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2009-11-23T07:22:00.000-08:00

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2008-12-09T10:12:00.000-08:00

After Mumbai Attack, people on vigil
Bhupinder Kohli
New Port, US

The ghastly mumbai terror attack has caused an international rage, with people not ready to wait for any government, ngo or politicians to act.
Around a hundred Indians descended at Town Square of Newport (Jersey City) in United States observing a vigil for mumbai terror attack; paying a homage to those innocents who lost lives in 26/11 on Saturday. National song echoed in the streets of United States, with people determined to not collect donation this time but pool in ideas to fight terrorism and act at grass root level, themselves!
Interestingly, this mass procession was not initiated by any of organisations or ngo but a group of ‘14-common Indians’ residing in Newport.They are sick of just mere living room discussions on terrorism every time terror stucks back home, so decided on saying it in morose yet bold voices “…can’t bear it anymore.”
Well! tears rolled down the cheeks of many as they looked at the pictures of victims, while lighting candles in their memory. “To channelise our approach we should sponsor Indians for finest of courses on anti-terrorism,” opines Mandeep Chadha.
They are not a part of any organization nor intend to make one. Their sole goal with this vigil is to remind one and all everyone that even a single voice can make a difference.
“We are group of common men don’t intend to form any committee but fight in capacity of a layman. We want to convey a message that we all (Indians, Americans, Israelis, etc. everyone irrespective of nationality and religion) have to unite and standing against terrorism for a better future,” says Nikhil Kumar, one of the intiators of the mass procession.
This problem is definitely bigger for them the economic recession that each of them is braving every minute on the foreign land. Brijesh Jaggi, a software consultant from Mumbai who didn’t enjoy the thanksgiving party as feared safety of his people, shared his monologue of questions that kept bombarding him for past ten days, “When will we learn to vote sensibly?…. Can’t we develop a blue print to fight terrorism?… Why innocent lives time and again?”
While 25 years-old Sarabjit Kuckreja comes up with a suggestion for Indian government to make one-year army training or atleast self-defense courses compulsory at teenage level. Just after a minute of silence observed by the gathering I even overheard a gal in mid- twenties murmuring in choked voice “Tell me, I can fly down to the very spot and be a part of anti-terror mission.”
Besides the brainstorming of fight terrorism, these Indians abroad conveyed a strong message for the whole country: ‘We may be away from our homeland, but our hearts still beat for India and we will always be there for our nation.”

No place for violence in futuristic governments

2008-01-09T03:18:00.000-08:00

Ideally there isn’t, and will never be, any room for violence in the world… but ironically, we all are living with it, facing it, and continuously complaining it…
Playing devil’s advocate to envision a better, peaceful world, we all accept nonviolence, yet lack in its implementation. Only panacea to violence is common, all governments’ need to make sincere efforts to address the basic human needs: hunger, shelter and employment. When a person is deprived of either of these, anger – a common human trait – is triggered. In a developed economy like United Kingdom, the gravity of homelessness and related issues say it all. Whatever case may be, if violence occurs, must be criticized there and then as a shameful failure to implement nonviolent tools for settling disputes and achieving ends.
Futuristic governments must also refrain from political moves and motives that give birth or support violence. In addition, governments should renounce the right of their internal police or of anyone else to use violence in any situation. Costa Rica has taken a giant leap in this direction by formally renouncing the right to defend itself, much less to attack others. It exemplifies governance through no violence; for rests all governments to follow. Even Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution – Renunciation of War – is equally inspiring but hardly goes as far as should have.
Even in current scenario, defining a nation’s strength in terms of the national territory is a passé with power becoming synonymous to economic health and growth of a country. Drawing sped-fast changing curves, ever-evolving economic world is highly competitive. Your say in the international political community is in direct proportion to one parameter, economic health of your nation. And, that’s what the futuristic governments will be mainly strategizing.
Liberalization, privatization and globalization have swept the entire globe, changing the facade of not only the world economy, also of the international politics. Global empathy is increasing as global village is evolving every second with mushroom growth of MNCs. They bear corporate responsibility of striving for better living standards internationally. This global connect is strong and meshed across continents. People belong to one international community, living in harmony and working in synchronization across waters irrespective of varied backgrounds and ethnicity. What is common is the zeal of mankind to progress.
And, special thanks to internet and e-commerce for dissolving the boundaries. With cyber world’s development – e-commerce, blogging and chat there is no room for virtual boundaries. Across the globe be connected in just few seconds. The increase in communication between the people of different nations has made the international public strongly connected and voiced. Virtual trade and friendship across the globe is connecting people like never before. So the global village demands respective governments to pay heed to not only progress of respective country, rather of the international community vis-à-vis of the mankind with no room for violence.
When we talk of international community, it’s not only the economic progress or tackling human violence; futuristic governance demands the handshake between all governments for global governance of environment. Or else, with signals like melting ice caps of Alaska, the very existence of mankind is in question. Recent reports from Greenland show outlet glaciers moving meters per hour and rapidly thinning. To address the consequent ecological changes and natural challenges like global warming, green house effect and depleting fossil reserve, etc. we need to pool in our resources and expertise for combating and curbing at least predictable natural havoc for the existence of mankind.

They asked what is freedom to me…

2007-11-05T01:58:00.000-08:00

Not only the existence of a human being makes him alive… it’s his freedom to be himself – to express himself, to do what he believes in. Being a social animal, of course, this freedom comes with a share of rights and duties. But being an Indian woman the word freedom has a different meaning to me. More so, as many-a-times a woman in India is deprived of the essence of word ‘freedom.’ Forget about the freedom to do what she wants, she is not even allowed to express herself in matters concerning her own life. Be it education, employment, marriage or other issues, she often dwells in the shadow of her parents, guardians, brothers; ages as the responsibility of her husband and die as a dependable on her children, actually sons only. Somehow the facet of modern India is witnessing a swift change, with the rural India yet to evolve.
I call myself a privileged soul, being born in a family that is liberal and has made me to enjoy the freedom to carve my own way, take decisions, voice issues and also the responsibility of mistakes I made. I realize the importance of this freedom bestowed by my family and urbane society with a great sense of responsibility. Be it the society that I am part of or the professional world; freedom cannot be defined without a set of responsibilities.
When a woman seeks freedom her self-responsibility increasing by manifolds. The limitations are must to be self-imposed while enjoying the liberalities. Recently news-screens flashed a story of a young girl employee with Wipro, Pune, being raped and killed by a cab driver. This horrendous incident again reminds that we women live in a society where the freedom exists within defined boundaries only.

Another Leap for Automotiv Industry - Corrosion Prevention Audit

2007-11-02T01:01:00.000-07:00

Casting heavy financial effects and in-a-fix situation for equipment, corrosion is a devil that causes major degradation process. Even in developed countries the loss due to corrosion is quite high to the extent of 3% to 4% of GDP. In India also, an estimated loss of Rs.36000 crore (US $ 8 billion) occurs every year due to corrosion.

Corrosion of assets and environment degradation are issues which directly or indirectly rust an important area of each life, not only the material things. Corrosion makes components and structures in industry and infrastructures fail prematurely and cause significant economic losses. All metals corrode over time when exposed to moisture and in a tropical country like ours; the intensity of corrosion is very high at some places. The metals are subjected to the slow chemical attack due to high humidity, exhaust emissions, sunlight, seasonal temperature variations, industrial chemicals, etc.

To keep corrosion at bay, the industry needs to pay due attention to maintenance of the plant and equipment. On a serious note, if neglected, the damage inflicted by this devil, named corrosion, can go so far as to necessitate the complete replacement of the installation. At times, this can lead to sudden burdening of the company with non-planned investment, besides, production outage and, consequently, considerable financial losses along with other far-reaching consequences. Strict vigil and timely action through regular corrosion prevention audits can only avert the hazard. these audits that asses every accept of rusting and corrosion initiating aspects, is a great leap in thge direction of corrrosion prevention.

Another dimension to gala festive season

2007-11-02T00:48:00.000-07:00

India is known as the land of rich culture and heritage. Be it Eid, Deepawali, Durga Pooja, Gurpurabs, Christmas or Lohri, each festival has its own charm. With celebrations becoming more important than the occasion itself, the essence of traditional celebrations has been lost somewhere down the line.

My eight-year-old niece, Tanya Sethi, who is elated to be part of pre-Deepawali celebrations, with mom getting her dresses and guest list prepared, papa busy buying gifts for everyone, grandma planning the pooja ceremony, and elder bro burning rubber to buy best of crackers… there is complete festivity around!! But when I asked Tanya if she knows why we celebrate Deepawali, her reply was: “Its party time and something to do with history. (After a pause) God Rama. I remember I had an essay last year in my syllabus.” That’s where we seem to have lacked in passing our culture to the progeny.

No doubt India has succeeded in keeping the traditions alive but not maintaining the status quo, amidst the consumerism and globalized celebrations. It’s a healthy sign that the tradition has seeped into globalization. Sweets are exchanged on Deepawali not only between friends and family but also corporate sector, firms and clients. But not sweetmeats, rather Swiss chocolates or labeled mithais are preferred. The tradition is same but the trends are ever-changing, instead of silk clothing, we all prefer branded labels. At times, the corporate sector also miss uses the occasion by giving costly gifts as legal bribe to the influentials.

Apart from the auspicious time and effervescent mood, which manifests itself in a high propensity to spend, there are some critical drivers of the ‘festive phenomena’ which are pivotal in enabling this increase in consumerism. Not only high and mighty, but also middle and upper middle class want to enjoy the temporary increase in disposable income, courtesy the Festive Bonus.

Adding fuel to this extra purchasing power is the ignition provided by heightened activity by market players offering alluring schemes and irresistible purchase offers. This results in an explosion of purchase and consumption pattern.

Interestingly, this change in consumption patterns is associated with intrinsic traditional rituals of specific purchases like utensils and home appliances on Dhanteras. Deepawali, Durga Pooja & Gudi Padwa are focused not only around new clothes but also largely around giving ‘homes a makeover’ by spring cleaning, fresh wall colour, furniture and furnishings. Vijaya Dashmi is a time when automobile sales spike. While a majority of festivals see consumers go into a self-indulgent mode with acquisitions for self, there are also those festivals which arouse a generosity of gifting to others – Eid, Deepawali and Christmas.

Let’s introspect whether we are celebrating the festivals in their true spirits!

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

2007-10-01T00:17:00.000-07:00

In India public and private media is on guard of democracy; the fourth estate is strong and effective. Despite several aberrations, what effectively monitors and upholds democratic values is investigative journalism. However, Indian bureaucracy, notorious for its red tapism, does not easily part with even ordinary information, never mind the information acts on the book, and those who really want to expose do not trust the press. Investigative reporting scrutinizes and exposes the wrong-doings of those in authority, which hurt public interest and make them accountable to the people.

Be it bringing brutal realities of Nithari case, multi-crore Stamp Paper scam, Telgi case, or Fodder Scam - journalists are lead by nose for news. With the sole aim of bringing down the reality to public, they struggle to bring the reality to light. If documents, receipts, accounts, papers or files are not forthcoming as proof, journalism now thrives on major supporter – Technology. What better option can a sleuth have than a spycam? The two of them are team enough to dig out bare facts, and put them live on screen.

What started as Tehelka’s sting operation has evolved as a new trend in the history of Indian journalism where each corrupt hand is under constant threat. Whereby investigative journalism is disciplined, rigorous and demanding there are few incidents of fraudulent reporting driven by personal, political goals. Even the recent Delhi School Teacher –Uma Khurana case has opened another chapter of corrupt reporting to investigative journalism, raising questions over the credibility of media. Where Ethics to journalism is soul to body, a partial, fame-driven approach mars its entire purpose.

Where press serves as the watchdog; now checks and balances are also required to maintain to the standards of the free press of India.

FEELING THE HEAT

2007-06-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

FIRE BROKE IN THE MARKET THAT JUST OPENS TO BACKYARD OF MY HOUSE IN MOHALI. WE WERE HARDLY 4-FEET WAY FROM ATLEAST 30-FEET HIGH FLAMES.

THE AUTHORITIES DIDN'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE BACKSIDE OF THE MARKET AS THEY WERE IGNORANT OF THE FACT THAT AFTER MARKET HOUSES ARE AT STAKE NOW. PEOPLE OF THE AREA WERE NOT BOLD ENOUGH TO EFFECTIVELY COMMNUICATE TO THE AUTHORITIES THAT THEIR HOUSES ARE AT STAKE.

