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No child’s play
While children, like adults, should be offered regular theatre shows, unfortunately children's theatre is the most neglected art form in our country. And talking about our city, here too we see less of children's theatre and more of summer workshops and annual plays in schools. Ask the people who are trying to do something for children’s theatre in the tricity and here’s what they say. “Come summers and the theatre landscape of the city comes alive with children's theatre workshops, but what happens in these workshops is not what we call as pure theatre,” says Rama Ratan, director, Sarang Regd, Mohali. And why is children's theatre considered worthwhile only in summers? “Blame it on the vast school syllabi, it leaves them with no time for a creative thing as theatre. To learn the nuances of theatre one need’s a longer duration and children don’t have that. It’s only during holidays that they have some free time and to utilise that parents send them for various creative workshops, and what better than theatre.” Suggesting an institute for children’s theatre she says, “If we want children’s theatre to flourish we should have regular evening classes for them and more time should be devoted than just a month-long workshop or so.” While the mood is upbeat, the tone is introspective. “You need to draw a great line, before you move on to circles and triangles,” says Harleen Kohli from CEWA group. “We are working with various school children for theatre workshops and during the course a lot of parents come and say that they would want regular theatre classes, but when we announce it there are no takers.” Ask her the reason and she too blames it on the curriculum requirements, tuitions, exams et al. “Though every parent admits that theatre enriches a child's emotional world and enhances his aesthetic sensibility, when it comes to investing time on it they part ways,” she adds. Says Zulfikar Khan from Theatre Age, “We keep doing something or the other with children, but we don’t have anything concrete in the name of children’s theatre in the city.” Advocating children’s theatre he adds, “Although we hold theatre workshops in summers, we should have it as a part of school curriculum, it’s only then that children’s theatre can flourish.” Ask him if parent are supportive and he says, “Yes, they are. Parents are very much interested in television these days. Everyone wants to see their kids on television, encouragement is there but we don’t have an institute that can train children in theatre. If we have one I am sure kids would enrol.” Doing their bit to encourage the ‘actor in children’, Puneeta Vadhera, counsellor with Carmel Convent says, “At Carmel we have a regular class called the Joyful Living, in which we ask children to enact and perform various things. Although we cannot call it pure theatre, this activity surely helps the children in dramatics.” Ask her are children interested in theatre and she says, “Very much.” Well, we read somewhere that theatre will always survive because it is communal, a place where people come and see each other in flesh. And for children’s theatre all we can say is invest on it because when technology takes over and children grow more and more alienated, theatre will be a safe haven! jigyasachimra@tribunemail.com |
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Lyrics, desi ishtyle
There is no way you could have missed the crazy, hilarious song of the upcoming flick Dabangg, ‘muni badnaam hui darling tere liye’, and remember how the song ‘bidi jalai ley’ ignited the dance floor at every discotheque and marriage function?
