Finding her way
Nonika Singh

Puneetinder Kaur Sidhu, who loves to travel alone, shares her European experiences in her maiden book Adrift

In Amsterdam I had my bottom felt by a woman." This is one of the many anecdotes that pepper Puneetinder Kaur Sidhu's eminently readable travel book Adrift. Her maiden step in the literary world, it recounts her journey across Europe. Lest you make the Amsterdam experience a benchmark for more mirch masala let it be known that Puneetinder resisted all persuasion to spice up her first book. Of course, when she approached publishers with her manuscript she was asked to sex it up and fictionalise it.

"A first time writer," she rues, "goes through a lot, including denial of A list publishers." But as she stood her ground, she not only found a publisher in Mumbai but also favourable reviews. And the one that compared her unfavourably to Pico Iyer too she takes as a compliment.

"Travel as a genre," she feels, "is yet to pick up in Indian writing. Besides much like William Dalrymple's books are served as travel though in effect these are history, culture and much more." But isn't travel more than just seeing places? She, who believes in St Augustine's words, 'The world is a book and those who don't travel read only one page', quips, "Indeed, travel is an education in itself."

Of course, what put her on the travel path was not quest for knowledge but the adrenalin rush that it provides. Actually, she finds travel more exciting than anything else, including meeting a man. Her stint with Singapore Airlines ensured that she would have her fair share of it. Somewhere along she realised she had a flair for translating her sojourns into words. Besides writing travel pieces for magazines and websites, she even wrote a travel and food column in a national daily.

One fine day she thought, why not write more than 500 words? As out poured a torrent of 35,000 words, she knew she had found the natural progression from writing articles to book. Adrift, however, is not about her Singapore days but one particular journey that lasted good five months. She agrees that travel is personal experience and since she has written it as first person narrative the "I" is immanent though not afflicted by the narcissist "I, me, myself" syndrome. What makes her travel special is not only that she travelled alone but also that is not about some super luxury vacation but the cheapest way of moving through the European continent.

The magic word she reveals is mitfahrzentrale, a website that leads you to a carpool system where all you pay for is the petrol. Of course, the hitch lies in the fact that you have to find a driver who is heading where you want to. All by herself, amidst strangers, wasn't it a dangerous proposition? She laughs, "Yes, my aunt who is a German did try to dissuade me." But as she drifted from Austria "a dream come true" to France "Paris was a bit of disappointment" to many other countries like Hungary and the Great Britain in the company of housewives, executives, businessmen and people who knew English and many with whom conversation was impossible, she has no unsavoury tales to tell. Was she plain lucky? Perhaps. While she advocates that women should travel alone she offers a piece of advice — Don't get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

In fact, all through her odyssey she laid a set of cardinal rules for herself, which you can follow too. Besides the practical ones like - walk instead of taking a cab — she also strictly forbade herself — no falling in love with the driver, no summer romances. Above all, she decided to skip tourist destinations. She reasons, "In the mad rush to catch up with tourist hotspots, one misses the fun and the thrill of the unknown. A traveller may not be a discoverer suddenly hit by a revelation - Eureka I have found it. But sure is a wanderer who moves about with a sense of wonder and mystery."

Anyway, she makes a clear-cut distinction between a tourist and a traveller and quotes Paul Theroux, "Tourists don't know where they have been, travellers don't know where they are going`85." Of course, her pen knows where it is halting next. It is in the picturesque abode of Gods - Himachal Pradesh. Set formulae to write travelogues, she hasn't figured out as yet. But bitten by wanderlust this wanderer isn't likely to stop her physical and literary journey anytime soon.

nonika@tribunemail.com

Jumbo theory
Neha Walia

Absolutely fit
Jasmine Singh

Shah Rukh Khan with Prashant Samant

Shah Rukh Khan's six pack abs would have almost made it into some record book had our Ghajini boy not startled everyone with his eight ka punch! Just when we were thinking about macho Saif, John Abraham or Sanjay Dutt coming with a higher numerical configuration in the 'ab race', the dark horse of the industry Ajay Devgun flashed his pictures of a fabulous, well-toned body, sans the abs.

And the buzz is everyone, fitness freaks from the industry as well as outside it, have appreciated Ajay's new 'body-shody' look. Of course yes, Sallu Baba has all the reason to envy; the hunks of Bollywood have turned their focus from acting classes to classes in 'ab building'!

