill of being present between the action, adventure and head to hills, taking a time-out from life," says Shivneet Singh, another member of SJOBA. Another reason is the bonding that it offers. It gives a chance to someone from the batch of 1971 to man a checkpost alongside someone from the 2009 batch.

And this year the incentives just got glamorous. "The young SJOBA marshals were high on adrenaline, not because of the action but because of Gul Panag," jokes Vivek. And the luckiest of the lot was Akshay Mittal. Reason: "He was posted at the resort where she was staying,” says Mayank Kundu.

And yeah, they are not only responsible for technical aspects, but also some entertainment. Like the 2'o'clock live jamming session at the hotel resort, which earned appreciation from Gul Panag. While the young boys take care of the groundwork, seasoned marshals take care of the medical emergencies and aid in rescue work, help in navigation and keep a track of vehicles through GPRS routes. "This was the first time we had used the GPS for mapping as well as tracking the vehicles during competitive stages. It came in handy for locating exact time and position of the vehicle, to tracking them online," says Shivneet. Sharing an incident from the rally, he says, "During the competitive stage, the system showed a vehicle stopped at 9.18 am. Within five minutes - 9.23 - we were able to locate and make sure that the drivers were safe." Well, with a job, come responsibilities as well!

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

Superficially, the play is about a cruel woman who exploits her 13-year-old granddaughter and treats her like a slave. Heavily layered with emotions of a young girl, her struggle, trauma and at last triumph, the play is much more than just tragedy.

The base mirrors the real intention of the story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, "It reflects the political and social injustice prevalent at that time in Latin America," says Amal Allana. Chairperson of the National School of Drama, Amal without any conscious effort involves us as she begins to narrate the story of her play Erendira and Her Heartless Grandmother. We come back from fantasising only when she says, "Look at the bigger picture. The story was a metaphor that Marquez used to list his reservations about the system."

We do ponder over her "vital point", but her narration of the play was so gripping that we actually visualised Erendira and her grandmother. "Her grandmother lives in a palatial house that she has made with money earned through prostitution. One day poor Erendira by mistake drops a candle and the whole mansion goes up in flames." Erendira life stakes a worse turn. Grandmother takes the revenge by making her earn money through prostitution. For some years, Erendira undergoes the ordeal until she falls in love with one of her clients. She plans to kill her grandmother with her loves and succeeds." We expected a happy ending with a happy love story, but the reality was, "Erendira leaves her lover as she values her freedom more. Every character in the story and play is reflective of selfish human nature," adds Amal, who was in the city with her team to stage the play at the 2nd Chandigarh Arts and Heritage Festival.

The three main characters, grandmother, Erendira and the narrator are played by different artistes in the two-hour play. Originally written in Latin American, the play has been translated keeping the essence in tact.

Salima Raza, an actor gives her input this time, "When the play was staged in Columbia, it took the audience by surprise how the essence of the play written in the west was maintained by people of India (with a stark culture)." The answer was "the bond" common between America and India, "The society and social problems in India were the same, since we too were enslaved by the colonial rule. Racism was a social blot there and caste system here. Thus, theatre bound us," explains Salima.

Back to Amal, we had to take her take on the five proposed NSD to come up in India. "Mere 20 students pass out of NSD every year. We need infrastructure to support more talent and also actors who pass out of NSD need employment, which these NSDs will provide."

Amal feels it's high time that theatre plays a significant role in the entertainment industry. "And, every industry needs a flow of finance that only the corporate sector can provide. Only than can we have more theatres, more playwrights, more plays, more actors and more entertainment," she says. Is the corporate sector listening?

The play will be staged on Wednesday at Tagore Theatre.

ashima@tribunemail.com

"I am always nervous while walking the ramp. So many eyes staring at me give me jitters," she said. The collection included short dresses, short skirts, long gowns, skin fit trousers with colour palette ranging from chocolate colour, purple, berry tones, pink, brown.