BEING A JOURNALIST I CHOSE NOT TO BE MUMP; AND HAD TO SHOUT, CRY AND PLEAD, SIMULTANEOUSLY, TO MAKE THEM LISTEN TO ME IN THAT CROWD OF OVER THOUSAND: "WE NEED FIREBRIGADE TO SAVE THE HOUSE LANE CONSISTING OF TEN HOUSES."

EVEN HELD THE FIREOFFICER BY HIS COLLAR AND SCOLDED THE S.P. TOO. INDEED, IT PAID. THINGS WERE IN CONTROL IN NEXT FEW MINUTES. AND FROM A JOURNALIST BECAME A NEWSSTORY CONTENT, MY PHOTOGRAPH APPEARED IN NEWSPAPER NEXT DAY.... I COULD NOW WELL REALSIE THE HEAT OF BEING A MATTER OF NEWS CONTENT.

SOME CAME TO PAT MY BACK, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO FAILED TO DEMAND THEIR RIGHT TO SAFETY. I FELT ASHAMED THAT HOW BAD ARE WE HOMO SAPIENS AT COMMUNICATING, WHETHER SAYING THE BARE TRUTH OR LITENING TO OTHERS.

AT OTHER MOMENT FELT SORRY FOR COMMONMAN IN INDIA WHO HESITATES TO SAY OPENLY WHAT HE FEELS, EVEN IN DEMOCRACY. I AM A JOURNALIST SO HAPPEN TO COMMUNICATE BEST OF MY ABILITES.

LISTENING IS IMPORTANT BE IT YOUR INNER VOICE OR OTHER PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW (IT CAN CURB NUMEROUS CONFLICT AND TRUOBLES)...

Agonies of kashmiris

2007-03-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

Bhupinder Kohli
Warm fabric, intricate thread work, patient and exquisite craftmanship well- deserves a wow!! Especially for the popularity that the Cashmere (Kashmiri) tag enjoys. An ultimate style statement attached along with cozy comfort is just marvellous. No wonder with winter onset wait for Kashimiri shawlwalas, alias Cashmere shawl vendors begins...

In the afternoon women, the undisputed patrons of shawls are free from house chore, move out in the respective verandahs for basking and chitchatting, the seasonal immigrants from the "janat (heaven) on earth" come riding on bicycles with bundle of exquisite shawls carefully tied on the carrier rest.

As soon as these migratory birds reach Delhi, Chandigarh or any other part of "India;" as they address the Indian mainland without slightest hesitation of being loud about their notion of their coming from a separate homeland called Kashmir; they are out in search for someone who can arrange necessities for them out of Kashmir.

Unlike the Kashmiri shawls have shrunk to stolls, but their problems are have grown. Bashir Ahmed Mir, another Kashmiri who eagerly waits for November to come down to the city beautiful calls Chandigarh his second home and addresses Chandigarhians as 'estyle ke shaukin.' (living upto style statement). He narrates his agony about kashmiris being treated as foreigners by government in simple, yet heartening words: "We would get a house on rent and inform the police station about our residence and get registered on basis of our voter ID card.” Well! Laws are laws and they have accepted it.

Bashir says that every year he is here with his buddies. Adding, "What bothers us the most is arranging necessities like gas cylinders…” They stay in groups of four-five people, including a cook. Though these Kashmiris are regular migrants, yet each time they hit the place they ought to get identification done. “It’s the biggest problem we continue facing year after year." Is there a solution to the agony of many bashirs who continue facing the music without a hint that what is there fault?

A 44-year-old matric pass shawl vendor, Mohammed Ramzan Mir from Mattan Khairbug, Anantnag has been coming down to Chandigarh or Delhi every winter for past 22 years. But each time with a different style statement. Talking about his experience in the mainland India, Mir says: "Due to disturbance in valley, it's hard to sustain on tourism. So, to earn dal-chawal for the family and maintain a decent living, we were forced to switch over to a new profession." ...that's a smart way out than permanently moving out of your homeland!!

Above all, these migratory birds carry back home employment opportunities for many a homes. He adds, "There are many fashion designers, weavers, embroiders and other food to many other houses in Kashmir too. What appears to be a seasonal job but keeps them on the run round the year. Before moving out of their territory they need to have ample of pieces ready. That's what keeps them busy in summers. Mir adds, "So, it has turned into important industry that provides employment to thousands of Kashmiris facing the music in the valley. Many craftsman involved in preparing every shawl." What if this source of income takes a pause what would be the state there…"

Crusing 'Brilliance of seas'

2006-11-21T08:15:00.000-08:00

'A fortnight on the sea! Just Amazing!!'

Cruising offers an exquisite royal retreat with fun, parties and cool breezes swaying the cruise all over.

This September entrepreneur Malika Ghosh went along with business partner R K Dhawan on massive 13-storyed European 'Brilliance of seas' cruise that commenced from Barcelona port.

she puts it as: "Its been an incredible experience. I might fall short of words. Warmth and affection showered by the hospitality staff on cruise was unbeatable." Most of the staff members were Indians but only these two Indians were as guest on board. The ship took tourists around Europe: Monte Carlo, Pisa, Rome, Athens, Naples and Livorno. Ship would halt for 7-10 hours at each destination for tourist to enjoy site seeing and shopping spree.

Initially they were scared. Actually, there's a story to it: she narrates, "You know when we boarded the cruise, at the port, our passports were deposited and we were given sea passes." While boarding the ship Mallika dropped her passport. Luckily a white lady saw the pouch of passport dropping from her handbag. Mallika recalls, "She kept on calling me but in vain. Finally, she caught hold of me by my shoulder. I was zapped!! When the white lady handed me my passport, I was touched. Thanks was not just enough, I could have landed in a big trouble." The recollection of the incident still gets her goosepimps.

Entertainment is what makes cruise a rage. No doubt it was lavish and memorable. You name it... they have it... Golf course, casino, walking track, swimming pool, billiards and comprehensive shopping complex. "If amidst Mediterranean sea one gets golf course what more on earth you want." Every floor was exclusive in its own right: 11the floor had 24-hour buffet, dining hall on 4th floor, 12th floor was a walking track and 13th floor had golf course.

To spread happiness around the cruise staff come up with sweet charming gestures. Mallika chortles, "Rooms service boy would daily twist and turn a towel into some animal or other. It would force us to smile from the bottom of my heart. As we were only Indians, for 3-4 days the head chef, an Indian, Harcharan Sawhney specially prepared desi (Indian) food for us."

Ball dance, theme parties, operas and games were everyday feature to keep the travelers amused. As the CD ends, Mallika with tears in here eyes said, ?Kind of care and love extended to one and all, I would love to go on cruise every year.? Around 2,200 avid sea voyagers were on the ship. "Some fickle minded people told us that cabins might stink. Believe me, we didn't suffer any sea sickness," says Ghosh.
To recollect everything and freshen up her memory Mallika takes me along on a vitual trip to the cruise. She plays on memorable CD in which glimpses of her cruising has been trapped:

Natives of different countries: America, Australia, Africa and our two Indians were having a blast. One could see a relaxing happy smile on each face. "See how happily we are enjoying the meal!During meals, we shared table with eight other people, most of them were from England." With this trip close to her heart Malllika stil excanges e-mails with her the British pals.

Changing Indian wedding scene - From loud-n-lavish to up close and personal

2006-11-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

Indian weddings are known to be a bizarre and lavish affair. With dream destination weddings are latest vogue, time is not far when they will be a passe.
Tired of opulent Indian weddings, brides and grooms prefer moving to a holiday spot with a selective guest list. Serene locales of Kasuali, silver-sand beaches of Goa or a farm house in a retro-rural setup make a few popular choice. The idea is, instead of spending fat amount on unending guest-list, why not enjoy every penny with up close and personal near and dear ones. Recently Kasauli, a renowned hill station in India witnessed a pompous wedding bash. A Delhi-based Sanwarian came all the way from to Kasauli with 250 affluent guests to get married. Entire Kasuali was booked to make guests comfortable. Indian wedding planner, Saguna Jain says, “People had enough of extravagant marriages. Escaping to an exotic destination with a caravan of up close and personal ones for solemnizing a wedding is the trend of the day.”
Ajit Tejpal of Kuoni Travel confirms, “Actually, some prefer wedding to be kept as a personal affair. So, taking niche crowd to regaling hotspot for a wedding is catching up.”
Once you book a hotel, just chill! While you take a stroll up and down the vales or enjoy a beach volley-ball, the hotel staff along with wedding planners take care of all arrangements: mehendi, catering, videography, parlour, entertainment of guest and even souvenirs for guest.
But don’t forget to fly with necessary traditional stuff like puja samagari. And, do take along your family pandit to the wedding trip.
Besides exotic hillocks of Kasauli, tranquil and relaxing lawns overlooking the seaside five star property of Goa is a rage. people go ga-ga over getting married amidst the best of nature. A decent gathering of 100 invitees amounts to INR 6-7 lakh for the grand five-star wedding coupled with refreshing holiday. Just a perfect deal!
Director of Wedding Planners Goa, Ranjan quips, “Goa is a hot wedding destination. Missing the natural beauty, lots of north-Indians come down to the city of sun-n-sand. As far as business is concerned, this season is happening and hectic.”

vancouver through the eyes of an Indian

2006-11-08T11:12:00.000-08:00

Gear up for an adventure of lifetime with Manjeet Singh... He is going to take us on a ride to Vancouver, famous for its big-city lifestyle and outdoor fun in such cheek-by-jowl proximity. Skiing in the morning... sailing in the afternoon...and back to town in time for a cocktail at three.. man that's what you call enjoying every bit of it!
Mention the 'beach' and North Indians, like Manjeet, go nutty over it...He cannot help tittering, “Beaches are cool and happening in Vancouver. It's awesome to watch people playing football, volleyball and sunbathing.” Beyond rocky-n-sandy beaches of Vancouver, the clean and green gardens, systematic way of living, spic-n-span environment and disciplined citizens impressed Singh.
During his Canadian trip, he was accompanied by friend Vijay Mahajan to Victoria City. They stayed there for a week. Manjeet recalls, “Victoria is a small and thinly populated city in Vancouver Island, still its well-organised. It's world-renowned for its mannerism.”
Five-days sloughing, then two days die-hard party culture of Victoria fascinated the two friends. It's a city that loves to entertain. Sports and live music take precedence, with theatre very close behind and a healthy comedy scene to boot. "Natives on weekend are willing to doff the bike shorts, throw on their best t-shirt, and go out on the town," he admires.
The two friends had a blast exploring the best of Victoria, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast! Famous for green spaces, counter-cultural and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, Vancouver is a tourist delight. "Gastown, the city's original settlement is another hotspot, now it's being transformed into a gussied-up historical quarter," Manjeet adds.
He was at home with two small cities that can be called mini-India - Sari and Delta -as they could smell Punjabi tint in the air with road signs mentioned in English and Punjabi. "There are temples and gurdwaras all over. Children are taught Punjabi and acknowledged about Punjabi culture in these temples and gurdwaras." The affinity in Indians outside India is amazing. "May be they are more to the soil while living away from it."
When Punjabi language has reached Vancouver, how can Punjabi food and Bhangra be left behind. “Punjabi delicacies are readily available at nook and corner. Not only Indians abroad but even Canadians are crazy for Indian cuisines. Mouthwatering Continental and Chinese foodstuff available there are also hard to resist.”
What Manjeet liked the most in Canada is cleanliness and environment awareness. That's what he wants to bring down to India. Manjeet is amazed that the place is actually dirt free. "You can wear a shirt for two consecutive days and the collars will still be neat," he exclaims.

Vande Matram

2006-08-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

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Vande Matram... Have you stocked your kites to celebrate Independence Day as our motherland, India? She's entering into another year of its independence this August 15, 2006!!

Kite flying celebrations is symbolic of freedom, as is not bound to follow instructions but measure its own directions to enjoy ecstasy of freedom. But what a mockery of freedom it be if we can’t move freely on the Independence Day in our own homeland... Security hassles, terrorist threats, and political gatherings at the various places government head offices... How can a common man feel the liberated? On the contrary, the police and armed forces are on toes to safeguard peace, law, and order today.