Before, we go any further in this, how about zooming our attention to people who made all this possible - SRK's six, Aamir's eight and others who are helping celebrities get into fabulous shapes. Not only this, these are the people who sweat it out to decide the regimen best suited for the stars (and their tantrums too)!

Now that King Khan was a trendsetter in this, the guy who helped him achieve the six-pack ab feat definitely deserves the first mention - 23-year-old Prashant Samant of Body Sculptor.

For Prashant this is was quite a challenge, but he credits SRK for his dedication and hardwork. Offers Prashant, who also trains celebrities like Sharman Joshi, Aftaab Shivdasani, Vatsal Seth, Amrita Rao, "Celebrities whether from Bollywood, fashion or television understand the importance of fitness coupled with a good body structure. Besides, they also acknowledge that exercising is the only good stress buster in their strenuous lifestyles."

Prashant has seen a rise in the number of celebs wanting to work out in the gymnasium for a great body. More after Shah Rukh Khan's episode, we believe? He smiles, "Kind of. Ajay Devgun is really working hard on his body." He goes on to discuss how the six-pack ab was made possible.

"SRK would train everyday for one-and-a-half hour under a proper regimen and diet. He was on a low carbohydrate diet, more proteins, salads, egg white etc. The good part about Shah Rukh was that he was dedicated and never questioned me. No tantrums al all."

Almost 10 years in the fitness industry, Prashant offers that every actor needs a particular kind of exercise. "I plan to start my own fitness academy," shares Prashant who is also training Adnan Sami.

Quite a task! With more and more celebrities spending time in gyms or hiring personal fitness trainers, (forget about the abs), body-building is the new buzz around. Who can forget the Badmaash chocolate hero Shahid Kapoor and his 'well-abbed' (nobody gave us the count) running with the horse blinds or John and the 'butt' show!

Says Satish, personal fitness trainer for actor Gavie Chahal of TV serial Mohe Rang De Fame, "It goes without saying that stars like Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, SRK and Aamir Khan are the trendsetters, however, most actors these days realise the importance of a good body."

"Sometimes a role demands the actor to have a great body and sometimes they are required to lose weight. Contrary to what people think, losing and gaining weight is not harmful. But it should be done under proper guidance. Actors usually don't have time to go the gym, so they hire personal trainers," he adds. For Gavie, Satish has developed a special 5-point chart that takes care of his diet and exercise schedule when he is travelling.

Now next time you see Aamir without any abs or a muscular Imraan Khan, you know who did it!

jasmine@tribunemail.com

Shake a leg
Neha Walia

Dance has never been a classroom subject. In fact, it has never been a subject. It has always been a way of life, a cultural activity, a passion and, well, a medium for entertainment, but never a subject.

But Fatima Khanam is here to make that happen. Lets us introduce her as a choreographer for the past 10 years, who has taught corporates to shake a leg, made leggy models walk in rhythm at international fashion weeks, groomed beauty queens (Miss Punjanban on ETC) and judged reality shows, 'Nachle Yaara' on ETC as well). Oh and did we mention, assisted Farah Khan in Main Hoon Naa (that should have been the first on list).

And as a preview to her forthcoming dance academy by the name of Fatima Khanam Films, in collaboration with The British School, Fatima is conducting a 15-day workshop with the students of the school.

"Dance is the best way to express yourself. And with kids there is so much to express. They are happy and free when dancing. And it feels great to see that happen," says Fatima, who has won the ETC channel's best choreographer award.

Well, a dozen-a-dime children dance reality shows on television are a proof of that. "Their minds are too tender, either they have a natural flair for dance or they don't. Kids should be left free to express in any possible way."

But the choreographer, who follows contemporary styles like hip-hop, jive, salsa, ballet, waltz, etc, maintains that talent hunts are a good way to make people aware of contemporary forms of dance. "Dance sequences are becoming more real and better styles are being experimented with. Though the old school has its own charm, the change feels nice," she says.

Having done movies like Jugaad, Zindagi Rocks, Delhi Heights and working with Ajay Jadeja (Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas), is dance everybody's cup of tea?

"Dance is each to his own. I have trained corporates who thought they can't even move. But after the first step, all falls in place." And Fatima is all set to launch her dance group, Anonymous, in the city soon.