Ranna's show was slated to take place on the day one of the WIFW, but all shows for that day were cancelled because the organisers -- Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) -- had failed to secure a clearance from the fire department of the city.

The gorgeous Dia Mirza, after doing a host of cameos, is coming up with a lead role in actor turned producer Arshad Warsi's first home productions, Hum Tum Aur Ghost. Earlier it was titled Kaun Bola. It is the first Indian movie to be shot in the picturesque town of Newcastle, a small town in North England. Besides Arshad Warsi, the film has Boman Irani and Sandhya Mridul. Lifestyle talks to this beautiful actor on the release of her film which opens all over this Friday.

Do you have a good role in the film?

I really feel viewers are going to see me for the first time on screen. I have never seen myself like this. My character Gehna is one rare woman.

How was it working with Arshad Warsi?

For Arshad, filmmaking is a passion. One thing that Arshad never said was 'no'. He fulfilled all our demands. I want this film to earn respect.

How confident are you about the subject of the film?

I am confident. I believe it is going to be a best romantic comedy with a touch of ghost story.

What are your expectations from the film?

It is a special film made with absolute honesty. It is a film you might walk out loving or liking.

How was it working with your co-stars?

Boman Irani and Sandhya Mridul both are brilliant

actors. It was nice experience working with these two.

Are you satisfied with your performance?

I have worked in many multi-starrers and I got some good reviews. People have enjoyed most of my performances and thank God because that is what has kept me going. — Dharam Pal

The charming Moushumi Chatterjee returns to celluloid after several years in The Japanese Wife and is as self-effacing as ever, calling herself a "very lazy actor" who never took her career seriously and doesn't want to work hard.

Moushumi, 61, says of her role as Rahul Boses's "funny" Mashi in the Aparna Sen-directed film, based on a book by Kunal Basu: "I play Snehamoy's Mashi. My character is very funny in the film. I have a special look in it. I had to put on weight -- almost double of what you see now."

The film, based in the interiors of the Sundarbans in West Bengal, tells the unique love story of Snehamoy, a schoolteacher, and Migaya (Chigusa Takaku) who don't meet each other even through 15 years of marriage.

Moushumi, who had to speak in the colloquial language of the Sundarbans, "I had to speak funny language and my movements are also very funny."

She remembers getting cold feet while doing the film.

"I got such cold feet that on first day of the workshop I was trying to run away. She (Sen) caught hold of me and said that if she was expecting 80 per cent she got 110 per cent from me so I will have to continue with the role. I had requested her to replace me with someone else because I am a very lazy actor and I don't want to work hard."

She says she always wanted to work with Sen.

"I am glad that I got the opportunity to work in this project. It was an awesome experience. After seeing all her (Aparna Sen) movies - most of the movies I have seen - I always wanted to work with her. I know her as an actress. I didn't have any experience working under her direction."

Moushumi started her career with veteran Bengali director Tarun Mazumdar's 1967 movie Balika Badhu when she was only in Class 5. The same director introduced her daughter Megha Chatterjee in Bhalobasar Anek Naam.

She may have featured in movies like Parineeta (1969), Kuchhe Dhaage (1973), Zehreela Insaan(1974), Roti Kapada Aur Makaan" (1974) and Angoor(1982), but she says she has never taken her career seriously. Her last Hindi film was Hollywood Bollywood.

"I haven't taken my career seriously ever. I am so grateful to the film industry, all my colleagues - be it a director or a producer or an actor - all were kind enough to keep giving me films.

"I don't have a PRO, neither do I have anyone to pitch for me. I don't believe in doing so. People who remember me give me a call directly," said Moushumi.

Asked about her future projects, she said: "You know I am at a stage in life where I have to be convinced about my role in a particular film. There should be some substance in the character and I should feel it's worth doing it. I didn't get any good offer. I am basically a very lazy person."

Moushumi isn't sure whether her daughter will choose acting as her career.