Few depressed, frightened souls are so afraid that they have decided to confine them to the sweet home on the two holidays of Aug 15-16 as the vacuum left by last Diwali blasts in Delhi and in recent Mumbai blasts can never be filled in several houses across the length and breadth of India.

Though the celebrations are also on. From students, youngsters and elderly all are pre-occupied in their own way. While many of youth went to their workplaces or even colleges decked up in tri-colour hues even a day before the d-day to be loud about their patriotism. Maybe few are enjoying an independence night out.

Some indulged in listening (on respective daddies request) to the Prime Minister’s speech and grasp where our Hindustan is actually heading to. Come what may but all are sure to make most out of this national holiday even indoors.

Kashmiri Migrants, Kashmiri Shawls...a Wow!!

2006-08-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

Over the years, Cashmere/Kashmiri shawls have shrunk to stolls, yet the pace the industry has grown fast. The warm fabric deserves a wow, especially for the popularity that the Cashmere/ Kashmiri tag enjoys. Lofty price tags, the rarity factor, and appearances of exquisite cashmere shawls on the shoulders of many a heroine in history, literature and on stage have no comparison... Cashmere has been made for centuries, but it used to be much more expensive and rare than it is today, and so was used primarily by royalty. Apparently a European fad for cashmere was started by Napoleon Bonaparte, who gave his wife seventeen cashmere shawls; Queen Victoria had several, and Beau Brummell was the talk of the town with his white cashmere waistcoat. It has an ultimate style statement attached along with the comfort. Cashmere is a type of soft, luxurious goat wool that comes from ‘The paradise on earth’: Kashmir.

No wonder with winter onset wait for Cashmere/ Kashmiri shawlwalas begins… In the afternoon as soon as women, the undisputed patrons of shawls move out in the verandah for basking and chitchatting, the seasonal immigrants from the ‘(paradise) janat on earth’ come riding on bicycles with bundle of exquisite shawls tied on its rest. Pashmina shawls and Pashmina wool apparel are gorgeous, comfortable, and a joy to wear. Pashmina wool is the finest and most exquisite cashmere.

“Well! What can be more handy to brave the cold than a cozy shawl,” says Paramjit Kaur a city-based housewife who is passionate about pashminas. “No woollen can match its elegance. The beauty of this seamless robe lies in its adaptability to adopt wearer’s attitude, be it a maharaja or a destitute,” she adds.

44-year-old matric pass shawl vendor, Mohammed Ramzan Mir from Mattan Khairbug, Anantnag has been coming down to Chandigarh every winter for past 22 years. But each time with a different style statement. He says, “There are many fashion designers, weavers, embroiders and other craftsman involved. So, it has turned into important industry that provides employment to thousands of Kashmiris facing the music.” It appears to be a seasonal job but keeps them on the run round the year. Before moving out of their territory they need to have ample of pieces ready. That’s what keeps them busy in summers.

Mir says: “Due to disturbance in valley, its hard to sustain on tourism. So, to earn dal-chawal for the family and maintain a decent living, we were forced to switch over to a new profession.” It’s better than permanently moving out of your homeland.
Another Kashmiri who eagerly waits for November to come down to the city beautiful is Bashir Ahmed Mir. He rightly calls Chandigarh his second home and addresses Chandigarhians as “style ke shaukin.”

Bashir says: “Every year he is here with his buddies.” They stay in groups of four-five people, including a cook. Though these Kashmiris are regular migrants, yet each time they hit the place they ought to get identification done. “As soon as we reach Chandigarh we would get a house on rent and inform the police station about our residence and get registered on basis of our voter ID card.” Well! Laws are laws and they have accepted it. what bothers them is getting a gas cylinder. “The biggest problem we continue facing year after year is of gas cylinders.”

Hydrogen cars. No petrol!! No diesel!!

2006-08-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

hydrogen cars, hydrogen fuel cell, no pollution, pollution, developed, vehicles, hydrogen vehicles

What's the first think you wish on hitting the road, especially if stuck in a jam is blame round the world's love affair with the fuel-hungry SUVs. Using hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies is a key part of bringing down greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. Fuel cell systems offer a promising technology of the future with advantages that include zero emissions, high efficiency and minimal noise.
—No global warming… no ozone depletion… no acid rain… and 100% pollution free environment—is the utmost need to save our environment. I think God has been now kind to accept the endless prayers of all of us. No kidding man! He has already answered it through the genius scientist who have developed Hydrogen Car… It's a lightweight vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell with enough style and space to compete with luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

These cars generally use the hydrogen in one of two methods: combustion or fuel-cell conversion. In combustion, the hydrogen is "burned" in engines in fundamentally the same method as traditional gasoline cars. In fuel-cell conversion, the hydrogen is turned into electricity through fuel cells which then power electric motors.

What’s more you wanna ask about hydrogen cars… These hydrogen cars come in the clean, "green" future envisioned by energy experts, cars not only get 99 miles per gallon emissions-free, but they may also play a key role in providing electricity to a power-hungry world.
Vehicle developed would be three to four times more expensive than the conventional two- or three-wheeler and the cost of operation would also be more. But as the technology develops, the cost is expected to come down substantially.

The governments world over are helping fund the research for development of hydrogen using renewable sources in place of the present dependence on coal or natural gas. It is also being produced as a by-product in chemical and fertiliser industries.

The new 5 KW fuel cell hydrogen vehicles will usher in a new generation in fuel cell technology. The hydrogen needed to fuel these vehicles can be produced by means that would lower reliance on f oil supplies and thus, provide energy security. Emitting only heat and water as by-products of this process, the fuel cell systems are environment friendly and can run continuously as long as fuel is supplied. Each recharge currently gives around 70 km mileage. Attempts are also on to increase the mileage of the hydrogen vehicle to 100-150 km per recharge.
Hydrogen cars use hydregen derived from water as primary source of power for locomotion. British Columbia’s leadership in the development of hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies, and builds on the commitment to have the world’s first hydrogen highway developed in time for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Richard Neufeld, British Columbia’s Minister of Energy and Mines.

R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada. “By working together, we can make sure Canada continues to be known as a world leader in putting these technologies on the road.” The Government of Canada has invested $4.5 million in this project. No global warming or ozone depletion, renewable, no acid rain, 100% pollution free.

In India, the ministry of non-conventional energy sources (MNES) is hopeful of having hydrogen-driven vehicles on Indian roads by 2007 with International Tractors Ltd (ITL) having agreed to undertake commercial production. "With ITL, which manufactures Sonalika brand of tractors, having agreed to undertake commercial manufacture of two- and three-wheeler hydrogen vehicles developed by the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), we hope to have them available by 2007," said S K Chopra, senior advisor in MNES.

BHU has been using 50 demo vehicles in its campus for the last several years. While development of affordable hydrogen fuel cell vehicles using renewable sources of energy still remains a target for a large number of countries including India, the vehicle developed by the BHU uses metal hydrite or solid rods to store hydrogen, an environment friendly fuel.

The ministry has finalized the hydrogen roadmap that envisages India generating 1,000 MW power and one million hydrogen driven vehicles on the roads by 2020 with an estimated investment of Rs 2500 crore. The roadmap is to be part of the integrated energy policy being finalized

Reva Electric Car Company Pvt Ltd (RECC) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will develop two fuel cell hydrogen vehicles (FCVs) for a pilot project initiated by IOC, to develop hydrogen economy in India.

According to the agreement, RECC will use its expertise to build these hydrogen vehicles with fuel cell power modules and associated components to be sourced from abroad and IOC will provide the infrastructure needed to supply and stock hydrogen and to test the vehicles at its Research and Development (R&D) centre in Faridabad.

Ditched Prince Rescued, Hats Off to Indian Army, Media

2006-07-30T07:47:00.001-07:00

Gujarat Quake, J&K havoc, Tsunami… during these testing times India has been blamed of showing a long face as far as the disaster management is concerned. But this time they did it for Prince, a young 5-year-old boy from Kurukshetra.

The boy trapped in a pit, for more than two days was rescued on his birthday---July 23---by army soldiers in a drama that gripped the nation. Hats off to the Indian Army!! And of course for media for necessary intervention that made us realize that how precious every life is. Zee News not only threw its camera into the ditch to comfirm that Prince is okay, but also sponsored his education. Rest of the media community came up with full support by interrupting their regular schedule and keeping a horse view focus on the lad in trouble.

On the day of his birthday, probably it was a new lease of life for Prince. I was traveling from Delhi to my hometown---Chandigarh for weekend retreat when on way at Krukshetra around 10.30 pm we faced a traffic jam. There was a mass gathering. Totally unaware of the crisis (as I straightaway started for office), for me it was a usual political rally or some Swamijis pravachan (address). On steeping into the house, I was zapped as none of my family reacted with usual warmth, very unlike other weekly reunions… Something was wrong… On enquiring---“What’s the matter?” With a stare asking blatantly if I am coming from Mars, Dad rejoined, “Poor Prince is still in that one foot circumferenced by 60-feet deep ditch. How can they leave such a dangerous ditch just covered with a gunny bag. How foolish!!! Even police has given up. But look at these soldiers, dear. By tomorrow morning he is expected to be out safe and sound!” I couldn’t believe what he said and joined my peers in the TV lobby until next evening.

What’s came to light as shear negligence of the authorities a that made a little kiddo who was busy playing in the verandah landed into a big time trouble. Police gave up… panchayat gave up… but our jawans didn’t bat an eyelid, remaining up! awake! and alert for 50 hours at a stretch, struggling to save the kid with exceptional will power or as they say it unaware of the gravity of the problem.

Not only the nation joined hands, remained glued to the television sets, and prayed together be it Hindus, Muslims, Christains, Parses, or Sikhs but also the international community, especially Holland, joined in for this little lad who had a narrow escape.

Expanding World Economy Shrinking to Globalization

2006-07-21T09:50:00.000-07:00

What has lead to integration of economies worldwide cannot be just a simple, single phenomenon? From the angle of ‘globalization,’ world economy cannot be bifurcated. It has to be viewed as a single market even at the macro 'global' level. This beautiful vast concept that has come to the shore after the signing of WTO in April 1990, can best be compared to a string of multi-colored beads that has incorporated different flowering economic divisions round the seven seas together. The International Monetary Fund defines globalization as a “historical process” involving “the increasing integration of economies around the world, particularly through trade and financial flows.” (“Globalization: Threat or Opportunity?” January 2002.)

“Globalization and deregulation of finance capital had happened so fast and so massively and so recklessly as well that more than stable investment for productive activity and trade, what was experienced was huge flow of destabilizing speculative capital. By 1990, it became the very force driving the world economy.” (Sundaram, N M. May 2006.)
It has become a catch-up concept to describe a range of trends and forces leading to openness, integration and interdependence of economies. In short, LPG process—liberalization, privatization and globalization—has engulfed the earth, ignoring the international boundaries to quiet an extent.

Cost- benefit estimate and discussion of policy measures to mobilize the global response is a routine for economists that can never be termed as mundane with minute-to-minute new developments. They cannot afford to ignore it as these days production area is not regional or sub-sectoral, rather it’s a set of national economies linked by trade and investment flows.

“… the convergence of technology and events that allowed India, China, and so many other countries to become part of the global supply chain for services and manufacturing, creating an explosion of wealth in the middle classes of the world's two biggest nations, giving them a huge new stake in the success of globalization? And with this 'flattening' of the globe, which requires us to run faster in order to stay in one place, has the world got too small and too fast for human beings and their political systems to adjust in a stable manner?” (Friedman, Thomas. April 2005.)

What’s important is optimal utilization of global resources including competitive sourcing of inputs for achieving cost competitiveness in production, economies of scale in operations and efficient technology utilization. Easy movement of product and factor flows across borders involving merchandise trade, services, investment, financial capital, technology and labor. Competition, production and markets become global in nature and goods and services become less distinguishable or identifiable with their country of origin.

