The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - The Tribune Lifestyle

Make a move
Jasmine Singh

This summer, plan a cool trip to some of these worthwhile getaways

A room at Emerald Trail

An old, nearly tattered, map bundled under a pile of books finally makes its way to the drawing room table. Sweltering sun, showing no signs of mercy, piercing hot wind and all those drinks of little help; it definitely is the time to look east, west, north and south for cooler options!

As the little Sunny suggests daddy treks a glacier, mummy is gung-ho on checking out some luxurious lodge nestled between Deodar trees. We bring in a list of places you can head for this summer. Make sure you have 4-5 days, if not quickly prepare a list of sure-shot excuses to bunk work! All set`85here we go then.

Mountains calling

The Taj Safari

For the first time, India has opened up nearly 100 high-altitude Himalayan peaks in India-controlled Kashmir for foreign tourists. The peaks to be opened for trekking and mountaineering are situated at an altitude ranging from 9,842 ft to 25,590 ft, and are mostly in the Eastern Karakoram mountain range of Ladakh. Till then, we wait for someone to come back and tweet some pictures of the places!

Another place that is a good summer getaway is the Nun Kun range, which comprises two Himalayan peaks Nun (7,135m) and Kun (7,077m). The Nun Kun range is situated in the Suru valley of Jammu & Kashmir, around 100 km east of Srinagar. A good destination to check out provided you are the adventure kinds. Those looking for relaxation, we've something else for you. July, August and September is the ideal time to travel. Turning to the beautiful trek in Jammu and Kashmir- Stok Kangri (6100 mts). Located 25 kms southwest of Leh, the trip can be finished within 10-15 days. The best part, you do not require any kind of training prior to this.

And if you have little more adventure in your mind, take a trip to Nubra (means Valley of flowers) Valley, the most recently opened area of Ladakh. Located in the north of Leh, 120 kms across the Khardung La. Bactarian camels (double-humped) and monasteries of Deskit and Samstaling are worth visiting. This isn't the end; there are other treks and glaciers that can be explored.

Chalets cottage in Naldhera

Now, if you are a braveheart, this option is just for you. It might dig a hole in your pocket, however, it is worth trying once in life. A trekking trip to the base camp of Everest, which trip takes 15-20 days, and a healthy heart!

Last resort

It is not a Herculean task to find adventure and it is equally easy to combat it. This does not mean the challenge lies in finding luxury; it lies in affording it! This summer pamper yourself; make up your mind to splurge extra.

The Chalets, Naldehra, is a resort in the Himalayan mid-hills, 22 kms from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, which is worth exploring. Located at a height of 6000 ft, The Chalets offers log houses, manicured lawns, Ayurvedic treatments, treks to adjacent forest and much more.

A view of the Nun Kun mountain range

And what can get better than a holiday resort in some national park? The Solluna resort, a Sarovar Hotel at Jim Corbett National Park, offers the much-needed respite from hectic city life. Located in the midst of the Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, the resort is situated on a riverbank. On offer are elephant safaris, horse-riding trips and other facilities.

Soak in some more nature at the Fishermen's Lodge in Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, which is a seven hours drive from Delhi. And just above Bhimtal, surrounded by meadows and pastures, is the quiet cottage, Emerald Trail, located 6,500 ft above the sea level. Surrounded by tall pine trees and oak thickets, the place provides spacious cottages for tourists. Also worth a visit is the Shewani Hilltop resort in Nainital. One can also go out for kayaking and boating in the Nainital, Bhimtaal, Naukutchiyatal and Saattaal lakes.

Wild move

Yes, it is summers. But, it is also the time to explore the wilderness. Taj Safaris offer a chance to explore Kahna, Panna, Pench and Bandhavgarh National Parks in Madhya Pradesh. You can select from 'Wilderness Gateway' or 'Jungle Escapade' plans from April 16 to June 30. The Wilderness Gateway plan is for Rs 11,000 per person per night, and the Jungle Escapade plan for Rs 13,500 per person per night.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

The missing link
Vikram Jit Singh

Flying Sikh Milkha Singh’s passion for hunting is a fact known only to a few

Lesser men were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Flying Sikh Milkha Singh tasted blood. He saw it; was an eyewitness to his parents and siblings butchering during Partition.