Why go far, the latest rage Peepli Live tossed up mehangaai dayan,’ with the new remix version ruling the roost. Trying to gauge the commonness between these songs? In the given scenario, it is not a Herculean task to find the ‘common running factor’. Has to be the usage of rustic words in the songs! Ranaji Mhare Gussemein Aaye (Gulaal), Main Zandu Balm Hui (Dabangg), Marjaani (Billu), Ullu Da Pattha (Tere Bin Laden), Chak Dey Phattey (Khosla Ka Ghosla)…bridging the gap between urban and rural populace or is ‘desi’ the in thing with Hindi movies? Why are lyrics moving from Urdu alfaaz to a desi ishtyle? Music director Santokh Singh of Channa Vey fame finds a similar kind of trend flowing in the metros as well. “There is an increasing demand for dhabas in the city because people want to see and get a feel of rural life. This holds true for Bollywood music industry as well.” Santokh, who is the music director for upcoming movies Jenifer and Fugly, sees the usage of regular or what he we say desi words as a trend in the industry. “Earlier, lyrics had a lot of English words like Babby, Howzzat, but now they use words of day-to-day conversation. But, I still feel there is no replacement for good poetry.” Master Saleem, who rose to fame with Maa Da Ladla (Dostana), also sees the usage of ‘common’ words like Beedi, Zandu Baam, Ma da ladla, Ullu da phatta as a trend that will not last for long. Saleem, who has sung a rustic number for Dabangg Humka pinni hai, shares that Bollywood has taken a liking to Punjabi numbers and words. “We were using a lot of classic music vocabulary, which wasn’t selling much. Then one ‘desi’ number becomes a hit, and the music industry finds a ‘sell-able’ formula,” he says. “This is not a bad trend, it is nice that we are connecting to our language through the songs, however, this will not last for long. Till the time, the industry finds another hit formula, they will stick to this,” he adds. The crowd goes crazy, the numbers hit the music charts and the radio can’t help playing ‘ibney batuta…..karta hai phurrrrr!!!’ Call them funny, childish, simple on ears or desi, Hindi music industry sure sees a lot of scope in Beedi, Dhantan (kaminey), Papa Jaag Jayega (Houseful)!! Abhijeet Sawant, Bollywood singer, too sees it as the requirement of the script. “On the other hand, we have songs like Sajda and many more, which have good poetry. Usage of Hindi words, funny or weird, is a trend and there is no harm in it as long as the audiences are swaying to it.” jasmine@tribunemail.com
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Lulla presented a collection of western attires fit for party and pubs. Sushmita Sen was the showstopper for another well-known designer Vikram Phadnis.Phadnis has showcased his latest collection of bridal wear at the BPFT. Sen, stated that Phadnis through his latest collection has refined the look of traditional Indian
attire. "He has designed this mind blowing outfit for me. In fact whenever he designs for me his designs give me an edge. There is a certain amount of that 'IT' factor comes in," said Sen. Bollywood actors like Amrita Arora, Malaika Arora Khan and Kashmira were also seen attending the show.This is the 6th edition of BPFT.India's 12 top designers like Ashish N Soni, Asmita Marwah, Gavin Miguel, Gunjan and Rahul, Mandira Wirk, Nandita Mahtani, Neeta Lulla, Raghavendra Rathore, Shantanu and Nikhil, Vikram Phadnis, Wendell Rodrick including Surily Goel are part of this edition's BPFT. — ANI
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She continues to rule the charts with her golden voice but veteran singer Asha Bhosle, who turns 77 tomorrow, says she went through some very difficult times during her days as a struggler. Asha says that as a newcomer it was hard to convince musicians to hire her but is not keen on doing Bollywood playback anymore. "No one helped me. I would go begging for work. It was not easy as I had no godfather or someone to help me. A lonely person tends to make mistakes, it is always better to have someone to guide you. I had no one," Bhosle said. Bhosle, who has been the voice of more that 12,000 songs in a career spanning six decades, does not find Bollywood exciting anymore."I have been singing for so long. I will do playback only if something new and exciting comes my way," she says.When asked about the stories of rivalry with her elder sister, Asha declined to comment."I don't want to comment on what the media says," said the singer, adding that the love of her fans has kept her alive. "Apart from my parents, I am thankful to the musicians who gave me work when I was a newcomer in the industry. Also I am grateful to my listeners who have kept Asha alive, she would have died otherwise," said the singer. Bhosle, who always tries to do something new on each of her birthdays, is now planning to launch a record with tabla maestro Shujat Khan."I am making an album with Shujat, which is an amalgamation