"She is really into the fashion world. It is too early to forecast whether she would be able to make it in Bollywood or not. I never knew that I would survive in the industry so long. When I was in 5th standard, I did Balika Badhu, but people still recognise me as balika badhu," she said.

"Megha started with modelling only. Then she shifted to films. She feels she can justify both. You have to get the movie or the offer. It has to go with your terms and condition." — IANS

Vikram Bhatt's latest horror film Shaapit may not have set the box office on fire but that has not diminished the confidence of the filmmaker, who feels that he can work without stars.

After 1920 and Shaapit, Vikram seems to be working primarily with newcomers and the director says it easier to have new faces than wait for the availability of stars, which delays your project.

"I do believe that there are some films that cannot be made without stars. But then the bitter truth is that those who are available are not saleable and while the ones who are saleable are not available.

"In such a case, the best choice for a filmmaker is to make him a brand name. As far as horror films are concerned, I guess Vikram Bhatt is a brand name. Now as long as I have that core competence, I don't need a star," Bhatt said.

Shaapit marked the debut of Bollywood playback singer Udit Narayan's son Aditya Narayan and Shweta Agarwal, but could not manage to make a similar impact as was the case in Raaz (Dino Morea, Bipasha Basu) or '1920' (Rajneesh Duggal, Adah Sharma), both of which had Bhatt at the helm of affairs.

But Bhatt, who has given hits like Ghulam and Kasoor in the past, defends his choice.

"I believe Aditya was always just the right face for Shaapit. He was the first and only choice and even after the release of the film, I am very positive about his future. He is a superstar in the making. He is also a very good singer," said Bhatt.

There is also a slight buzz in the industry that it was Udit's influence that helped Aditya bag 'Shaapit, but the director denies it.

"No, that's not true at all. Udit Narayan had nothing to with the casting decision for Shaapit. Of course, since Aditya is his son and I know him for decades, I approached him before signing Aditya," said Bhatt.

"The script of Shaapit was such that the leading man couldn't be shown indulging into anything heroic. In a horror film the protagonist should be vulnerable enough for audience to be worried about him. You can't have a six feet boxer and expect audience to worry about him. Instead, they should be scared for the lead couple," the filmmaker added. — PTI

His third release is Karan Johar's yet-to-be titled film, which is an adaptation of Chris Columbus' 1998 comedy drama Stepmom. "Stepmom will be released some time in August or September... looking forward to all three, all very different from each other, (I) had a great time making them," he said. While Housefull is a comedy directed by Sajid Khan and also stars Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, and Ritesh Deshmukh, Raajneeti is a political thriller written, directed, and produced by Prakash Jha. It also stars Ajay Devgn, Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor.In the Stepmom remake, Arjun has teamed up with Kajol and Kareena Kapoor. — IANS

Even as the entertainment industry experiments with different subjects to lure in more audiences, there is no sure-shot formula for success. But after the success of movies like Apne (a son's journey to fulfil his father's dream of winning the world boxing title; Chak De India (which showcases the undying spirit of Indian hockey) and now a Lahore-story based story on kickboxing, sports is currently the hot favourite with film-makers.

On the footsteps of Bollywood, Punjabi cinema is also taking a big leap in this direction with director Gurinder Dimpy's Ek Kabaddi Ek Mohabbat, which revolves around the theme of revival of the sport in Punjab. With Hashar fame actress Gurleen Chopra and new actor Dev Kharoud playing lead roles, the movie stars big guns of Punjabi cinema like Deep Dhillon, Gugu Gill, Gurpreet Ghuggi, Ranbir Rana, Shawinder Mahal and Sunita Dhir.

Produced by Jattitude Entertainment Private Limited, the movie will showcase how kabaddi has once again gained popularity.

"My economics tells me that anything on kabaddi would work well in Punjab. Seeing the success of sports-based movies in Bollywood, we thought it would be an interesting subject. Kabaddi was an obvious choice because this game has its roots in Punjab. It was almost forgotten, but NRIs are putting in a lot of effort to revive the game at the international level," says the director of the movie.