As kids, Milkha Uncle would never tire of narrating his inspirational stories to us. Of the time when training so hard for the Olympics in Pune, he would vomit blood. Fellow athletes would throw him into his dormitory bed. The indomitable Flying Sikh would be up at 3 am to train again. As the cameras load to capture this remarkable story of blood and guts in Rakeysh Mehra's Bhag Milkha Bhag, a compelling story in the Flying Sikh's life may never see celluloid immortality. This was the Flying Sikh's passion for 'shikar' (hunting), from the 1960s to the early 1980s.

Long before the Flying Sikh got hopelessly addicted to golf, weekends in the delicious cold of North Indian winters were reserved for shooting. The Flying Sikh, who proudly claims lineage from the Rathore Rajput clan, would be up at 4 am with his son Jeev; his imported guns primed for expeditions into Chandigarh's surrounding countryside.

Jeev was then Chiranjeev. A small fellow, with coils of hair tied on the top of his head and held fast by a sparkling white handkerchief and red rubber band. As we drove into the villages, the Flying Sikh's arrival would startle peasants.

Milkha Uncle would not hesitate to don the brightest of colours for 'shikar'. A red turban was his royal emblem. He would even wear a formal synthetic shirt with a necktie on rare occasions and the India blazer as well.

And, to the eternal blessings of the God that looks after wild creatures, the Flying Sikh was not the best of marksmen. In a memorable shoot in the Kalesar jungles of Yamunanagar, the Flying Sikh missed a huge Sambhar stag that stood within five yards of him. Milkha Uncle promptly blamed the faulty Iranian buckshot cartridges for the mishap. The Flying Sikh always seemed to honour the dictum of his shooting companion and my father, the late Sardar Man Mohan Singh, to shoot just enough partridges to keep the evening pot boiling. Milkha Uncle would expend a box of 25 KF shotgun cartridges at the flying birds but bag just a partridge-and-a-half!

A wild boar, with splendid tusks, presented a shot at Kalesar but the Flying Sikh would not press the trigger. He did not want to tempt the legendary rage of a wounded boar!

Fate's benign twists ensured that decades later a golden chapter would be scripted in India's golfing history. Crossing a river near Nangal during a partridge shoot organised by the legendary Tikka Shiv Chand Bhallan, the country boat started to leak like rat-nibbled Swiss cheese. The Flying Sikh quickly seized up the situation and latched himself onto the sturdy shoulders of a village pehelwan accompanying us and swam to safety!

The rest, including six-year-old Jeev, slowly sank in the mossy green waters. A dramatic rescue by nearby villagers saved the day for us, even as the Flying Sikh encouraged us not to panic from his perch on the opposite bank! Jeev lived to fly his golf ball across the water hazard at Augusta National's 15th hole in the company of Tiger Woods, the first Indian to grace the Masters Tournament.

The Flying Sikh's adventures had us kids giggling away but he took humour at his expense in good stride. All his life, the one story that would not go away was when he declined a night hunt in the elephant-infested jungles of Lal Daang, near Hardwar. His fellow hunters came back to the Lal Daang forest rest house the next morning to find a village dhobi being regaled by the Flying Sikh's anecdotes of athletic triumphs. The dhobi confessed that a lonely Flying Sikh had hired him to keep away the elephants that strayed into the rest house at night, evidenced by the dung that littered the derelict rest house's verandah! The Flying Sikh soon restored his 'shikari' pride by bagging a dangerous leopard!

Years later, as we grew into young men eyeing Chandigarh's beautiful maidens, 'shikar' remained an abiding metaphor. With a twinkle in his eye, a couple of pegs of Scotch down his rusty throat, the Flying Sikh would stroke his dyed beard and inquire about our success at 'shikar''. And, extract a jovial promise from us to spare a 'juicy leg or two' for old Uncle Milkha!

What’s playing?
Manpriya Khurana

Here’s a sneak peek into the TV channels that are a hit with students inside PU hostels’ common rooms

Common rooms, what's playing? The majority rules; first-cum-first-served is a principle and the hand that rules the remote, rocks the room! Here's a sneak peek into the common rooms of some of the varsity and college hostels. Sadly, the stereotypes reflect. So, sports is for boys and soaps are for girls.

