The allure of azaan (the call for prayer) proved much stronger than the corridors of power he was forced to walk in. So, after a couple of years in the political arena, Hans Raj Hans is back to where he belongs — the poetry of Baba Bulle Shah, Rumi, and music that spreads love. He is all set to mark his comeback with an album Ik Ishara, scheduled for release soon.

So what was the ishara that told him to quit politics and come back to the wondrous world of music? "I didn't understand it," says Hans Raj as he makes himself comfortable as a guest at The Tribune office, and by that he didn't mean his ignorance about the state of affairs but his role in it. We probe a little more - what precisely about politics that he did not find palatable and his answer comes straight from the heart, "When I did not understand it, what was there to like or dislike?"

So, we shift ground to something he understands or, rather, lives - music. "I have recently recorded a song for a film called Patiala House. For the first time I have sung in Hindi and Urdu for my forthcoming album," he fills us in. That's not the only USP of Ik Ishara. Hans Raj is also experimenting with the music too. "Though the songs fall in the genre of light classical and ghazal, the background music has elements of Arabian music. We have roped in an Egyptian music director for the purpose," says Hans Raj. And all the experimentations are not just to prove his mettle in the market, but to prove it to himself that he still has what it takes to be a singer.

What about the fear of losing out to the new players, who have mushroomed in his long absence, we wonder and we wonder aloud. "I am not scared of competition as I know I have had made my place, not through videos but my voice and my devotion to Sufism."

But then is not every third singer claiming to be a Sufi singer? "Most of them barely know the meaning of Sufism. They think by adding the word Allah, a song becomes a Sufi song. You have to have the junoon and live the wisdom of Sufism to call yourself a Sufi singer," he counteracts.

That reminds us about one of his earlier statements when he said that he used to sleep on an empty stomach when he used to sing pure Sufi. "Well, I might have said that once but now that I have enough money for my needs, I know money alone cannot bring me happiness. Far more important is my work and my credibility". No dispute in that. Well, the prodigal son returns to his true calling and what else we as Hans Raj fans could have asked for?

parbina@tribunemail.com

Gurpreet Dhindsa, a paraglider, is the first Indian to get an instructor certification from internationally acclaimed associations

For Gurpreet Dhindsa, life at one point of time was about taking a pick between two simple choices — whether to be or not to be! Without getting into the whirlpool of skepticism, this man didn't take much time in zeroing in on his choice that decided the course of his life. The choice was 'to be'.

To be confident enough to leave a settled career, to be brave enough to have the guts to follow dreams and look fear in the eye. To do what he always wanted to — glide in the air. This is how Gurpreet Dhindsa, a paraglider, the first and so far only Indian to get his instructor certification from internationally acclaimed association (British Hang-gliding and Paragliding Association) and only certified tandem instructor in the country (from Hungarian Free Flying Association), chronicles his journey so far.

His achievements as a paraglider are far to many, but for him it was all about fulfilling his own dream rather than working in any corporate office and planning on the dreams of others. "Aviation was my hobby, but gliding fascinated me more than anything else. I preferred to use the energy of nature (wind) over fuel consumption," says Gurpreet, who has a postal address of Gurdaspur but likes to live like a nomad otherwise. Because he could not find an instructor who could teach him art of paragliding, Gurpreet pretty much self-taught himself! "I went to UK in 2001 for a five-month course in paragliding and ended with a certificate of a paragliding instructor," he shares. "I was clear that I wouldn't teach anyone lest I was trained in all respects to do so."

At present, Gurpreet is promotes paragliding in Himachal Pradesh, Dak Pathar and Pitthoragarh in Uttarakhand, Pavagarh in Gujarat, Mandu in MP and also a couple of sites in Chhattisgarh. His paragliding school in Bir, Himachal Pradesh, is the only school in country capable of issuing internationally acceptable IPPI certification. "Paragliding is seen only as a joyride by tourists. It is more than that. It is a 'picking up' adventure sport. To me it is three-dimensional chess, which involves a good strategy, keeping pace and endurance in check. More than anything else, it is about conquering my fear," he says.

Isn't this what adventure sports is all about? Gurpreet, who has been teaching Indian Army's paragliding team, has already run first two Instability Recovery (specialised courses) in the country at Ranjit Sagar near Pathankot, has a different take on it though, "All adventure sports have an element of fear and risk. The real challenge lies in separating danger from fear, and conquering it eventually." The root cause for vanity! "Not at all," he tries to smile but chooses not to, "people often ask what do I get in all this? What do I get after conquering fear? How do I feel when I am up in the air? I tell them I see and feel 'solitude'. This solitude gives me a sense of humbleness, a sense of absolute calmness. Dissociated physically from earth is a feeling that cannot be described in words."