The story revolves around two friends who play kabaddi - Deep Dhillon and Gugu Gill - and how the former ditches the latter to grab an opportunity to move to Canada. "It is about the battle between sporting spirit and commercialisation of sports. In the end, Gugu manages to defeat wicked interests. It will be a delight to watch," he says.

Gurleen plays 'Raunak', an NRI who comes to India for a research project on rural sports and that's where she meets Dev. His father wants to make him a top-class kabaddi player, but he has no interest in the game. It is about how Raunak inspires Dev to take up the game seriously. 

Apart from the regular tambola, meals, masti and gossip, Aspiration Club's monthly get-together had some sweets and spices too.

"In order to give a platform to share the culinary talents, we had a cookery demo as well," said Neepa Arora, one of the founder members.

Around 50 members showed up to share their skills. Jasmeet Matharu shared the recipe of her chocolate truffle cake, as Ritu Jain revealed her salad's preparation and Shruti Sood taught fellow members making chutneys and pickles. "It was one interesting afternoon of fun and learning that one can use in day to day life," said Monica Singhal.

The children also followed their mother in tow dressed as fruit and vegetables - mango, tomato, grapes, carrot, spinach and bringal. Nistar Attarawala, all of 15 years kept women engaged with her tarot reading. "I was so keen to do something different. A Tarot kit and its instructions at the Internet helped me find this," she said as she took out one card after another.

This months's gifts were also prepared by one of the members Jaswinder Sohal. "I spent whole last day baking 20 cakes," she shared.

The club organises a theme-based gettogether every month to encourage member's talents.

Mein jis khyal se sanwra hoon kaun sanverega, Mein jis kuloos se nikhra hoon kaun nikhrega/ Kisi ko hai bhi saleeka chaman mein jeene ka, Mein jis skoon se bikhra hun kaun bikhrega…"

Proclaiming his admiration for his incredible literary contribution to Urdu literature, Padmashri Kashmiri Lal Zakir was honoured a memento, a robe and a cash prize of Rs 51,000 from Delhi CM Sheila Dixit on Monday.

Zakir was among the four eminent Urdu litterateurs awarded for lifetime contribution in the field of education especially the propagation of the Urdu language.

Credited with over 125 books, including novels, short stories, plays, travelogues, anthologies and books on adult and environmental education, Zakir had been bestowed with prestigious literary awards earlier. These include National Ghalib Award, Lifetime Achievement and Nuqoosh award both from Pakistan, Nehru National Literacy Award,

Shiromani Urdu Sahitkar Award, Sahir Ludhianvi and Fakahr-e-Haryana award besides NLM UNESCO award from the President of India. Not complacent, Zakir is still energetic at ripe age the 91. Zakir claims his novel Karmawali as his crowning literary achievement, which made waves in Pakistan and translated into many Indian languages.

Hostel number 4,5,6 will be any day more convenient, easy to remember and spell than Patel Hall, Lajpat Rai Hall, Teja Singh Hall. Alas! A practice, partly to perpetuate, great minds is somehow lost in the mechanical set up of things. For the uninitiated, Arts Block 1 is Shaheed Udham Singh Hall. Honestly, how many know Shaheed Bhagat Singh Hall is nothing but the adjoining Block 2. For this once, "what's in a name" practice applies. Number, signpost, department, block, anything but the name!

The idea is not to criticise or quiz, but just an exercise in quizzing random students on the campus. Opines Ritambra Singh from School of Communication Studies, "It's like whatever students find convenient to remember, or whatever terms are already prevalent and popular." She adds, "It's also because the students are not really interested in these personalities so they don't remember or even know the names." Or may be it's the other way round. Lack of knowledge accounts for less of interest.

Forget about the significance or history of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Hall, a significant ratio isn't aware it's the building that houses none other than Department of Laws. Shrugs Onkar Trehan, 2nd semester student, "That's because these names figure just on the buildings and probably nowhere else, neither on the magazines, or the forms."