Besides, improvements in transport, communication, e-commerce and information technology networks have led to lower cost of transactions and of doing business globally. This has created new ways to organize firms at global level. This macro-process can be narrowed at the micro level of firms. At the independent firm level LPG process means configuration and coordination of activities across national boundaries in order to maximize profit and remain competitive. That’s how the MNC (multi-national companies) culture has been popularized. What exactly has moved the economic circumstances and factors that have spurt the globalization and liberalization is enhanced efficiency in production made possible by increased specialization. In all this, “Information technology (IT) was key to the superior overall macroeconomic performance of the United States in the 1990s—high productivity, high growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. But IT also played a role in increasing earnings.” (Mann, Catherine L; (assisted by) Kirkegaard, Jacob Funk. June 2006.) Easy movement of factors of production across the globe has facilitated MNC firms to locate different parts of their production process in various countries that has made possible the increase in production levels due to better exploitation of economies of scale.

It has resulted in greater worldwide acceptance and commitment to the free trade principle and market economy along with dismantling of planned economies. Though the economic field has increased but the polarizations of organized and unorganized has worsened the scene, increasing the disparity between the two. The idea of “Global Development Network, a global network of research and policy institutes working together to address the problems of national and regional development, was conceived and launched by the World Bank in 1999 at its first annual conference in Bonn.” (http://www.worldbank.org/ieg/gppp/case_studies/information_knowledge/gdn.html.)
As John Nichols has observed (“One Dead, Eighty Injured in Genoa,” The Nation, July 2001.) “The economic policies promoted by the [G8] leaders...are now so unpopular that gatherings must be 'protected' with deadly police violence... .If the croupiers of corporate capital really believe that restructuring the global economy to limit protections for workers, the environment, and human rights represents a positive development, why must they employ deadly force to defend the meetings at which they plot their warped vision of ‘progress’?”

The requirement is of handshake between the global giants to carry forward the small-scale industries in the developing countries, while on the other end, most developed and transitional countries face daunting economic and social problems ranging from persistent unemployment to massive public deficits to unregulated immigration. The problem is as big as the magnitude of globalization demanding immediate attention and consensus of the global community.

Biblography:
· Sundaram, N M. May 28, 2006. FROM UNCTAD TO GATT TO WTO—II: Hopes Of The South Betrayed, People’s Democracy, Vol. XXX No. 22. Weekly Organ of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). India.
· Friedman, Thomas. April 2005. The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Globalized World in the 21st Century. Penguin Group. United Kingdom.
· Mann, Catherine L; (assisted by) Kirkegaard, Jacob Funk. June 2006. Accelerating the Globalization of America: The Role for Information Technology. Institute for International Economics. Washington, DC.
· Case Studies for Selected Global Programs. Global Development Network, http://www.worldbank.org/ieg/gppp/case_studies/information_knowledge/gdn.html.
· Facing the Challenges of Globalization: Equity, Justice and Diversity http://www.globalpolicy.org/ngos/role/globalact/challeng.htm#wh

Smart e-commerce solutions for online bussiness

2006-07-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

Everything About Online Business...

Online business, e-commerce, internet, e-mail, website!

Rule the world at your click….Not kidding man! With the advent of internet, globalization has opened endless online business opportunities. Grab the one that’s right one for you! The speedy and easy connectivity around the globe has revolutionized the online global trade as the busiest business district the world has ever had. Besides being an efficient way of communicating with your present clients it’s a mode of reaching out to all potential customers. E-commerce has turned internet into an international marketplace to sell your products and services.

Name even a single reputed brand or entrepreneur that has chosen not to be present online. Even small entrepreneurs like writers, florists, doctors or the bigwigs in trade and industries like real estate agents, travel agencies to sedan companies….Everybody is making best of the opportunities extended by the internet business. They just follow the thumb rules of e-commerce internet solution. Even educational institutes and internationally reputed universities are offering online diplomas and degrees. Thus, extending their horizons round the globe. Well! You can be the next one. Who knows if you are the next online king…

You don’t need anything more than a computer and business idea. Then while enjoying a cuppa coffee at home, you can simultaneously crack an exciting deal online. Now, are you bothered about transactions? Oh! Stop scratching your brain. Don’t worry at all! You are living in the novel era of smart plastic money where people just credit your bank account or send money through Paypal and Western Union.

Well! Now what are you waiting for…Catch hold of a good web-designer to be on the list of offer a top-selling product website. Your website can be the perfect showcase for people to obtain information about your company and products.

Remember, being a part of internet business, you are no more tied to your office space, rather can operate from anywhere and everywhere. Physical infrastructure is of least importance. You just need to invest maximum on the quality and content as without a good product and services, the effort will be just a waste of time. As here we are talking of the international competitors. Who knows a potential customer is sitting at the other end of the world!

Once your website becomes popular, you also earn through the advertisements that your portal bags. Still, this website should be more than advertising portal. Even small, home-based consultancy internet businesses can be operated successfully and profitably.

Business Idea
Jumping into the foray of this new-age smart commerce called internet business is simple as simple as a cakewalk. The beauty of this trade is, you don’t need fat investments, although it is not realistic to expect to do it for free, rather invest your energy on jotting down a great internet business idea. Knowledge of e-commerce internet solution for business can be an added advantage. It’s it amazing that with such minimum infrastructure you can start your known internet business.

Easy links
Bear in mind that starting your own internet business is not difficult, provided you have a good website. Keep it simply decent with easy links. It must be regularly updated with all minute details. It's the only bridge between you and your potential customer. So, be smart to take full advantage of the Internet's capability of interactive shopping and globally convenient access.

Connectivity
To keep a tab on your business what you all need is a computer and high speed internet facility…That's the key for
e-commerce! Try to grab the maximum internet business info regarding your field through search engines to face the cut throat competition and start working on your website.

Virtual Sample of Product
Give your visitors enough of a sample of your products, they will be able to contact you for others. Nothing speaks better than quality. Just offer the best of quality that you can provide. It will ensure good relationship with the customers. If you have products to sell it is imperative that you give them some way to either buy the product online or get more information in preparation to buying the product.

Say, you are selling houses with a beautiful lakeview. You can incorporate photographs of the houses with contact information and price per square inch for each villa. This will help the potential buyers to decide if they can afford to buy provided you offer an online mortgage calculator.

The gist is – ‘anything that can help individualize the experience will improve the response from your visitors.’ Rest, you have to maintain you standards and credibility. That's the vital rule of the e-commerce internet solution for business.

Promoting your online business
If you're afraid of struggling with the basics of how to put together and promote an online business, you owe it to yourself to visit some very exceptional internet business mentoring sites listed on search engines, where you can learn internet marketing strategy and have a chance to earn while you learn e-marketing.

There are four general types of internet businesses that you can start:

• A portal that sells digital products.
• selling digital products.
• shipping tangibles.
• A business to business and/or service-selling website.

In addition to the above, you can also start either an affiliate marketing business, or can do network marketing online. In both cases, you can start and run these types of online businesses with or without a website.

For most people, the best place to start is to get some good training in online affiliate marketing, since the skills also apply to Network Marketing online, and to selling your own products or services. You can learn some good affiliate marketing secrets here.

Customer Base
Every website you own should include a form where visitors can give you their email address. Of course, only a small percentage of visitors will share that information, but those who do can be developed into future customers and repeat visitors. On the top of each page in this website you will see a form used to establish a mailing list.

E-mail
For your office correspondence take a separate e-mail account. Be prompt to every query. You need to give your visitors and potential customers something to do, some way to interact with you and your website. Of course, the minimum and most common way to do this is to provide an email address so you can be contacted by email either directly or through a form. Amazingly, some websites do not even make that small gesture.

Where have the vultures gone?

2006-07-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

What has decimated the population of vultures is a big question in front of zoologists and other researchers as its disturbing the food chain. though they have been trying there level best to save the species by providing good breeding ground yet the vultures are today under the category of endangered species play an essential ecological role as garbage collectors and recyclers.

This imbalance is affecting the ecological balance. About nine species of vultures live in the Indian subcontinent, and each has a specific ecological role. The void is filled by wild dogs and rats.

Researchers’ vulture study may be over—not because they have solved the mystery, rather because vultures no more remain in significant number on the planet required to carry out a study.

The vulture population is declining drastically due to many reasons, including the veterinary use of drug diclofenac. There are other views about this declining population of vultures. A wildlife conservator of Forests department believes that this decline might be due to scarcity of food for the scavangers as people prefer to bury or burn the corpse of animals, especially cattle, from the hygiene point of view. Hence, the vultures have to depend upon carcass of stray animals.

As the vulture population hovers on the brink of extinction, the India government has embarked on a plan to breed the nature’s scavengers in captivitywith the special permission to capture vultures.

In a forest cover in the foothills of the Himalayas, near Chandigarh researchers have just opened a Vulture Care Center. There they will care for sick vultures and try to identify what's killing these species.
When ill, the birds drop their heads and progressively become more lethargic. The center maintains labs, large aviaries and individual "hospital" aviaries for sick birds that will be monitored by closed-circuit television—an unobtrusive way to monitor the people-shy birds.

Hydrogen cars… No petrol!! No diesel!!

2006-07-08T00:53:00.000-07:00

Pollution free, renewable car fuel
What's the first think you wish on hitting the road, especially if stuck in a jam is blame round the world's love affair with the fuel-hungry SUVs. Using hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies is a key part of bringing down greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change. Fuel cell systems offer a promising technology of the future with advantages that include zero emissions, high efficiency and minimal noise.
—No global warming… no ozone depletion… no acid rain… and 100% pollution free environment—is the utmost need to save our environment. I think God has been now kind to accept the endless prayers of all of us. No kidding man! He has already answered it through the genius scientist who have developed Hydrogen Car… It's a lightweight vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell with enough style and space to compete with luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
These cars generally use the hydrogen in one of two methods: combustion or fuel-cell conversion. In combustion, the hydrogen is "burned" in engines in fundamentally the same method as traditional gasoline cars. In fuel-cell conversion, the hydrogen is turned into electricity through fuel cells which then power electric motors.
What’s more you wanna ask about hydrogen cars… These hydrogen cars come in the clean, "green" future envisioned by energy experts, cars not only get 99 miles per gallon emissions-free, but they may also play a key role in providing electricity to a power-hungry world.
Vehicle developed would be three to four times more expensive than the conventional two- or three-wheeler and the cost of operation would also be more. But as the technology develops, the cost is expected to come down substantially.
The governments world over are helping fund the research for development of hydrogen using renewable sources in place of the present dependence on coal or natural gas. It is also being produced as a by-product in chemical and fertiliser industries.
The new 5 KW fuel cell hydrogen vehicles will usher in a new generation in fuel cell technology. The hydrogen needed to fuel these vehicles can be produced by means that would lower reliance on f oil supplies and thus, provide energy security. Emitting only heat and water as by-products of this process, the fuel cell systems are environment friendly and can run continuously as long as fuel is supplied. Each recharge currently gives around 70 km mileage. Attempts are also on to increase the mileage of the hydrogen vehicle to 100-150 km per recharge.
Hydrogen cars use hydregen derived from water as primary source of power for locomotion. British Columbia’s leadership in the development of hydrogen and fuel-cell technologies, and builds on the commitment to have the world’s first hydrogen highway developed in time for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Richard Neufeld, British Columbia’s Minister of Energy and Mines.
R. John Efford, Minister of Natural Resources Canada. “By working together, we can make sure Canada continues to be known as a world leader in putting these technologies on the road.” The Government of Canada has invested $4.5 million in this project. No global warming or ozone depletion, renewable, no acid rain, 100% pollution free.
In India, the ministry of non-conventional energy sources (MNES) is hopeful of having hydrogen-driven vehicles on Indian roads by 2007 with International Tractors Ltd (ITL) having agreed to undertake commercial production. "With ITL, which manufactures Sonalika brand of tractors, having agreed to undertake commercial manufacture of two- and three-wheeler hydrogen vehicles developed by the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), we hope to have them available by 2007," said S K Chopra, senior advisor in MNES. BHU has been using 50 demo vehicles in its campus for the last several years. While development of affordable hydrogen fuel cell vehicles using renewable sources of energy still remains a target for a large number of countries including India, the vehicle developed by the BHU uses metal hydrite or solid rods to store hydrogen, an environment friendly fuel. The ministry has finalized the hydrogen roadmap that envisages India generating 1,000 MW power and one million hydrogen driven vehicles on the roads by 2020 with an estimated investment of Rs 2500 crore. The roadmap is to be part of the integrated energy policy being finalized Reva Electric Car Company Pvt Ltd (RECC) and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) will develop two fuel cell hydrogen vehicles (FCVs) for a pilot project initiated by IOC, to develop hydrogen economy in India. According to the agreement, RECC will use its expertise to build these hydrogen vehicles with fuel cell power modules and associated components to be sourced from abroad and IOC will provide the infrastructure needed to supply and stock hydrogen and to test the vehicles at its Research and Development (R&D) centre in Faridabad.