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

Run for a cause

The invite has already been dispatched to students of Panjab University. Various engineering college students have been requested to join in. Employees from big companies, including Airtel and Tech Mahindra, are invited as well. The event is 'iRUN' 2010 and Prayaas, NGO of Infosys Technologies, is playing the perfect host.

Now when all formalities of sending invitations are over, Prayaas is expecting a decent turn out at the venue, Sukhna Lake on Sunday. Why? "Because the cause concerns all of us. There is no bigger issue than environment," says Ashish Bansal, Programme Manager, iRUN. A minimum of 600 participants are expected to be present for the event. The four-kilometre rally will begin and culminate at the Sukhna Lake.

Says Abhishek Goyal, Prayaas Lead, "The run aims to create awareness among people as to how they can judiciously use water during summers." Placards and posters on how to save the environment will be carried during the rally.

The event is yet another example of the growing role of the corporate sector in highlighting social issues. "The corporate sector has enough financial resources and manpower to promote such causes that would be difficult for NGOs to take up," says Kinshuk Malhotra, senior associate manager, Facilities.

Infosys works on a four-point programme that includes conservation of environmental resources and prevention of pollution. "All are welcome to join the rally, the only condition being registration," informs Abhishek. — TNS

Watch out!

Akshaya Tritiya' (on May 16) is a day on which buying and wearing gold is considered auspicious. And if women can chose from the plenty of options available, Titan offers some stylish solutions for men.

Their recently launched Nebula limited edition Calligraphy watches, crafted in solid 18K gold, are inspired from Devnagiri and have beautiful dials. You can pick from bare-gold bracelets, staid leather straps or diamond-studded ones as well.

As for women, watches in solid gold 'karas', dainty, delicate bracelets adorned with pearls, diamonds and precious stones are on display.

Nebula also offers gold coins from Tanishq, embossed with Goddess Lakshmi, on the purchase of every watch. It is valid for the entire Nebula range.

"Nebula blends Indian penchant for gold with fashion, which makes for excellent accessory options both for men and women. Our Rohit Bal-inspired collection got a huge response from city folks," says Abhishek Ravichand, area sales manager, Titan.

The next Nebula heritage collection is inspired by the forts of Rajasthan and would be available in a few months time.

(On offer at all World of Titan showrooms till May 17). — TNS

Watt’s the matter?

The last fang

The last of the Twilight saga will be out in 2011 as Hollywood studio behind the hit teen vampire series on Wednesday set a November 18, 2011, release date for the film version of the last of the four novels. But no one knows if Breaking Dawn will be made into one film or two. The Twilight movies from independent studio Summit Entertainment are based on the hugely popular books of the same name by Stephenie Meyer. The books and movies tell of a teenager named Bella Swan who falls in love with the immortal vampire, Edward Cullen.

The last film, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, made nearly $710 million at worldwide box offices after its November 2009 release. That was the second installment in the franchise. The next film, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, is due out June 30, and with former horror film director David Slade getting behind the camera, Hollywood watchers expect it to take on darker tones than the first two films. Summit has said that The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn will be directed by Bill Condon, who made the 2006 musical movie Dreamgirls and co-produced this year's Academy Awards.

Since Breaking Dawn is the last novel in Meyer's Twilight book series, some in Hollywood have speculated that Summit might try to reap the most from the novel by dividing it into two films. Summit on Wednesday said it would not confirm whether it plans one Breaking Dawn film or two. — IANS

Battle over

Hollywood actor Charlie Sheen has surrendered legal custody of his two children with ex-wife Denise Richards. The Two and A Half Men star has been embroiled in a bitter custody battle over daughters — six-year-old Sam and four-year-old Lola Rose — since divorcing Richards in 2006. The pair called a truce by celebrating New Year's Eve together with an intimate family gathering at the actress' home in Los Angeles.

Sheen and Richards have both signed a written document giving full legal custody to the Wild Things actress. Richards was seeking full custody following Sheen's marital problems with current wife Brooke Mueller.

— IANS

Balancing act

Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow feared her marriage would have been over if she had worked any harder. "I worked so much in my twenties and then I had these two beautiful kids and I just wanted to be home with them. It's probably not the best thing for your career but my kids are my priority," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Paltrow as saying. "I could throw myself into my career and then I'd probably lose my marriage. You have to be mindful of your balance. My family is super important to me. You don't want to get too career oriented and lose that," she said. — IANS