of classical and folk music. I did live recording after years and it was such fun," said the singer. Bhosle has mastered almost all genres of music be it pop, ghazal, classical or qawali and now is in talks with Mexican-American artiste Carlos Santana for a duet.The voice behind hits like In ankhon ki masti, Sona re and Rangeela, Bhosle says she is now trying to popularise Indian music in the West.The singer will celebrate her birthday during a concert in Singapore."My energy is my lifeline. I cannot do without it. I am planning to open the ninth outlet of my restaurant Asha's in Dubai," said Bhosle, adding that she only concentrates on the menu while the financial aspects of the business are looked after by her son Anand."The menu includes my favourite dishes and I keep checking the quality of the food," she added. — PTI
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Evil design
Hollywood action star Sylvester Stallone wants to cast Bruce Willis as supervillain in The Expendables sequel. Stallone wants Willis, who had a small cameo role in the summer blockbuster, to lead the cast in an all-action follow-up. Despite initially claiming a sequel would be too expensive, Stallone appears to have been fired up by the film's success and he's now considering a second
installment. "I am thinking what would be the most dangerous places in the world to set the sequel? I had dinner with Bruce Willis... I want him in Expendables II as a supervillain. What do you think?" he said. — ANI |
British beauty Keira Knightley no longer calls England home as she has settled in the US to save taxes. The 25-year-old actor, has left Britain for the US to avoid the higher taxes in her native country. Paperwork lodged with Companies House shows Knightley, listed as director of her firm Ponder Rights, has changed her country of usual residence to the US. The Pirates of the Caribbean has been on the move recently. She had been living in a loft apartment in East London, owned by her mother. Then she and boyfriend actor Rupert Friend, 28, were said to have set up home on a canal boat in the city. Last month there were reports they had bought a $3 million country retreat in France.
— PTI
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Hollywood actor Hugh Grant has said that he felt terrible when people in their forties dress like teenagers. Hugh says he finds it embarrassing when his peers try to look stylish, admitting he prefers to dress his age. "I think there is a tendency for all of us over 30 to dress too young," he said. "You walk down the street in New York or in London and all you see is people dressed as teenagers when they're in their forties. I think that's terrible," he added. The star said that woman has a great influence on a man's style. He joked that if men think they look attractive to women in a certain garment they will carry on wearing the same for decades. "I think every man listens to women. If a woman says, 'You look nice in those jeans,' they'll go on wearing them for the next 20 years," he added. The 49-year-old British actor is famed for his style, shunning trends in fashion to stick to his trademark polo shirts, chinos and cashmere pullovers.
— ANI
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Kate's obsession
Hudson admits she has spent a large amount of money on her one luxury indulgence and keeps her accessories
in a cabinet specially reserved to display them. "I have nearly 200 and I buy them all over, some new, some from auction website - eBay, some from weird little places," she said. "I have a cabinet that I lay them out in. I love them, they're so beautifully made," she said.
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Hollywood superstar Jennifer Aniston is playing a "sexually aggressive" doctor who tries to blackmail a colleague in upcoming film Horrible Bosses. According to her co-star Charlie Day, the 41-year-old actor plays Dr Julia Harris, a blackmailer who tries to get his character Dale Arbus to sleep with her."Jennifer Aniston is sexually aggressive towards me and demands I sleep with her or she's going to blackmail me into making my fiancee think I'm sleeping with her," said Day. "She has an elaborate way of doing that. I don't want the anxiety attack that I know I will have if I'm a scoundrel going into the wedding, so I avoid that," he added.He also jokes the pair had little time to get to know each other and found themselves naked quickly into the shoot."We were thrust into getting to know each other pretty quickly. We get naked in a dental office," said the actor. Day also admitted he knew nothing about the Friends star before shooting together, a fact at which she was surprised."I didn't even know she was married to Brad Pitt. She couldn't believe that I didn't know. But I had no idea, for real. And I frankly don't care," said Day. Horrible Bosses, which also stars Colin Farrell and Kevin Spacey, is due for release in July 2011.