Youthful biz

2006-06-08T05:32:00.000-07:00

Awakened youth

Time and again youth has been innocently blamed for fundo-fundas, immature aggression and recklessness. In an effort to put up a positive image, somehow Gen-Y seems have channelised energy over a period as a sizeable chunk is not only engaged in studies but also making quick bucks by taking up part-time jobs.

Thanks to this era's novel employment avenues like BPO and IT industry for extending ample of opportunities even to inexperienced graduates and under-graduates. It has also instigated a drive: 'Don't waste your youth in growing up!' along with a rational approach to hard work whether for more pocket money, experience or just simple peer pressure.

A new 'go-getter' approach to life is developing among our future generation. As a sizeable chunk of young blood are managing the two fronts: studies and jobs simultaneously, it's evident that generation Y appears to have grown in terms of maturity and responsibilities faster than generation X.

Nishu student of bachelors of humanities and vocational cosmetology diploma is working at a leading multi-national saloon in the city. Till 11.30 am, it's college and then upto 8 pm bridal make-ups and hairdos that keep her occupied.Nishu says, "It's hectic but family and teachers are co-operative and encouraging enough. They keep my spirits high." Initially, she started with summer job as she wanted practical experience but her lecturers suggested to continue with the job. Nishu adds, "They asked me to get good grade along with it. Keeping up the promise I managed distinction, so there's no problem."

For another smart earner, 19-year-old teeny campus-goer named Vikram Benial, son of a government employee, sustaining a decent lifestyle is not a question but to enjoy the luxuries is. But all that seemed to be at an arms length when he got a break at a Chandigarh-based BPO. Vikram says, "Today or tomorrow I have to work. The early you realize your responsibilities, the better it is." Ask him if it's difficult to manage his schedule, he rejoins, "But it's worth it! Not only I enjoy my salary but also the company of my age mates at work. Moreover, when I will apply for higher studies I will gain weightage due to this experience."

Ferns 'n' Petals

A beam of excitement appears to cast a persuasive financial effect of charismatic flowers when it comes to floral biz. It’s seems to be charmed with mystical blows.

Supporting this unrivalled truth, Preetinder Kaur, discovered an incredible way of blooming financially by deliver adorable bouquets and choco-box round the world, joining the bandwagon of the Ferns-n-Petals. “Sitting far way from your loved ones, no one minds to spend on alluring flowers that can always win a billion dollar smile to much-loved ones, be it your beloved, a friend in distress or a your family,” Preetinder explains.
In this hi-tech era, besides, e-business is quiet paying, besides, operating locally, provided you have the right contacts. “On the Mother’s Day, we received around 50 orders from outstation. Similarly, one can place an order on our company website to send flowers and greetings to anybody across the globe,” Preetinder boasts.

A connoisseur in the arena of style with a degree in fashion designing, she believes in the concept of flowers on anything to everything. To open a retail outlet of Ferns and Petals, it involved a total investment of Rs 8 lakh that my family helped me out with. Preetinder adds, “It’s all been a family affair. My brother, Harisharan Singh, and hubby- Harinder Singh - stood besides me till the inauguration of this showroom done buy my grandpa- Hardeep Singh,” she said.

It demands a lot of commitment; there is a team of trained gardeners from Delhi who come up with innovating ideas and give a fresh look to the displays after few days. “Being practical, we try to save on the overheads locally, as our driver manages the deliver or sometimes even my husband, who has been a strong support, has to be bothered for odd time deliverance,” she adds.
Bonding people from corner to corner via contemporary dry and fresh flowers clubbed with props like a candle stand, a glass tube or even a mini cycle, the Ferns-n-petals also has lot of style statement attached to it. “We use a combination of stuff like tinted broom sticks, pebbles, Fenshui lucky bamboos, and stuff toys to enhance the arrangement,” she adds.
With a variety of flora around, there is much to roses and gladiolas. “People need to be updated with what latest. It’s not about necessity, rather about desire to live it up.”

Whose's being 'Banglored'!!!

Bangloring implies world’s envy, India’s pride and refers to booming IT and ITS sectors in the country

‘You got your job banglored’ this phrase has found its space among slang comments worldwide. ‘Bangloring’ actually talks of the world’s envy and India’s pride…Not because it refers to India’s Silicon Valley – Banglore – but to the booming IT and ITES sectors in the country.

A person is said to be ‘banglored’ when he loses a job because his work has been outsourced to Banglore or any other Indian city. However, every time Indian IT gurus overhear ‘bangloring,’ it brings a sense of achievement to them.

In this global community, whosoever is capable of providing the best of industry will gain business. Prena Kalra, the human resource executive of Quark, Mohali, says, “Coinage of this terminology itself says all about the Indian IT and ITES sector. It’s a positive sign for the Indian economy.”

Recounting an interesting incident that took place during a trip to Europe, the chairman of Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council for Punjab, Harjinder Singh Kahlon says, “On a recent business trip to Bavaria when I found inquisition about the BPO industry there, a senior officer refused to provide me with details. He was afraid that we Indians might attract offshore companies to our country, offering a better bargain.”

The Bavarian officer’s reservations didn’t bother him, rather he took it as a compliment. Proud Harjinder further demands help from the government to take our country forward in this prospering arena of technology. He adds, “We have gained on outsourcing because of cost-effectiveness, quality and talent pool. But there’s room for more development. The government should boost research and development in the IT sector by facilitating with economical incubation centers.”

While many IT players are boasting of national goals, others are busy checking bank balance as the smart souls are minting dollars sitting here in India. What a business sense!
Meet general manager of BPO Sachitel Communications, Jaswinder Singh, Chandigarh, who does not believe in leaving motherland for money. He quips, “You make a mark if you earn in dollars and spend in rupees. That’s saving, and we take pride being leaders in such a business through outsourcing.”

LPG Trend in internatonal business

Globalisation is not a single phenomenon. It has become a catch-all concept to describe a range of trends and forces leading to openness, integration and interdependence of economies. In short LPG Process -Liberlisation, privatisation and globalisation.
Estimates are presented for economic damages, ranging from agricultural losses and sea level rise to loss of forests, water scarcity, electricity requirements for air conditioning, and several other major effects. The study concludes with a cost- benefit estimate for international action and a discussion of policy measures to mobilize the global response.
This has lead to intergration of economies worldwide where economy is viewed as a single market even at the macro 'global' level. Production area is regional or sub-sectors rather than a set of national economies linked by trade and investment flows.

Cross border operations of economic activities – production, investment, financing, technology utilisation and marketing.
Optimal utilisation of global resources including competitive sourcing of inputs for achieving cost competitiveness in production, economies of scale in operations and efficient technology utilisation.
Easy movement of product and factor flows across borders involving merchandise trade, services, investment, financial capital, technology and labour.
The internationalisation of consumption – consumers are buying more foreign products.
Competition, production and markets become global in nature and goods and services become less distinguishable or identifiable with their country of origin.
At the firm level, globalisation would refer to a process in which firms configurate and coordinate their activities across national boundaries in order to maximise profit and remain competitive.
The economic circumstances and factors that spur globalisation and liberalisation is enhanced efficiency in production made possible by increased specialisation. Besides, Improvements in transport, communication and information technology networks have led to lower cost of transactions and of doing business globally This has created new ways to organise firms at global level.
Increased production levels due to better exploitation of economies of scale made possible by the increased size of the market.
Greater worldwide acceptance and commitment to the free trade principle and market economy and dismantling of planned economies.
Easy movement of factors of production across national borders. This had facilitated firms to locate different parts of their production process in different countries.

SIDELIGHTS OF HIGH COURT

2006-02-02T02:20:00.001-08:00

Enter the High Court and the premises will treat you with sumptuous aroma of mithai, pakoras and tea. Even inside when you will ask anyone for a teastall, everyone is sure to guide you to Bindu chaiwala, saying: “This is not an ordinary stall. There’s an interesting history to it.” and that’s true. The shop, serving delectable Lahore special ‘barfi’ and ‘malai mar ke chai,’ belongs to third generation stall runners, the trio of Sharma brothers: Pitambar, Arvind and Bhupinder. They got it as inheritance from father Pandit Prem Nath, who also was earlier at Lahore and Simla High court serving chai-nashta to judges and advocates like his father Pandit Parsuram. So as the Punjab and Haryana High court moved from Lahore, Simla, Amritsar (for a short span) to Chandigarh the family moved along.
“Our shop is as old as the high court,” says Pitambar, a graduate who is happily following footsteps of his father.
Talking about the tea-culture in India, that has become staple now. He says, “My dad used to say that decades ago none would have tea but milk. The British made it popular in India. We still serve tea with malai that’s a bit more nourishing than ordinary tea.”
As Pitambar is busy preparing tea, a tall man adorning that black robe enters the shop, with happiness written clearly on his face, and says, “Chal sab da muh mitha kara.” Be it celebrating a win, an occasion like Diwali or somebody getting promoted from peon to judge this sumptuous barfi is an essential part of all merriment in the high court.
Relishing a cuppa of tea, the advocate adds, “Bindu’s preparation is out of the world. Our off-shore relatives who visit us in winter holidays demand nothing else but the khalas mithai.” The recipe for much-talked about barfi is pure milk and sugar that’s made in a large karavi in the small shop. Arvind says, “Time has changed but not our grandpas’ recipe.”

DUBAI

2006-02-02T02:20:00.000-08:00

The Middle East has two faces. One holds on to old ‘Olive tree’ values and the other, promoting duty-free mall and family tourism. Dubai falls into the latter. The place is a heady concoction of past and the future: an upbeat city and timeless desert.
Landing at the Dubai airport, Alampreet Singh was taken back by the distinctive blend of east and west -The old world charm and hospitality clubbed with the new world comfort and convenience. He was zapped to find lush green lawns in the desert. That’s how Dubai offers the visitor a fascinating kaleidoscope of contrasts.
Alam supports the view that it’s emerging as the future business destination. In a short span the way Dubai has come to that international platform is unbelievable. “Six-lane roads, dotted with state-of-art shopping arcades, beach Museums and other high rise buildings, and aromatic food courts remind visitors of the famous Oxford Street or Madison Avenue, reviving the European experience,” says this globetrotter.
Nothing can be as bizzare as a Dubai national asking this Punjabi ‘Hore bhaji ki hal hai,’
Alam says, “At first, I was stunned to hear a person in that country talking in my mother tongue. It’s a mullti-national world.”
You are sure to bang into number of Pakis and Indians there, especially at Meena Bazzar. To get update on what’s new and hep in the Asian fashion, they all hang around at this Indian market. “You can pick up all Indian stuff there – gold, jewellery and dresses but what pulls the maximum crowd is ‘golgapa’ stall,” titters Alam.
Shopping is in itself an experience in Dubai, with large supermarkets called Souk, selling the best of a product range. “If you wanna pick gold, visit the Gold Souk that offers a whole range of designs and caratage.”
When it comes to entertainment, you cannot call Dubai unadventurous with so many carnivals simultaneously happening. Alam says, “It’s a happening place. Carnivals are organized to keep the tourists amused. People love to be a part of festivity. There’s a lot of activity but not very stark and open.”
Purpose of Alam’s trip, besides leisure, was to have a closer look at the Knowledge Village of Bits Pilani University. In the country that fast adapting to the globalisation, the education system is also at par with the world.
“Law and order is strict,” says Alam. This keen observer was surprised to see women decked with gold moving around freely. “At any given time dames are darning kilos of gold absolutely safe and sound!”