A quick quiz and yes, even he was clueless! He laughs, "Why just me, I'm sure there must be lot many who wouldn't be knowing." One, two, three, looks like nobody seems to know Dewan Anand Kumar Hall. May be two in ten. But who hasn't been to one of the myriad administrative offices?

Defends Amanjot, another student, PU. "I know where Ranjit Chandra Hall is but that's it. May because I get to see it very often, it's written bold and prominent."

The reason to perpetuate the name is just the same as to inaugurate it. For the purpose, suggestions galore. "The popular terms and nomenclatures have been continuing ever since, that could be one of the reasons," opines Dr. Ashu Pasricha, faculty, Department of Gandhian Studies. She adds, "Not many are aware of it, let alone students, even I myself might not be knowing half the places. These names are recent, but yes, they can be made a part of everyday usage and popularized."

Puts in Onkar, "They can be written in bold and clear, at the entrance of the building or the department and wherever possible, used in the literature example forms, magazines."

Anyways, there seem a few exceptions. The AC Joshi library stands proud and tall, and well known so, the girls' hostels too are the saving grace. Says Ritambra, "I think as far as the girls hostels go, the names are popular and not their numbers. At least I know what my hostel is called and that's how we refer to it." And there lies the silver lining!

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Was it a weekend of active student NGOs? All playing social messiah, bringing a smile where needed, lending a hand where sought, making a difference, where it matters.

The weekend gone by has city-based NGOs and their local chapters do their bit.

And guess what? They seemed to have gone bigger and better.

At Sector-17 plaza it was a sight of celebration, charity in one go. Youth United celebrated its second anniversary, Youth United Day, by organizing its annual event Smiling Future-III.

Shares Aman Ahuja, presiding head, Chandigarh Chapter, Youth United, "We chose the venue Sector 17 plaza this time because it provides a bigger platform and there's also everything on a larger scale."

Jam-packed into the event were a nukkad natak performed by the group Osmium of UIET on female infanticide and drug de-addiction. Then there were performances by the underprivileged and mentally handicapped children of schools from across the city.

What followed was a dance performance on medley of songs, by the mentally challenged children from Regional Institute for Mentally Handicapped.

He adds, "At smiling future we've stuck to our tradition of providing a platform to the underprivileged to showcase their talent and this time we've entered our third year."

What's more? Prayas, the school for mentally challenged performed a group dance. That's not it. There was a skit by the children of Humari Kaksha. Puts in Love Upadhyay, the organiser, "Their performances made us realise, the entire effort was worthwhile. We did work hard, put in a lot but it's been completely rewarding and worth it." The idea was not just to raise funds but also to encourage the children.

Elsewhere, Environment Saviours, a city based student NGO, did its bit to promote and spread awareness about the Earth Hour, also spreading the message for global unity for environment. Yes the same event that had the activists pleading everyone to switch off from 8.30 to 9.30 pm. For the uninitiated, it's a voluntary switch off, of lights to promote environmental awareness among the mass with the central message

"Switch Off for the planet." The team was as innovative as analytical. Shares Brhamesh Alipuria, "We tried convincing the government to the put the message on all their websites. Even took out rallies at Lake, Sector 17 and even in university to spread the message far and wide." He adds, "There was also a mass SMS campaign forwarded to a lot of people." Weekend worth it! 

Hostel life might sound like a stereotypical forward, but that's how it goes. So the "4 am Maggie sessions" are not a figment of imagination, but practical reality. It's about mid night get-togethers, about making your visitors wait in your friends' room till you tidy up, about breaking the rules, going to the mess together, or even messing up together! Boarding life is like a safe of infinite memories.