— PTI
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Glamour girl Mallika Sherawat, who is shooting for comedy film Double Dhamaal, says she finds Sanjay Dutt more appealing than she ever thought he is. "Met Sanjay Dutt... even more charming than I've heard, and even more handsome in person... Double Dhamaal is going to be a fun shoot," Mallika posted on her Twitter page. The actor, who had shifted base to Los Angeles to pursue her Hollywood dreams, is in India to promote her film Hisss. She will also shoot for Double Dhamaal, a sequel to laugh riot Dhamaal. The film will feature Riteish Deshmukh, Javed Jaffrey, Aashish Chaudhary and Aftab Shivdasani, apart from Kangana Ranaut, Mallika and Sanjay. — IANS
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Game for ramp
Well this is the irony; this is the way it is. There are more sportspersons walking the ramp than models! Have we missed out on the other flock that has taken fancy to the ramp as well — the actors. So, as per the present scenario, there are more actors and sportspersons walking the ramp than the ramp models themselves! Who is cribbing? None, we believe. In fact, it is rather interesting to see the blue brigade or pugilist Vijender Singh walk mostly in designer attires. You bet they love it! The boxer sure does. In the city to launch Nikes's Bleed Blue cricket initiative, Vijender Singh quite enjoys the 'catwalk' and working in advertisements that suit his style. We take up from the new 'Munch chocolate' advertisement where Vijender bites into the chocolate and light-heartedly threatens his brother-in-law to take care of his sister. He smiles on the mention of it. "I like chocolates so I did the advertisement. Besides, it was just a one day shoot and I pretty much enjoyed it." Facing the opponent in the ring is a different thing, facing the camera, where retake is the name of perfection, differs though. "Of course, these are two different things, but I enjoy doing both. I am okay about facing the camera. No problem, no jitters," Vijender almost sounds like a professional actor. Someone loves it! How far does this affair with the camera go? "I am hopeful…or let's say I am doing a movie next year," he smiles and puts it across subtly. There you are! "It will be a movie on sports, I will play the hero," says Vijender, who is in favour of movies on sports. "Hollywood makes a good number of movie on sports, Bollywood should be doing the same. I watched Tere Apne by Dharmendra and I loved it. More of such movies will do good to sports. I am glad something on Milkha Singh is being made. More such stuff needs to highlighted through cinema." Endorsements, what good does it do to sports? If only our cricketers concentrate on the game, rather than sporting styles and marching on the ramp! "This is unfair," Vijender interrupts, "there is nothing wrong in endorsing brands or walking the ramp as long as one knows how to balance the two. As for me, I select brands which go with my personality, something sporty to say." Vijender is the brand ambassador for Nike, Pepsi, Siaram et al. "How often do sportspersons get a chance to be on stage or TV, so when they do such a thing, I bet they give their 100 per cent. Fans too like to see their favourite stars on TV in a different style." About the Bleed Blue campaign, Vijender adds, "Through this campaign, we want to show our solidarity for cricket. Since, I also enjoy the sport, this nationwide campaign will bring people together. Blue is not just a colour, it is a billion hopes, dreams and aspirations fuelling a cricket-crazy nation." jasmine@tribunemail.com
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Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has topped the chart for celebrity endorsements on television during the first six months of this year, leaving behind not only Shahrukh Khan and Sachin Tendulkar, but also the gorgeous ladies of the silver screen. During the January to June period, while Dhoni endorsed brands for 24 companies on TV, Shahrukh and Sachin were seen promoting the products of 16 and 15 firms, respectively, according to the Adex survey of TAM Media Research. Interestingly, Dhoni has also left behind many Bollywood ladies, who enjoyed a combined 45 per cent share of the total celebrity endorsements on TV between January and June. — PTI
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Sudesh Berry is not a new face on big and small screen. Films like Border, Refugee, LOC Kargil and serials like Mata Ki Chowki, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo brought him to the fore as a versatile actor. He made his debut in Bollywood with Khatron Ke Khiladi in 1988 and has already done 40 films and more than 40 shows. We catch up with him as he makes a brief halt in the city, on his way to Amritsar. You are making a comeback in Mata Ki Chowki? Yes, I am. I am again playing a negative role. My look is different and viewers will like it. It is a new look created by the team of Swastik Pictures to retain the conflict in the show between Sakshi who plays the positive role and me. Why do you play negative characters? No negative character on small screen today is pure evil or sinister. I don't mind playing a negative role as long as it is compelling. Is television your priority? I am not a career-oriented person. Tell us about your background? I have done number of television shows like Andaaz, Jaan, Kashish and Suraag. Presently I am doing Mata Ki Chowki and Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo. How do you prepare for your role? I do not prepare for my role. All that I do is understand my character and give my own inputs. What are the new trends in TV as far as production is concerned? The making of show is akin to making a film. It is almost like a mini-film. Huge sets, rooms, deck-up and finishing. Any new projects on hand? My next film Shaabash will be released soon. Some projects are in the pipeline. For me small screen is my wife and big screen is my girlfriend. — Dharam Pal
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One-stop shop!