DANISH MISS UNIVERSE

2006-02-02T02:19:00.001-08:00

This proud Danish, who contested for Miss Universe 2005 for Denmark was in city beautiful on Saturday. Miss Scandinavia: Ramneek Gitte Hanspal peaches complexion, high cheekbones and sparkling eyes are not as winsome as her charming smile, standing true to the middle name Gitte, that means goddess.
But all gabru’s who are bowled over by the gorgeous dame, mind you that she not only comprehends Punjabi, rather is fluent enough in our boli. And, she’s engaged to her love interest Navkiran Singh whom she calls: “Apna Punjabi Munda from Bhalth in Jalandhar and settled in Denmark.”
This light-eyed beauty pageant has no tantrums. She rather spreads her charms with polite, yet in her face attitude. Her success mantra is - ‘Never say no,’ who knows where an opportunity awaits you.
Born to Punjabi father Rajinder Singh and Danish mother Ulla, Ramneek seems to be more attached to Indian roots. Interestingly, her mother made her familiar with Punjabi language and culture. “Mom learnt Punjabi and taught us too. She even recites Shabad Gurbani.”
Hanspal came to Chandigarh for her Kangan ceremony. “I wanted to have the ceremony here amidst my paternal family. I do stay way from them, yet I’m closer to them than my maternal-Dan kin.” Because of her gastronomic interests in sarsong ka saag, tandoori chicken and butter chicken, this dame learnt cooking Indian delicacies too. “I savour Punjabi food. It’s only gymning that keeps me in shape.”
Ramneek says, “In Denmark winning a beauty pageant is not as grand an achievement as in India.” She repents, “Had I contested for India, I would have enjoyed strong backing.” Being movie buff and die-hard fan of Amitabh Bachchan, Ramneek always wanted to climb to the glitzy glamour world. “I love Bollywood flicks and it had a strong impact on me. Since childhood, I dreamt of being a part of tinsel town.” After winning Miss Denmark title, she now wants to first get through master degree in Management in Innovation and Business Development. “After completing my PG, I would like to walk on Indian ramp or shake a leg in music videos.”

BELL THE CAT

2006-02-02T02:18:00.000-08:00

Taming the CAT! Pressure is mounting on management aspirants as the date for major MBA entrance, CAT, is drawing nearer. It’s just a day away! No matter how tough it maybe, the mantra of management gurus’ is - ‘Chilax and keep your cool.’ Go for a shopping spree, chill out with friends or go for a movie.
Stop cramming up formulae at the last moment. CAT is all about testing your managerial skills. It’s aptitude that’s important, so bookworm attitude doesn’t assure a good score. City-based Amitesh Rattan, who is presently pursuing MBA at IIM (Lucknow) says over phone, “No practice test now. At the last minute, relax and store your energies for the D-day. That’s what I exactly did.”
Be confident and give your best shot to CAT. Remember, tension will only make you loose half the battle, so relax. Psychologist of GMCH, BS Chavan believes that pressure is obivious but mind it. It should not interfere with your performance. He advices, “Take atleast seven-hour nap is important for good concentration. Go for a walk, pursue some hobby, meditate and exercise to maintain your calm. Take a balanced diet including veggies, milk and fruits.”
In the examination hall, don’t bother about pattern or format of questions. And, because of negative marking, it’s a strict no-no to hit and trial method of blindly ticking the answer-sheet.
The man who has authored a book on solved CAT papers and taught several MBA students over a span of 10 years, Dinesh Kumar, says, “When you have worked hard for months together, why to worry. The idea of CAT is to test your management skills under stress as later you have to be upfront with customer problems.”
At the end of the day, state of mind matters the most. Suvidh Arora who is of mentoring MBA aspirants at a city-based institute says, “Positive approach is required. We organized a yoga camp at Sukhna lake to help students coping the pressure and taught them asanas to help them fighting stress.”

CAROLS

2006-02-02T02:16:00.001-08:00

‘Jingle Bells’ are tinkling across the city as Christmas is round the corner. while people have started marinating the Christmas cakes, carol singers are gearing up to greet near and dear ones in the most melodious way. All will gather round a bonfire on terrace to shake a leg on tuneful carols and relishing delicious cakes and dry fruits.
Charles Samuel, principal of Mount Carmel, who enjoys devotional singing quips, “Chalking out a list of friends that carol-group will visit does not work. Once you start singing at porch of one house, the whole locality would join in. Neighbours would then invite you to their houses.” Wife Annie Samuel titters, “The group ends up singing for days together. And finally, on Christmas everyone will complain of bad throat.”
The Samuels have carol and other devotional albums - “Lets Praise the Lord” and “Yishu Ke Pass”- to their credit. Even junior Samuels – Jefferson and Jonnathan are part of it. None learnt singing professionally but as they say – ‘Practice makes a man perfect.’
Charles says, “Since childhood I have been into carol singing. I composed few devotional numbers that the family insisted to treasure.” That’s how they planned to come out with soulful albums. The Samuels are a part of choir at Church in Sector 41 too.
‘Silent Night’ and ‘Oh! Holy Night’ are couple’s all time favourite. But junior Samuels love fast tracks. Elvis Presley’s “Snow is falling” is 15-year-old Jonnathan’s favourite, besides ‘Jingle bell.’ Talking about carol singing, Jonnathan titters, “At night you go around houses, sing songs and party hard – that’s the ultimate fun!”
Annie recalls one interesting incident. She says, “Once Charles and I were singing at Ladies Park in Simla. Famous music directors’ Laxmi Kant-Parey Lal heard us. They approached Charles for some Bollywood number and assured good fat amount.” But this devote singer refused. Charles says, “My voice is dedicated to God.”

CAROLS

2006-02-02T02:16:00.000-08:00

TRAVELOGUES

2006-02-02T02:12:00.000-08:00

How about studying in the lap of lush green mountains overlooking the sea in Australia?
Gradually, the southern hemisphere’s tourist hub has turned into a global educational centre. Every year many Indians fly down to Australian Universities quite unaware of what’s the place has to offer. First few months are spent more in adjusting to the Aussie lifestyle.
But before sending child to a foreign land for studies, a paranoid mom RH Singh, founder director of Smart Kids Kindergarten took the pain of visiting Australia. She checked campus life, staying arrangements, standard of living and other necessary things to her satisfaction. Aussie faculty was quite taken back at an Indian mother coming all the way just to get the feel of the place.
“After my trip to Australia I am ready to send my son, Alammohan Singh to join RMIT University, Melbourne,” says Singh. Being an Indian, she was happy to see not much of western influence striking Australia. Aussies are family oriented people. Kids continue living with parent till they are settled.
Combining leisure with work, after Melbourne Singh headed towards Sydney and later moved to Auckland, New Zealand.
“The Australian capital is like any other metropolitan city in the world fast and busy. Life runs at a much faster pace than time.” During two days of stay in Sydney, Singh spent most of her time at Habour Bridge or Opera House. “When young, I would dream about standing at Harbour Bridge quietly. I finally came true. There was lot of movement around, lot of sound of cluttering, music of operas and people busy enjoying themselves.”
Surfing and yoking at the exotic beaches is a delight. For party animals there are numerous nightclubs and casinos to enjoy the evening.
“I met one of students there, who advised me to visit Crown Casino. Waiters, ushers ands barmen all were decent in mannerism. Exclusive juxtapositioning of flowers and light created a scintillating live show amidst all casino activity.”
Then Singh moved on to another Southern retreat – Auckland. It was Diwali time. For first time after marriage this dedicated mother was away from husband Harmohan on both Diwali and her birthday. She also missed her mom, Amrita Kohli. But friends with whom she stayed over: Sonia and Ripu in Melbourne, Manjeet and Veenu in Sydney and Premjit and Opinder in Auckland made her feel at home.
Singh could never imagine that Diwali is that popular even in the other part of the globe. She recollects, “Just like India, on Diwali there was merriment all around with drink, dinner and dance, plus the dazzling fireworks.”
One Tree Hill, the second highest volcanic peak in Auckland, next to Mount Eden, offers views of the city and has a huge obelisk at the top.
This avid traveler prefers not to have Indian food in a foreign land, rather relish the local flavour. Recalling what’s available on platter in Melbourne, Singh says, “Food was not a problem.” Like Mumbai, every second place in Melbourne is an eating joint. All cuisine: Italian, Lebanese, Chinese, Italian, Paki and even Sri Lankan are available there.”Talking about two most countries famous for dairy products, how can one forget about chocolates. “In markets and shopping areas have lot of pastry-shops. Delicious chocolates diary products, meat, cheese and oversized hybrid vegetable are what all cater to the local taste buds.”

VANCOUVER
Gear up for an adventure of lifetime... as Manjeet Singh is going to take us on a ride to Vancouver, famous for its big-city lifestyle and outdoor fun in such cheek-by-jowl proximity. Ski in the morning, sail in the afternoon and still make it back to town in time for a cocktail or three.
Beach is what North Indians go nutty about. Manjeet says, “Beaches were cool. People enjoyed playing football, volleyball and sunbathing.” Beyond rocky-sandy beaches, clean and green gardens, the systematic way of functioning, spick-n-span environment and discipline impressed Singh.
During his Canadian trip, he went with his friend Vijay Mahajan to Victoria City for a week. He says “Victoria City is very small and thinly populated city in Vancouver Island, still the system it’s very organized.”
Five-days sloughing, then two days to party fascinated him the most. Natives there are always willing to doff the bike shorts, throw on their best t-shirt, and go out on the town. It's a city that loves to entertain. Sports and live music take precedence, with theatre very close behind and a healthy comedy scene to boot.
The two friends had a blast exploring the best of Victoria, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast! Famous for green spaces, countercultural and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, Vancouver is a tourist delight. Gastown, the city's original settlement, now transformed into a gussied-up historical quarter is another hotspot, he adds.
He calls Vancouver a small India with two cities - Sari and Delta – carrying the Punjabi tone with road signs in both English and Punjabi. There are temples and gurdwaras all over Canada.
When Punjabi language has reached Vancouver, how can Punjabi food be left behind. “Continental and Chinese food stuff available there are lip-smacking. Punjabi specialities can also be easily tried. Not only Indian abroad but Phirangs are crazy for Punjabi cuisine.”
Out of astonishment Manjeet says that the place is actually dirt free. You can wear a shirt for two consecutive days and the collars will still be neat.

LEH
‘In the land of Lamas, don’t behave like a Gama,’ this interesting caution is a common site in Leh. And city-based industrialist Arvinder Singh who frequently zooms through the cold desert explains us the why of it.
“Route to Leh is a scenic delight! It has skin piercing bitter breeze, deadly calmness and lofty mountains to offer,” he titters. In the adverse weather to rescue masons from much botheration of construction Arvinder supplies cemented sheets that makes construct a house possible in few hours.
Well! Unlike many travellers who prefer taking a road this roady loves to flip on his sedan to Leh. “Travelling by road helps you to get climatised to the rising altitude,” he suggests.
Crossing five passes, enjoying the panoramic views at lakes and origin of Chenab and Satluj, Spiti makes this journey out of the world experience. “After Rohtang there is no vegetation for miles together. You need to carry lot of grub, juices and foremost a hot water-bottle to sustain the cold,” advises Arvinder.
After Bara Lacha and Lachungla passes, the next destination would be the world’s highest pass – Tang Langa. He quips, “There is no second chance there. One rain and landslides come blocking the roads. There are enough petrol-pumps but tyres can go flat anytime, so you ought to be ready with puncture tape.” Or it’s better to get on tubeless ones.”
Throughout the path you will be accompanied by rivulet and cascading waterfalls. Near Chander taal you are sure to bang into many Europeans near who come all the way to enjoy cycling. “These hard souls are used to such weather for them is pleasant,” chortle Arvinder. They love riding to Leh where they spend months together. “Cheap accommodation, amicable habitats and hospitable guest house at the amazingly beautiful spot- what else do they need?” questions Arvinder. But on hitting leh you need a minimum three days of rest to adapt to the dipping mercury that goes as far as –20 degree Celisus.
Thereafter its time to head towards Pangong Tso, the hollow lake. Only it’s one-third-part falls in India and the rest in China. This calm, clear and unending expanse is one of biggest lake in Asia at an altitude of 14,200 feet.
“Mapping Pangong gives a sense of achievement. Even armymen look at you respectfully, when you mention Pangong,” Arvinder says. Its crystal clear water plays with sunlight to display the bands of rainbow hues.