Fear is something that never goes away. "I keep pushing it. It comes back at every competition, but then…" Gurpreet pauses and lets his prize list say the rest. Second in Turkey Preworld Cup (2009), first in Open Kazakhstan Championship (2009), third in open CIS cup and third in Asian Championship (Japan 2010). "The kind of equipment that we use in competitions is different from the one that it is otherwise in use. On a given day, if the weather is good and the equipment is checked and in place, the flight can be awesome. But one cannot be ambitious during a flight. If anything goes a little haywire, it can be really scary," he smiles.

jasmine@tribunemail.com

There’s no substitute for home-cooked food? Not any longer, for it's the era of ‘comfort food’

After a tiring day at office, what is the first and last thing you want to think about? Let's give it you — food. Sometimes, people who binge throughout the day would want to have food that isn't too adventurous, but at the same time, is comfortable and pleasing to the eye. This is how Neeraj Chaudhry, executive chef, food and beverage manager, Hotel Taj, defines the concept of 'comfort' food as.

"Food that one can connect to, that is comfortable to eat, that isn't drastic or way too experimental," he explains.

The new term 'comfort food' has caught the fancy of city folks and is a concept that finds many takers. Something like home cooked food is what most people expect at hotels; food one can't even spell or fancy ingredients that one has never heard of… could be tricky!

Hotel Taj has whipped up the Dera menu to incorporate the delicacies of comfort food. Says Sandeep Makroo, head, sales marketing, Hotel Taj, Chandigarh, "The idea is to give people food that doesn't require much of brain- storming to understand how it's made. We have used seasonal vegetables and ingredients that have a nostalgic element; connected either to an individual or specific culture."

Dera, the Indian restaurant with a show kitchen and interactive counter, has laid down the menu that has an array of traditional delicacies from Punjab, including specialties from Amritsar, Lahore and Peshawar. Yet, the dishes have a contemporary touch as they are cooked in virgin olive oil. "Comfort food that was introduced in Dera menu off late includes chef's innovative delicacies like Dal Gosht, Aloo Wadi da Bharta, Dahi Malai Da Gulgulla, Tawa Chaamp Kaleji et al," says Sandeep.

Adds Chef Neerja, "We have explored the roots of various cuisines and tried to define it is a unique style. In North India, we call it roz ka khana, which is the staple menu of diners and other informal restaurants, as well as home-cooked food. Traditionally, there has been an emphasis on authenticity and low cost."

The Lobby, lounge and bar, has increased the options on the menu, incorporating food that qualifies as comfort food. The executive chef at the place, Raman Preet feels that the hotel industry is growing because the hotels offer the facility of 'home away from home'. "Now, this is where the concept of comfort food comes in. It necessarily doesn't have to be yellow dal or bhindi, it could be anything like french fries or a vanilla ice-cream that we are comfortbale with. The chef retains the comfort element and makes the dish more interesting by adding certain permutations and combination."

But why do we need comfort food? Why blow up money on food that we can make at home? Rajeev Kakar, group general manager, Hotel Western Court, explains, "Our brain releases certain 'feel good' hormones into the body to make up for all the negative feelings like stress and fatigue that overwhelm us in everyday life. Feelings and comfort food is related. The concept is growing because after a hard day at work, tackling all the stress and fatigue, people want to eat something easy and simple."

So, why not enjoy the comfort?

jasmine@tribunemail.com

While the poll issues remain more or less the same, the face of PU elections has changed over the years

They entered the hall of fame, if not essentially the roll of honour. Every year a name is added while each year the name changes. There's a towering list of those making it to the council, in the campus presidents office. While scrolling through, some ring a strong bell, others fade away into oblivion…

So were the campus elections just as big a thing back then? Did the life-size posters greet the students at the gate? And were the party rallies sacrosanct? By the way, were defacement and violence, unfortunately, as much of a cult? Some of the previous campus presidents paint the "then-now" picture for us.

"One major change that has in turn brought along with it many changes is the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations. With its implementation, the scenario has changed completely," two-time campus president (2002-2004) Malwinder Singh Kang draws the comparisons. He adds, "Let's face it, those who are student leaders, unfortunately somewhere or the other, somehow or the other, can't fulfil all conditions imposed on them by Lyngdoh. So what do we have dummy candidates, who don't do as much for the party or the students as they should." And, he raises a couple of new concerns or at least questions.