Lipakshee (north zone) is back with furniture and traditional handlooms from various states. Bright terracotta statues on rural themes in bright yellow, orange and green welcome one at Lajpat Rai Bhawan-15.
Then there is this interesting multipurpose table that can be folded like a suitcase and carried around. It can become a side table, centre table, study desk for small kids or even a picnic table for four. "We are giving a picnic umbrella free with this," says Iqbal. Apart from furniture there is a wide range of kurtis. Starting from Rs 150, you can pick up a trendy or a traditional one. There are matching jholas in solid colours, polka dots, modern prints and traditional work starting from Rs 150 onwards. One can also find authentic cotton suits and saris from Maharashtra. "We haven't given in to modernisation. Our Indore checks and Narayan Peth saris are still very popular," says Uma. "Also the cotton is so fine that you can wear it day-long without any discomfort," she adds. Available at Rs 650, the saris and suits are in nice colour combinations. Kashmiris have, however, adapted according to change. Apart from regular Chinar suits, there are new patterns. Also, from regular tea cozy and cushion sets, they have added shopping bags to their range. From Benaras, there are saris, suits and beautiful running material that can be used to make lehangas. Woven on traditional looms, their silk stoles are so fine that they can pass through a ring! With clothes around, how can jewellery be far behind? There are bangles from Benaras; earrings and neckpieces in many colours. Also, some of the gift items - idols in poly stone, net and sequin mats and metal pieces are on show. mona@tribunemail.com (On till September 12)
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Now, time for work
With voting done with, violence done away with, results having sunk in, even oath taking over, and the frenzy of the election mob surrounding ‘the final four’ settled; it’s time to pause, take a re-look, define, redefine some serious issues and put them in a new perspective.
It was an election of many firsts; with holiday replacing the Open House a day before, with all the four from different directions (read parties)…little bit of friction but it all falls in place, the newly elected council seems to be brimming with ideas. Here’s a closer look at the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council. manpriya@tribunemail.com Welfare bound President, GS Aulakh
He adds, “Right now, it’s just been holidays after the win, once we begin with our offices we’ll start working.” Now we are talking! “Our main agenda is placements. The level of PU placements is not very satisfactory; we want to bring them to an altogether different level. Next would be student empowerment; whenever authorities take any decision that concerns them, they should be consulted and proper feedback should be taken.” He adds, “Also there should more foreign exchange programmes because we want students to have the right exposure. We’ll try for more tie-ups with foreign universities; British Columbia could be one to begin with.” In between the list of issues, the hosteller from Moga doesn’t seem to have forgotten those of his ilk. “Hostel accommodation is an acute problem, since there are many outstation students. We’ll also try for a single window system for whatever forms need to be filled in, whatever the formalities that need to be dealt with.” A first-year student, but there’s no missing the wisdom of populist measures too. “We’ll organise proper events and make sure the cultural programmes get proper funding.” With multiple representation in the council, could it get in his grand plans? Could it be a classic case of too many cooks in the way of implementation? He opines, “When everybody wants to work for students’ welfare, then there is no scope for any disagreement. If any move is pro-students, nobody will object because that’s what they too want, whatever the party or ideology.” Arguments anyone? Girl power Vice-president, Vibha