GARDENING

2006-02-02T02:07:00.000-08:00

Step into Bewli’s villa in Sector 36 and calm and serene ambience extends a warm welcome. It’s mundane exteriors and unadorned doorway won’t hint you about artistic treasure trapped in it. It’s owner Brig Bewli, the director, Survey of India, who is also the president of National Cactus and Succulent Society of India has a passion for traveling and picking up the most exotic flora round the globe.
As you walk down the cobbled pathway, you can see a well-maintained backyard teaming with plant life. From Japanese maple, Chinese elm, South African euphrasia and Howarthia to Indonesian carmona macrophylla, he has over 500 plant species. Amidst well-pruned bonsais and succulents, miniature earthen horses and bells look explicitly beautiful.
BrigBewli says, “One needs knowledge of horticulture techniques and creativity to pursue such obsession.” He has eight to 12 years old plants. He has named a few bonsai arrangements like forest, Antarctic. Brig Bewli’s favourite one is the arrangement is Antarctica that has black rocks from Antarctica that he has personally. While wife Amarjeet Kaur relishes fruits of miniature kachnar – Paracantha.
“I have brought up all these plants in my own hands.” Amarjeet adds, “The way he is engrossed with greenery I prefer not to interfere.” That’s her perfect way of supporting him.
But she can’t help complaining about Brig Bewli’s green rage. Whenever they escape for a holiday retreat, she wants to shop around the malls. Somehow, even in an alien city hubby manages to find people mad about gardening. On top of it, whether his new friends like it or not, Brig Bewli will scissor their plants and guide them on plant up keeping. On this, Brig Bewli says, “Unheathy plants upset me.” Be it Bangalore’s Lal Bag or Calcutta Botanical garden, he has tipped gardeners all over. After a small walk across the beautiful green patch at Bewli villa we headed towards his drawing room.
The moment you step in, a life size carved starfish, hung on white plastered wall, will steal your attention. Look down and Greb, an aquatic bird with prominent beak, resting along with camel and six-feet dinosaur are staring at you. Now turn around and you will find snakes climbing the wall.
Amarjeet Kaur told ToC that artifacts have also been carved by Brig Bewli. This master of varied traits is inspired by nature. At 54, CS Bewli says, “Passion knows no age.” Be it gardening or carving, he wants to know A to Z about it. He had been scarping the masterpieces with sharp glass himself.
After screening through the wooden marvels, we move to his terrace where succulents are safely housed on wrought iron stand. Some plants are waiting in shade to grow. Then, they will be exposed to direct sunlight.
Passionate CS Bewli feels that there is not sufficient space in one kanal house. While Amarjeet thanks God that after staying on second floor of a flat they have been blessed with own house.

BONSAI

Pursuing a hobby is considered to be the best way to beat hectic urbane lifestyle. And it’s all the more great if you are indulging in the living art form, Bonsai. Countering the space limitations, it offers a respite to man’s desire to stay close to nature by replicating the beauty of mature trees and landscape to narrow confines.
With the spurt in flat-accommodation in green and clean Chandigarh, the bonsai culture is gaining popular. Among a total of 200 members of Bonsai Club (India) 100 are from the tricity itself.
Using twisted wires and pruning skills on roots, trunk and branches, the practitioners of Bonsai art create visual delights like cascading Bougainvilleas, shaping it near to it’s natural mold. Lot of hard work and patience goes into it. Over a span of two-three years, as the plant matures into a full bonsai, bearing flowers. “The creator experiences immense joy similar to that of a parent feels when his baby starts walking,” says horticulture expert and landscape artiste Anil Kaushik. He is the one to initiate the Bonsai Club six years back. He calls Bonsai the art of re-creating nature as miniature.
Kaushik says, “Man’s innate creativity has evolved and honed various forms of art which include landscaping and making of Bonsai.”
Starting with the abc of growing bonsai making, the club imparts training to amateurs. Weekly meeting are held where the members bring their bonsais to practically discuss the problems. Kaushik says, “Any person with some basic knowledge of plants and aesthetic sense can make the beautiful living art form. But it requires lot of patience.”
Tips on bonsai:
Plants with small leaves and woody trunk, makes good bonsai.
Use a proper shallow container. Its depth should be as much as the thickness of the trunk.
Trunk should flare at the base and taper gradually from base to apex, giving the aged looks.
There should be more foliage behind the trunk than in front to give it greater depth.
Tree should never lean back, and should bow forward.

WINTER GARDENING
Anything to feast eyes on greenery! To see fresh green leaves or tiny leaves coming out of stalks in fog Chandigarhians love to dare gardening in this piercing winter. With lush green garden and vibrant flowers decking the lawns, gardening makes as a popular hobby.
As in winter you risk frost, it's time to bring in some of the non-hardy plants so that they can over winter indoors. But before you start digging up your plants and plunking them in pots in front of your window first get geared up with the best winter garden fertilizer, compost. An avid gardener who has been taking care of green patches round the city for more than a decade, Ramesh Chauhan says, “Compost provides minerals to the plant. Avoid putting too much artificial nitrogen fertilizer, as it will increase the plant growth. This new growth is very much affected when the temperature goes down.”
Chauhan quips, “Choose vigorously growing, healthy plants to bring inside. Dig them up carefully, get as much of the root mass as possible. Place the plant in a good size pot with ample of soil.” Older leaves of most garden plants turn yellow as they're moved inside. “Prune them,” gardener Ramesh suggests, “it will encourage fresh leaves to shoot out.” Moderate watering is required, but not more than once a week in this chill. “Over watering can act as the harsh killer of houseplants so test the soil before you water,” he adds.
And, beware of bugs! Indoor plants are more prone to bugs, as plants hide unwanted stowaways when brought in. “While plants are outside, pests are controlled by natural biological controls but as soon as you bring them indoors. Check all leaves. If it looks like you have some insect activity, spray pesticides, especially underside.”
Know, for potted plants, make sure to lift them out of the pot and check for slugs. Flick them out before you place your plant back.

CACTUS SHOW
Spikiness and structural marvel beauty of cactus carved in perfect symmetry aesthetically inspires a connoisseur. None other plant, besides cactus, has the distinction to thrive in faulty ecosystem, be it barren lands, uneven hillocks, snow clad mountain, arid deserted valleys and gorges, hyper saline lagoons or stinking marshy lands.
To celebrate the variety of over 65 genus of cacti, the National Cactus and Succulent Society of India and HUDA organised 28th Annual Show of Cactus and Other Succulent Plants.
Out of around 1600 magnificent entries competing for prickly contest, judges, a majority of who were industrialists, decided to award chairperson Ravi Lal’s plants as both the ‘Queen of the show and Best flowering succulent’ and president Brig CS Bewli’s green-baby as ‘King of the show.’ Each sub-categories like mammillaria, rebutia, ariocarpus, parodia and notocactus announced its own separate winners.
Nurseries across India: Nanital, Kalingpong and Patiala, displayed exotic colourful cacti assortment, nominally priced at Rs 25 onwards, at the spiny show in Lajpat Rai Bhawan. One of the members, Mrs Popli said that years back when I first visited the succulent exhibition, I had fallen for the thorny marvel. So, she decided to become member of the society.

Delay of four days in holding the Annual Chrysanthemum Show has come as a blow to the participants as it has lowered their chances of winning in various categories. Most of the participants are blaming the Municipal Corporation for sacrificing the interests of the growers `to accommodate chief guests.’’
OP Sood, an authority on the subject, a seasoned judge at various flower shows and first in the city to organise Chrysanthemum show in 1964 says,`` The Chrysanthemum show should be on first Sunday of December because that is the time when these flowers peak. Considering the fact that if centre of the flower blooms, it gets disqualified from the show, lot of participants are going to get disappointed with changed schedule of the show.’’
The delay by a few days has dampened the spirit of some avid participants since after toiling hard and sweating over nurturing the beautiful chrysanthemums for months, they believe a week’s delay can affect their chances of winning in the show. The delay comes in wake of President’s visit to the city on December 9 for High Court’s Golden Jubilee Celeberations.
Horticulture inspector, Manu Singh of Chandigarh Housing Board that has grown over 900 flowering grafts, is bothered about the results, due to the postponement of the show. “Through horticulture we can adjust the flowering period by a week or fortnight. As the date of competition was announced much in advance, a fortnight ago we kicked off all preparations. But with the delay, 50 per cent plantations will be in no state to compete, especially, double-ball and spider chrysanthemums,” he says.
To make every plant blossom at its best on D-day, the gardener takes extra care and moves in a phased manner. He increases watering frequency, keep plants in direct sunlight and adds fertilizers.
Industrialist Varinder Sharma who loves nurturing flower-beds, agrees that the delay is bad for the participant but not for public. After winning the king of the show in 1999 at the national level, he has been included in the panel of judges at the national platter, but he continues to compete at his home ground every year. “A lot goes into cultivating the flower king – chrysanthemum. We were all set to move forward. The unexpected delay could have adverse effects. Few plants may start withering by December 12, the judgement day of the show.”
However, some are more optimistic like Neeraj Pasricha from the Regional Institute of Cooperative Management. “Preparations are on in full swing. With experience and wisdom, we have mastered the art of gardening. Some beautiful flowers will be tainted but a few days change in schedule will not have much of an effect.”

BEST BUYS IN EUROPE ON CHRISTMAS

2006-02-02T02:06:00.003-08:00

In December, Christmas markets across Europe emerge in a colourful array of booths offering ornaments, unique gifts, sweets, sausages, and hot-spiced wine. Often carolers and musicians can be found milling among the crowds and adding to the holiday atmosphere. The countries of Eastern Europe join in this festive tradition, providing their own regional flavor to outdoor Christmas shopping.
Some of the most famous markets have been running since the Middle Ages, and today they can draw upwards of two million visitors during December. Their appeal is simple: stress-free shopping in a traditional, festive environment, with a few mugs of mulled wine to help you along your way.
Town Hall, Vienna The ‘Christkindlmarkt’ on the square in front of the magnificent Town Hall is Vienna's classic Christmas market. It is one of the best-known and most visited in Europe, attracting millions of visitors to its rows of wooden huts leading up to the Hall. The park surrounding the market is one of the highlights, its trees decorated with themed lights, shaped like hearts or gingerbread men.
The market itself has a central row of stalls selling handcrafted decorations and arty bits and pieces, as well as deliciously scented natural beeswax candles. The Vokshalle, within the Town Hall, is home to a daily workshop for kids, where parents can drop them off to make presents and bake Christmas cookies. Wooden figurines in NurembergNuremberg market is lavish with almost two hundred stalls crammed into the cobbled square on the slope beneath the Frauenkirche. It’s popularly called the regional centre for trading handmade wood figurines. It has a rather odd tradition: every two years a new ‘Christ child’ is appointed, a young man or woman who opens the market and rushes around town spreading Christmas cheer, dressed in elaborate gold and white and sporting a large golden crown.
Eccentric traditions aside, the market is best known for its food, which includes several stalls selling steaming Glühwein and grilled Nürnberger Bratwurst, delicious thin and spicy sausages. In the evening, the place is softly lit with hundreds of tiny lights, and bands arrive to entertain the punters – you’ll hear anything from brass bands to live jazz. Glass baubles Dresden
Dresden’s Christmas market is the oldest in Germany. One giant 3,000 kg Stollen cake is paraded around Dresden as part of the festival, presided over by a glamorous ‘Stollenmädchen’ – a ‘Miss Cake’.
The market is pretty and old fashioned, with around 250 stalls selling strictly traditional wares. It has better shopping than elsewhere though, with regional craftsmen flocking to the area to peddle their wares. Some good buys include delicate, hand-blown glass trinkets from the town of Lauscha; hand-thrown and -fired ceramics from Saxony painted in bright blue and white; and local ‘Blaudruck’ – white-and-blue printed cloth. chocolates and wine BrusselsThe Grand-Place, Brussels’ commercial hub, famous for the lavishly carved facades of its guild-houses. Strings of lights cascade down from the centre, over the little chalet-style wooden huts that cluster around the square, each representing a different European country. There are some good food stalls, though – alongside mulled wine are stands dishing out plump French olives, mountains of Belgian chocolates, steaming plates of moules or steamed snails, jars of preserved fruits and ‘speculoos’, hard gingerbread shaped like Father Christmas.
The Fish Market is transformed into a temporary ice rink in December, making it a big attraction for locals. From December 23, many of the stalls switch hands, and the market becomes more of a gastronomic affair. At Marienplatz in Munich
Focal point of Munich is Marienplatz, the heart of the old-centre, flanked by the grand neo-gothic Town Hall that’s filled with hundreds of stalls in the run-up to Christmas. Over thousands gather in the square to watch 30-metre-high Christmas tree light up. Over 140 stalls are set up in the square, selling hand-carved wooden Christmas decorations, glass baubles, jewellery, arts and crafts.
Behind the main market is the Crib Market, where traditional nativity figures from Bavaria and Austria are for sale. Every evening, Alpine choirs and brass bands perform from the Town Hall balcony, while locals stream to the food stalls for an after-work plate of hot potato cakes and a mug of Glühwein. There is a child crèche in the town hall, and the ‘Heavenly Workshop’ is a free area for children to paint, make Christmas cookies and dress up as angels.