By the way, music channels are the fillers, for the in-between timings or before the houseful in the evenings. When we entered Sarojini Hall, MTV was blaring!

Laughs Amit Kumari, from University Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology, "Over here, soap operas rule. So, Colors, Star Plus and these kind of channels dominate. Evening crowd is maximum, that's when these serials begin, at around seven."

There's more to come. She adds, "News channels and wildlife channels like Discovery etc are a big no." There's a validation from the adjoining Kasturba Hall. Shares Tulika Kakkar, from Department of English and Cultural Studies, "Soap operas are a staple here, so channels like Star Plus and Colors are on especially during the evenings. Or at times, they are playing dance shows. A very selective crowd watches Star Movies, HBO etc."

Going by what's being said, the rules of the game change with gender. Shares Alok Ranjan, UIET student, from hostel number 7, "These days IPL is what everybody watches. Otherwise also, the common room's full during any cricket series. Sometimes, it's the wrestling matches we watch. Mostly, it's sports."

And what of soap operas? He adds, "One does get to see news channels as well, but no daily soaps or family dramas."

Those who love defying stereotypes, breaking popular myths, will be sorry and sad, but that's how it goes. Sukrant, ex-hosteller, hostel number 1, PU, shares, "These days it's the IPL. At times, it's reality show Roadies…basically anything related to action or sports."

There are a lot of unsaid rules and though rivalry is rare, it's still present. As Tulika says, "Of course, there are catfights, quite often. But there's an unsaid rule, we cannot change the channel if something's already playing. You can only request for a change." Isn't that a repeat almost everywhere else? The audience changes, tastes don't, television sets differ…settings don't!

That's not to say, there aren't any pros. Shares Amit Kumari, "Oh you get a complete theatre feel. With everybody laughing or commenting together in the evenings, it's like a houseful. There is no place to even sit." As long as it's fun watching together!

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Kiss it goodbye

A kiss is certainly the best way to express love, but for female students at Edinburgh University it spells trouble - they are dropping out after falling ill by contracting what has been tagged 'the kissing disease'.

A study followed 57 students who developed glandular fever during their studies, tracking their symptoms and recovery. And, it was found that women lost more study time and had more severe symptoms than their male counterparts with the illness. Now, the experts are hoping that the findings could help reduce cases of glandular fever and its effects. This could include directing vaccines, currently being developed, to those groups most at risk. The study found that women suffered worse from glandular fever than men in several ways-on average, the female patients missed 16 hours of classes because of the illness compared to three hours for men. Women also experienced severe tiredness, one of the main symptoms of the disease, for twice as long as men, at four months compared to two months. For both men and women, study time was reduced by an average of 25 hours a week after being diagnosed. Researcher Karen McAulay said that it was not yet known why woman seemed to suffer worse than men."

We are not sure why that would be the case at all. They tended to report their disease being more severe. They had more effects such as not being able to swallow, not being able to take exercise, not being able to go to classes or have social activities," the Scotsman quoted her as saying. "Even at the six months follow-up, the women were more likely to say that they had tiredness and fatigue than the men," she added. McAulay said there were vaccines in development which could be used to vaccinate students against glandular fever in future.

"You need to know who is most likely to be affected and how they will be affected to determine the best usage of the vaccine. That is what these studies are primarily for - to see who would be the best groups to target," she said. Dr Karen Macsween, lead researcher on the study, said: "There is clear evidence that glandular fever may affect both the academic and social activities of students, particularly in the case of female students. "Depending on the severity of the illness, this may have an adverse effect on a student's overall performance at university." The study has been published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. — ANI

Dance with me
Jasmine Singh

Anything Indian - from jokes on Santa Banta, Dal Makhani, a Satya Paul designer sari with Indian motifs, My name is Khan — Shah Rukh Khan, green-eyed Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her fashion faux paux, AR Rahman's Jai Ho, to the latkaa-jhatkaas of Bollywood — is a craze in western countries.

So, when Panchkula-based Karan Joshi (28) decided to move to Florida to teach dance, he sure knew that Bollywood sells like hot cakes. But minting money wasn't his sole purpose. Especially when he already has a BMW 316i converted into M3, a Mercedes Benz and a Hayabusa bike parked at his Panchkula residence.