Hostels and placements manage a place in her plans as well. “We want to ensure effective placements, PU should get a central university status and the campus ought to be a no-violence zone.” In between the popular rhetoric, there’s one that makes a special connect. “Hostels are a big problem, especially since students get admission in the departments and then they are put in the waiting, and told to keep checking out the status.” She adds, “Many girls would approach me, saying they are told at the last moment that they wouldn’t get a seat in the hostel.” The hosteller herself has plans and promises in place, at least for the year. “Earlier vice-presidents might not be very active but I’ll make sure that I remain so, right through the year.” Team game General Secretary, Akhil Bansal
He moves on to bigger, better and some real issues. “The issues remain the same, whatever we had promised. Placements figure at the top of the list. We want to more tie-ups with foreign universities. On the whole, whatever funds we get, we want to utilise them properly.” In between, there’s one thing that remains a personal agenda, an issue close to his heart, perhaps experienced by the hosteller himself. “I really want that hostel accommodation should be available to everyone. So many students come from outside and without hostels it is really difficult, especially for girls.” The issues are more of an echo, a reshuffle of manifestoes, one borrowed from the other, more or less the same! He smirks, “I don’t think co-ordinating or working together could be a problem. If at all, it could be a problem for others. I have been in the university for five years now, more than anyone else, and know the student problems inside out.” Allude to the Lyngdoh rules; allege the ‘dummy candidate’ rhetoric, the change in the profiles of those elected, and he opines, “To some extent it’s true also. But now only those students can come to the forefront who balance studies with other work. With this, the real workers of the party also get a chance to come forward.” That’s about it! Joint effort Joint secretary, Subhash Chander
Could multiple party presence hamper the progress? “It could be a benefit as well since everyone stands represented; that could also mean a wider range of issues.” There might not be plans to remain in politics, even though handling comes easy. “I have been juggling social work and studies for three years now, so it comes naturally.” He adds, “I’ll continue to be involved in the society and do something as a dentist but there are no plans of joining politics.” As of now!
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Everyone cannot join schools and colleges; the education has to be taken to the doorsteps of people, particularly in rural areas through extension programmes for prevention of diseases, environment protection and skill development. With this emphasis and the right spirit, the Department of Life Long Learning & Extension, Panjab University, celebrated International Literacy Day in village Khudha Lahora. More than 350 students, teachers, residents, Panchayat members from villages Khudda Jassu and Khuda Lahora participated. Planting of saplings, literacy rally of students, teachers, villagers, and local Panchayat members holding placards with slogans on literacy, women empowerment, environment and anti-foeticide formed part of the programme too. The slogans raised by the participants enlivened the atmosphere of the village. There was slogan writing and poster making as part of the itinerary too. Professor Ajaib Singh, director, said that for the last four decades the society had made a tremendous progress on literacy front, but still we are far behind as compared to other developed Nations.
— TNS
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In this digital age, even parents have adopted high tech art of family discipline-by snatching cell phones, blocking Facebook pages, and pulling the plug on PlayStation. When Lantha Carley's high-schooler got a midterm grade report that contained letters of the alphabet that were not A, B or C, she decreed there would be no more Facebook until he delivered a report card with better grades.
In a report earlier this year that captured part of the trend, 62 percent of parents said they had taken away a cell phone as punishment, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Parents "know how important and vital it is to their teens' existence," said the report's co-author Amanda Lenhart. "They were getting them where it hurt," she added.