With hostel farewells happening left, right and centre, it's just the right time to reopen the chapter. Shares Sanam Sood, UIAMS student, Hostel Number 5 resident, "Hostel life is an experience in itself and the bonding that we share is unparalleled. There are so many tales, just so many of them that if I actually sit down to narrate all of them, you'd have to write a book." He laughs, "Oh by the way, we actually gave the idea of writing a book, a serious thought too. Since we have so many authentic anecdotes." That's as far as the introductions to the hostel experience goes.

Shares Meenu Jajoria, law student, from Hostel Number 7, "Ours is a small and very new hostel, and we just finished with our own farewell. Our freshers' welcome was clubbed, but this we were like we'll have our own function and our hostel in-charge really helped us."

Cut the conversation to parties. She adds, "Our farewell was really good, we did some nice decorations, very colourful indeed and even used chunnis for it. Some of us were up the entire night before the function." Shares Sanam, "There is this very popular person in our hostel, our security guard who sings amazingly well. We anyways listen to him all year round, this time we asked him to sing." Presumably there's a streak of loyalty towards not just the institution but also its inhabitants. So much so, it spills over to political arena as well. Puts in Sanam, "If there's a fight with anyone, then generally it's against the entire hostel. Even when any student wants to stand for any representative post, we make sure he's from our hostel."

For those passing out, it's two-fold the loss, double the nostalgia. What they like the most is what they'll miss the maximum. "Boarding life teaches you like no else. It's a unique experience, no wonder the bonding that happens is very special and there are countless memories," shares Rajkumari Momota from Sarojini Hall hostel.

And yeah, they too just finished saying adieu to each other. "We had our farewell just a couple of days ago, there was a beautiful mini-cultural programme, a Bollywood dance by students, a Ladakhi dance, but more important it was fun." Yeah, it's fun!

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Britain is battling an underage-drinking epidemic, with thousands of under-18s being enrolled into rehab every year, according to medical experts and politicians. New figures show that 8,000 under-18s are being admitted to A&E every year for drink-related problems.

Most of the teenagers only drink at weekends and it's because, they think "it's fun". Experts have found that adolescents are drinking to get drunk and so vodka is their tipple of choice. However, they are not very keen on alcopops, for they don't drink them, as they don't contain enough alcohol. Troubled teens drink more often.

The drunken kids take huge risks with their safety. In fact, one girl jumped into the canal and another boy ran into a wall. The teenagers say they feel free, uninhibited and brave.

These youngsters save their pocket money, or have Saturday jobs and then pool it all together to buy the cheapest alcohol on sale.

They also get cash from their parents by saying it is for the cinema or a McDonald's. To get their hands on the booze, the underage drinkers have fake IDs, older friends or they hang around outside off-licenses asking people to buy it. They say one in five people will buy booze for them. Sometimes parents even buy their children alcohol because they know they will drink it anyway and want to have some measure of control. The teenagers use the word "confidence" a lot when talking about why they drink. They think that it makes them tell the truth, which they think would not be possible if they are sober. — ANI

A new study has linked teenagers' music choices to the horror of failing to conform to their peers. Gregory Berns, Chair of Neuroeconomics at Emory Univerity in the US, conducted the research on teenagers listening to songs on social networking sites.

"We wanted to know, when you see a four or five-star rating of something, does that make you like it more?" a publication, quoted Dr Berns as saying. Boffins found the adolescents were more likely to change their music preference after realising the tracks were popular with other people of their age. "We can't deny the fact we care a lot about what people think. A lot of people think we are individuals and in democratic societies we have freedom of choice. Actually, we're slaves to what other people think." The findings have been published in the journal NeuroImage. — ANI

A book has been returned to a library in the UK after 62 years from the time it was borrowed. Dudley Frosdick, who was a teenager then, had taken a copy, of 'Riceyman Steps' by Arnold Bennett, out of the library in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk post Second World War.

Now, late Frosdick's brother David, 61, has returned the tome to the library after he found it while clearing out the home of their other brother John in Yarmouth following his death three years ago aged 63. In the post war Britain, books and radio were the primary source of entertainment, reports a publication. — ANI