"I have been doing stage shows since I was five. I acted in Punjabi albums, and also did a small role with Bobby Deol in the movie Badal," Karan sheepishly puts across. "But dancing is something I have been gung-ho about, always."

Karan teaches different dance forms in Florida and California. "I have nearly 30-40 people in a batch, both Indian as well as those from other communities. Each one of them wants to move like a Hrithik Roshan or Priyanka Chopra," he says. As per Karan, the credit for popularising Bollywood dance goes to directors like Karan Johar. Slumdog Millionaire has added another feather to the cap. The dance sequence of Jai Ho is as popular as the dance form."

Wondering, what they 'firangs' do with Bollywood dancing? "It is a good career option," Karan replies. "I also work with Laila Musical Company that arranges dancers for Bollywood and Hollywood nights."

Apart from shaking a leg like Hrithik Roshan, Karan tells us about his singing talent. "I can sing in Hindi, English and Punjabi. I can sing O Carol by Tazz pretty well."

"The western world appreciates our country in terms or art and culture more than what we do. Practising art fetches easy recognition. Needless to say, one has to be extremely good at it," he signs off.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Well versed!
SD Sharma

Poetry is regarded as the mother of all literary arts, especially the ghazal for its ability to express the whole gamut of human emotions. It is imperative for a poet or lyricist to be familiar with prosody, the science of versification. By and large, poets lack the proper knowledge and the grammar of poetry. But to the delight of young aspiring poets and writers, the Mohali-based octogenarian author, Subedar Piara Singh Piar, has come out with a classic book, Pingal tonh Arooz.

This treatise for the poets was released recently at a well-attended function organised by Punjabi Lekhak Sabha at the Punjab Kala Bhavan.

Releasing the book, chief guest DS Saroya called it a milestone in Punjabi literature, especially in the genre of ghazal and complimented Piara Singh for his 10 years of hard labour on the project. Harnam Singh Shaan, HS Bhattey, RS Faraz , Harnam Singh Dalla, Iqbal Singh Dhillon, Labh Singh, Sudershan Walia and Siri Ram Arsh offered their views on the book.

Born in Lyalapur, Pakistan, Piara Singh had no formal education except a Gyani in Punjabi before joining the Army after Partition.

"This is my fourth book. The ingredients of ghazal, chhand and poetry have been clearly defined and their formation illustrated through 300 ghazals, which will be a guiding force for budding writers," he said. He signed off not before quoting a couplet by poet Zaved, "Sukhan ( poetry) mein dastkari badh rahi hei , Ghazal ke kaarkhane lag rahe hain."

Not so tweet

Shah Rukh Khan does it, so do Salman and Aishwarya. Even as the rest of Bollywood goes gaga over Twitter, Ranbir Kapoor says that he does not understand the hype surrounding the micro-blogging website. Though the heartthrob is a member of the website, his first and last tweet came some eight months ago and Ranbir says that the popularity of the website is a mystery to him. "It's a mystery to me. I don't want to tell people 'I am eating now', 'Now I am walking to the bathroom'. I don't understand the need to share these boring details of my daily routine with the whole world. I don't think I am interested in Twitter that much," said Ranbir who was in the capital for a product launch of an electronics label.The actor who has had a string of hits the past year, including Wake Up Sid and Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani, says that he would prefer his work to speak for him instead of tweeting.

"I prefer to let my work speak and I like to communicate with my fans through the kind of films that I do," said the actor.Meanwhile, the actor's ex-girlfriend Deepika Padukone is a regular on Twitter and had recently met up with Shammi Kapoor for a coffee date after being invited by the veteran actor through the website.Padukone was surprised to know that the 78-year-old, who is also the uncle of Ranbir was on Twitter, which has become the favourite haunt of Bollywood stars. — PTI

Celebration time

Bollywood star couple Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai are set to ring in their third wedding anniversary on Tuesday in the US, according to sources close to the actors.

Abhishek's father Amitabh Bachchan on his blog Sunday said the couple was taking a flight to New York.