— ANI
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A Scottish research has suggested that energy drinks really do help athletes improve their endurance and levels of performance. The study of young sportsmen and women found that consuming the drinks before and during exercise meant they could play in team games for longer than those who had not used the products. The researchers said the study highlighted the importance of hydration and energy intake for performance during intense sporting activities, reports the Scotsman. The Edinburgh University study recruited student's aged 12 to 14 to help assess the effectiveness of sports drinks. The team measured the performance of the 15 youngsters during exercises designed to simulate the physical demands of team games such as football, rugby and hockey. The group, who were recruited from George Watson's College in Edinburgh and other schools, were tested using one particular brand of energy drink called High5. The solution contains carbohydrates, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. The performance of students using the product was compared with that of players when they drank a non-carbohydrate placebo solution. The researchers found that taking the 6 per cent carbohydrate-electrolyte solution helped the young people continue high-intensity, stop-start activity for up to 24 per cent longer than those using the placebo drink. The research has been written in the European Journal of Applied Physiology. — ANI
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Theatre has been a versatile means of artistic expression, communication and instruction for over 2,000 years. A form of art that has the creative potential to teach and persuade, theatre works as an edge between entertainment and education. While almost everyone agrees that the only reason for the existence of theatre is the passion shared by its artistes, when it comes to children’s theatre we see passion only in the form of summer workshops or an annual affair with schools, which everyone presents with great fanfare.
Actor Sushmita Sen and Sameera Reddy walked the ramp at the grand finale of Blenders Pride Fashion Tour (BPFT) over the weekend. Reddy, who walked the ramp for designer Neeta Lulla, said she was quite excited to showcase Lulla's designs."I have been always showcasing bridal or Indian outfits but today I wore a hot western outfit and I liked it very much. I am pretty excited about it," said Reddy.
Hollywood actor Kate Hudson says she is obsessed with scarves and boasts a collection of 200.
Ornate mirror frames, wooden partitions, Rajasthani jharokhas, small stools, chairs and loungers from Saharanpur are the main attraction. "These days people prefer a combination of wood and iron," says Iqbal Singh, president, Akhil Bhartiya Dastkar Smiti. There are sweet, little chairs and tables for kids, easy chairs and carved stools. 
First things first, and doesn’t the president precede them all? Gurvindervir Singh Aulakh, M.E, computer science student, UIET, seems to be already over the post-election hangover! “It feels good but it wasn’t surprising; we had been working hard and doing our groundwork for some time now.” 
The vice-president, the solo girl in the team, Vibha, second-year Msc Botany student, is alone but certainly not lonely! She laughs, “That’s alright, I never feel different or in a minority, since there’s everyone’s support. I hope oath-taking and other things happen soon and we get to work.” Speaking of which, could balancing studies and council work be a problem? “Yeah, it could be, especially since nine to five I’m in the department. But, both are equally important and it’s all about time-management.” 
And the action shifts to the next in tow. They share the same platform, similar motive, a couple of intersection of ideas, some overlapping, but everyone’s brimming with the fresh start. “For me, it’s one party now and that’s the council because we all are here for students’ welfare. I hope everyone works like a team and co-ordinates,” with this Akhil Bansal, the general secretary from University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, puts what’s behind and moves on. “When I got the seat from my party, I knew I’d win; it feels really good.” 
And he too is a hosteller! “It feels good to have won and made it to the council, there was a bit of apprehension but only initially,” with this Subhash Chander, joint secretary, final-year student from University Institute of Dental Sciences, settles down to some serious business of student welfare. “I’ll ensure that my college gets recognition from the Dental Council of India; make sure there’s a proper canteen.” Now to some ditto issues. “We need to have more hostels for the university, we’ll make an appeal for a violence free campus.” 
"He lived with no lasting damage," a publication quoted Carley as saying. "It's a modern version of grounding," said Richard Weissbourd, a Harvard psychologist and author of 'The parents we mean to be.' "It's like taking away a weekend or a couple of weekends. It's a deprivation of social connections in the same way," he added.