Not that the issues have changed, only the expertise or the ways to handle. "Now the departments have increased manifold, there are many more voters and there is much more creativity involved," advocate Anmol Rattan Singh Sidhu, former campus president, draws the comparisons with his term of 81-82. He adds, "But the issues have more or less remained the same. For example, placement was an issue in '82 also, as it's an issue now also. But the atmosphere was very cordial there was very little police interference. Now the number of FIRs filed related to the issue have increased."

The parties remained while the posters changed, the hype remained while the publicity replaced. With other things, even the change was a constant. Recalls RS Khosla, vice-president, year 83-84, "The basic thing remains the same, the welfare of the students is of primary concern but the campus was developing at that point of time…there was hardly any media attention and the main rally used to occur at the students centre and outside girls hostels." Unfortunately, the violence, he confirms, "Was there back then also." And, the issues more or less revolved the mundane matters of the student life. Adds Khosla, "Even back then it was about lifts not working, and mess food…"

With the increase in number of departments, students and voters, came the proportional and the parallel swell in the frills and the frivolity. Chips in Kang, "Now there's poster politics. Even though the issues are the same, the infrastructure, the library, placements…but there are hardly any dominating or constructive leaders. The ones that are there don't have much say over the authorities."

The comparisons continue…scenario where pamphlets increased but the participation didn't. While the means to woo the voters stand altered significantly. "I was from the Progressive Students Union. And we won the election all through personal contacts. There must be around 4,000 students on the campus and I remembered the names of at least 3,000 of them. We would also remember their problems."

Perhaps, todays aspirants are taking a tip or two. Meanwhile, the drama, defacement, the rallies, the violence, the manifestoes and the paraphernalia of one of the most colourful events of campus continues…

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Bikes followed by cars, cars leading open jeeps, students spilling out of every jeep, while sticker behind each vehicle! Campus election rallies are a shrieking, screeching statement of strength. Thrown in are placards and posters for colour, slogans for that perfect photo.

Student leaders take part in various rallies on PU campus.

After all, rallying about the varsity grounds gets every tongue rolling…the right or wrong way. "Rallies are important in the sense that they are a display of strength on the campus. We show to everyone how much support we have and even our voters come to know about the party," Vikramjeet Singh, second-year student, defence studies, minces no words. He adds, "Even otherwise, it brings about a sense of excitement to the entire affair and motivates both those inside the party and those outside."

Some concede the trend is even subject to the 'Joneses syndrome' - where each tries to outdo the other, sets a benchmark, crosses the numbers. Shares Aman Deep, B. Com student, DAV College, "The rally is one of the important events and there in every student parties' mind. But why it's so significant is because it's one platform where everybody displays their might and muscle unabashedly." It's a show, where the number of cars is directly proportional to display around, to the popularity and command!

Opines Deepika Thakur, INSO supporter, PhD student, Environment Science, "Apart from a show of strength, they are an annual event taking place a couple of days before elections. It's more of a craze." She adds, "We really haven't decided yet what to do this year, but whatever the seniors say we'll do. This year so far only one political party, SOI, has taken out its rally."

The scene this year might be a little tweaked, even though some have their plans in place. Adds Vikramjeet, "Every year our endeavour is to gather about 250 to 300 vehicles, out of which 50 to 100 are bikes and 10-15 fifteen open jeeps." Guess the statistics of success never involved small numbers!

What everyone agrees on is…the importance. How it's a 'we'll do it better' exercise. A manner of saying you've arrived! "There are two things that are really looked forward to in the entire year. One is the Open House and the other, the rallies. Even though I personally feel they aren't very environment friendly event, but if undertaken minus the violence and noise pollution, they are a happening and colourful activity that give a nice change from the routine," shares Deepika. The number of vehicles don't always translate into voters, what works is the personal rapport rather than the reputation. She adds, "Whether they actually affect the vote bank is not certain, but somehow the newcomers and freshers get affected. But they can never score over your groundwork."

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Chosen from India and Pakistan by Divya herself, there were 40 participants altogether at this event which was more than a grand success and the response received was also phenomenal.

While top brands and prominent retailers vied for participation, people paused while making purchases to wait for the next time. Moreover Delhi's clientele was left hungry for more! — TNS