A source close to the couple said, "The two have gone to an undisclosed destination and will be back in time for the music release of Raavan on April 24."

Abhishek too posted on his Twitter page: "...It's Houdini time again. Have managed to abduct the wife. See you all soon."

According to another source, the duo have been planning this holiday so that they could spend some time together after keeping busy with their respective shooting schedules.

Last year, the actors took out time for a week-long vacation while they were shooting for Mani Ratnam's Raavan, which is among their most awaited films this year.

On their first anniversary, Abhishek was busy shooting in Miami for Dostana, but wife Aishwarya joined him there. — IANS

Brush with fame
Gagan K Teja

Master Saleem is a name that needs no introduction. In Patiala to perform on the concluding day of the techno-fest 'Joust-2010', organised by University College of Engineering, Punjabi University, he spoke of his career and future projects.

Born in Shahkot, near Jalandhar, on July 13, 1980, Saleem has created a niche for himself not only in the Punjabi music industry but Bollywood as well. He has to his credit songs in films like Heyy Babyy (2007), Dostana and Love Aaj Kal (2009). Saleem has also released private albums in Punjabi|as well as those of Sufi music.

Son of famous Sufi singer Ustad Pooran Shah Koti, also guru of the likes of Hans Raj Hans, Jasbir Jassi and Sabar Koti, Saleem became his disciple at the age of six and started learning music. At age 10, he gave his first public performance at the opening ceremony of Bathinda Doordarshan (TV station), with the song Charkhe Di Ghook, which earnedf him the title of Master Saleem.

Saleem made his Bollywood debut with the hit number Mast Kalandar from the Heyy Babyy (2007). Making rapid strides, Saleem has now forayed into Hollywood and sung for Carry On Pandu, the music for which has been given by Michael Brooke.

Saleem is now set for his acting debut with Satish Kaushik's Jaise Taise, which also stars Ayesha Takia and Riya Sen. He informs that the movie has a total of six songs, three solos and other duets. "I have sung the duets with Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan and the legendary Asha Bhosle. Singing with Asha Bhosle was the most memorable moment of my life. The music for the movie has been given by Pritam and the songs are by Samir."

`And the next album? "It is an eight-song album titled Jind Mahi. It will hit the market next month," he signs off.

For kids’ sake

Angelina Jolie

Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie is even more motivated to perform daring stunts in her movies these days as she thinks her children like it.

The Lara Croft: Tomb Raider star, who raises six children with partner actor Brad Pitt, insists that motherhood inspires her to take up tougher film-set stunts since her kids think its cool.

"The funny thing about having children is that now I am twice as motivated to do a cool stunt because my kids will like it," said Jolie.

Her latest movie Salt, about a CIA agent accused of being a Russian sleeper spy, called for a lot of tough action scenes. Jolie prides herself on performing her own stunts and being a mother is not going to change that.

"I had just had two babies, and the push to be physically strong was very welcomed at the time," said Jolie, who is currently filming The Tourist with Johnny Depp. - PTI

Work at hand

His 1999 debut Vaastav depicted the dark underbelly of Mumbai and brought him acclaim as filmmaker but Mahesh Manjrekar believes that his latest film City of Gold, about the condition of city's mill workers in 80s, deals with a much larger issue.

"This film is 100ft ahead of Vaastav. I feel blessed to be a filmmaker now. I have no qualms or fears about how the audience is going to react to it. I have done my job," said Manjrekar, who was in the city to promote City Of Gold.

Vaastav starring Sanjay Dutt highlighted the harsh realities of the life in the Mumbai underworld. Manjrekar, who has also made a mark as an actor in films like Kaante, Zinda and Slumdog Millionaire. — PTI

Launch PAD
Touchwood

Vista, has created a distinctive niche in home fashions including window dressings and home furnishing accessories. Expanding horizons, Vista also forayed in to laminate wooden floorings, which have become the hottest fad in interior décor.

Recognised in the market for its interior solution and support, Vista now presents AC - 4 premium range of flooring. Produced in Germany in the most modern and state- of the art plant these beautiful floors carry a manufacturer's warranty of 15 years against all manufacturing defects. The maximum price for AC-4 laminate wooden flooring has been set at a range of Rs.121 per sq ft.