BEST BUYS IN EUROPE ON CHRISTMAS

2006-02-02T02:06:00.002-08:00

BEST BUYS IN EUROPE ON CHRISTMAS

2006-02-02T02:06:00.001-08:00

ARUN GANDHI

2006-02-02T02:06:00.000-08:00

This dusky criss-crossed face bearing oval spectacles atop gray beard subtly radiates serenity and calmness. This septuagenarian is sure to appear familiar to every Indian. After a closer look at him, one cannot help uttering, “He reminds Bapu.” Well! No marks for that as this suited-booted gentleman, named Arun, is grandson of the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
Spending most of his childhood at Gandhi Ashram in South africa, Arun only had privilege of spending two years (1946-47) with Gandhiji, when his parents Manilal and Sushila brought him to homeland at the age of 12. Arun loves to share his fond memories of grandpa. “I lived in awe of him. People would wait for hours by roadsides for a glimpse of him, recalls Arun who loves to share my treasure of thoughts with youngsters, spreading Gandhiji’s vibrant philosophy. But he is not convinced about accepting it as a dogma. “Charkha brought a movement before independence because it supported hand-to-mouth rural India under Britishers. Now in independent India it’s obsolete,” says Arun.
The most cherished memory that he recalls is assisting Bapu in raising funds for women, childern and harijan upliftment projects by selling Mahatma Gandhi’s autograph for Rs 5 during morning assembly.
Today walking on the footsteps of Bapu by continuing with the non-violent movement wife Sunanda Gandhi and Arun travel all-round the world talking non-violence.
Presently, Arun is living in USA and is director of MK Gandhi Institute for Non-violence there. Ask him why he chose to open the institute on foreign land, and he rejoins, “As Bapu was sure India would not believe in non-violence after independence unless it comes in western packaging.”
Arun went to Mississippi University on fellowship to study racial discrimination as he himself suffered at its hand in South Africa. Discovering who he is….there people invited him for lecturing on non-violence. This ingnited the urge in this ex-journalist to set-up an institute teaching non-violence. “I had no money for the institute. To raise funds I parted with Bapus letters written to my parents. I asked the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to buy it but he replied: Not interested in your project,” regrets says Arun who sold the treasure offshore.
Arun who feels India has emerged as economic power but lacks when it comes to economic and political equality, many-a-times wanted to come in forefront in politics but Mahatma Ganmdhi’s request to abstain from politically exploiting his name, held him back.
Though Arun feels a great responsibility as a Gandhi descendent, yet is no longer at comfort mother tongue while delivering a speech. This proud and humble Gandhi, as he liberally addresses himself says he has got these traits as legacy from Bapu. Arun believes passive violence is more dangerous than active physical violence.

BOX
On Thursday, he was in Chandigarh to participate in the ongoing ‘Peace-City Chandigarh’ campaign at Dev Samaj College of Education, Sector 36. He awarded Dr KBS Dhillon Memorial Shantidoot Puraskar to principal Karan Singh Jaglan of GMSSS Sector-33 here, for spreading Gandhian values along with five other educationist practicing virtues of peace and non-violence. They were: Dr ML Gupta of Punjab engineering College, prof Ashok Kumar of DAV College, Dr Jyoti Khanna of ev Samaj College of Education, Amarjit Singh of GMSSS, Sector 19 and Arvinder kaur of St. Soldiers International School.

ARTIST SECTION

2006-02-02T02:04:00.001-08:00

His greatest fantasy is to sculpt a mountain rock in Himalayas as Stone Age inspires him. Don’t be astonished, he is not a tribal or caveman. Living in sci-fi era, artist Narinder Thakur says that Gen Y hanging round in rugged jeans, guys decked up with jazzy ornaments and gals getting body pierced all over, it’s revival of the long gone cultural era. “Isn’t it more of Harppan tribal trend that we are following?” inquires the artist. And, that’s what he tries to depict clannish ethnicity in his masterpieces. “Nature attracts us to come back to it.”
This artist has made massive contribution in giving a facelift to city beautiful. To remind you about his ingenious masterpieces, lets start from murals on display around the city: Baithak in Kalgram, Chef 43 and Lakeview.
What starts as clean steady line emerges as magnum opus with a dash of colours added to it. After sketching on paper, Narinder freezes his ideas into life size sculptors, either in moulds of clay or wrought iron. He has even painted walls and larger than life murals.
Narinder has been broadly inspired by Picaso. Most of his sculptors depicts subtle beauty concealed in human anatomy. Talking about naked characters created by Narinder, he says, “My characters enjoy freedom. They are always in open.”

II.
Devender Singh, popularly known as ‘the man with golden brush’, defines painting as the poetry of colours. This versatile artist carried affluent Punjabi cultural beyond the realms of Punjab and has won applauds of the international patrons of art.
A sparkling replica of Harmandar Sahib in gold and silver, his marvellous creation, has been put on display at the renowned Smithsonian Museum in Washington, and now he is about to accomplish crafting the second model.
Besides, his numerous well-crafted paintings depicting mundane jobs of rural Punjab, mythology, modern and abstract art and episodes from Sikh history have found place in museums of Singapore, UK and US. “I have painted 20 ft x 40 ft life size paintings for Singapore museum,” Devender says.
Natural lexis can be seen all over his picturesque pastel collection. “I love to brush a blend of abstract and realistic impression. Nature inspires me to trace the genuine splendour. I explored the interiors of Punjab to convey the factual expression in oil. Punjabi mutiras (young women) spinning charkha, roaming and winnowing the fields motivated me to map out the unique beauty,” says Devender.
With the elements in sober pastels his golden brush has also silhouetted women. He adds, “I was always determined to survive on my hobby-turned profession. It’s strange that during my days of struggle I had to slough to fetch work. Now when I am satisfied with the little I do, people chase me to take on assignments.” Work never eluded Devender ever since his first collection of paintings on Sikh women was bought by a nationalized bank for their calendar in 1972. He received his formal education at Bombay, Amritsar, Ludhiana & Chandigarh but was initiated into the world of art by his accomplished father. “I inherited the aesthetic artistic ability from my father, Sewak Singh, who was a commercial painter at Bombay,” says Devender Singh
Presently, he is working on two contrasting series: ‘ancient era’ and ‘mankind 20 years hence.’ The crux of his research is: “With increasing fondness for murals and splash of greenery at every nook and corner of sky-high buildings, the cemented world is turning back to stoned era.”
This man boasts of free flowing lines that liberally meet to emerge as faces. What’s peculiar about them is that each face wears a plastic smile, hiding grim emotions expressed in eyes.
Thakur titters, “I use natural flavour in my artwork.” This artist with electrifying imaginative thoughts, is born and brought up in Chandigarh. Though he inherited inventive mindset from his father Laxman Das, he believes it’s all in air. He says, “Le Corbusier has gifted the city with perfect surroundings to dwell an arty mindset.”
His greatest fantasy is to sculpt a mountain rock in Himalayas as Stone Age inspires him. Don’t be astonished, he is not a tribal or caveman. Living in sci-fi era, artist Narinder Thakur says that Gen Y hanging round in rugged jeans, guys decked up with jazzy ornaments and gals getting body pierced all over, it’s revival of the long gone cultural era. “Isn’t it more of Harppan tribal trend that we are following?” inquires the artist. And, that’s what he tries to depict clannish ethnicity in his masterpieces. “Nature attracts us to come back to it.”
This artist has made massive contribution in giving a facelift to city beautiful. To remind you about his ingenious masterpieces, lets start from murals on display around the city: Baithak in Kalgram, Chef 43 and Lakeview.
What starts as clean steady line emerges as magnum opus with a dash of colours added to it. After sketching on paper, Narinder freezes his ideas into life size sculptors, either in moulds of clay or wrought iron. He has even painted walls and larger than life murals.
Narinder has been broadly inspired by Picaso. Most of his sculptors depicts subtle beauty concealed in human anatomy. Talking about naked characters created by Narinder, he says, “My characters enjoy freedom. They are always in open.”
Presently, he is working on two contrasting series: ‘ancient era’ and ‘mankind 20 years hence.’ The crux of his research is: “With increasing fondness for murals and splash of greenery at every nook and corner of sky-high buildings, the cemented world is turning back to stoned era.”
This man boasts of free flowing lines that liberally meet to emerge as faces. What’s peculiar about them is that each face wears a plastic smile, hiding grim emotions expressed in eyes.
Thakur titters, “I use natural flavour in my artwork.” This artist with electrifying imaginative thoughts, is born and brought up in Chandigarh. Though he inherited inventive mindset from his father Laxman Das, he believes it’s all in air. He says, “Le Corbusier has gifted the city with perfect surroundings to dwell an arty mindset.”

ARTIST SECTION

2006-02-02T02:04:00.000-08:00

AIR HOSTESS

2006-02-02T02:03:00.001-08:00

Young city denizens seem to be penchant about the aviation industry. Nattily draped in western formals – tidy shirts with skirts/formal trousers and a scarf around collar - gals and gals are eagerly attending training session on personality development, grooming, English speaking, swimming, aviation and foreign language at the airhostess / steward training academies.
One of the aviation academy students, Neha Juneja, 17, said, “I am keen on being placed with an international airlines. I didn’t want to waste six-seven years on formal education. So, after higher secondary, I decided to join the training academy.”
Kamal Saini, the centre head of an airhostess training institute, said, “Good salary and glamour is what everyone longs and both these are attached to the aviation industry. We coach them in grooming sense and professional language to beat high-competitive rounds of interviews. Expertise counselling is a regular feature.” These academies also provide on-flight training to all aspiring students.
Manbir KaurVirk, a student preparing to join the industry, said, “I have gained tremendous confidence after jining the training academy. Public speaking is no more a challenge now.”
After the privatisation of lucrative aviation industry and relaxation in the retirement age have added to the craze. Branch Manager of another city-based airhostess training academy Mithlesh Singh said, “Surprisingly, the response from Chandigarh that’s famous for its psuedo-liberal mindset is not as great as Punjab and Himachal. From remote areas as Sirhind people are sending their daughters for training after higher secondary. Chandigarhians believe graduation is a must.” He adds, “It’s a remarkable change. We all read about a divorce case everyday. Probably, now people want daughters to make a career and be prepared to boldly face life through thick and thin.”
Somehow, aviation service industry is still considered to be a career for girl. The ratio of girls to boys joining the institute shows a major difference. Even these academies prefer calling them as the airhostess academies, though almost every commercial flight has stewards to attend to passengers. V

SPEED DATING

2006-02-02T02:03:00.000-08:00

Fast track hip-hop generation loves to live in virtual reality. Shopping online, e-bookings and now even cupid online… Yupp! Speed dating has taken bachelors and spinsters ablaze.
Today’s young techies stuck with paucity of time prefer meeting eligible singles online. So, even if they appear to be too busy for bird watching, don’t think they are missing on romance. Who knows, while surfing they might be fixing a date online without wasting any time to confess the heart felt feelings.
It’s the latest fad to catch on offering an exciting and quick opportunity to meet singles in a non-pressured way. All it needs is sign in your details at one of the online speed dating sites. And, they will fix it all for you. Three minutes is all that it takes to discover someone not your type or a sweet heart.”The whole concept of going for pre-dates in a cool ambience seems exciting. Who knows you may land meeting your Miss Right,” chortles Rahul Arora, a city-based college student, who met his love interest Ria via speed dating.
He adds, “Three minutes to meet one person, ten people in 30 minutes, twenty if you do it twice a week and forty in a month. That is a lot of ‘new’ people to meet for any single person! Especially if you are checking out each of these 40 people you meet as the prospective love of your life, or for ‘friendship,” this statistics student adds. For every romantic meet, participants are asked to pen each experience. Within 48 hours the organizers let participants know which matches have been made, and give exchange contacts. Incase you don't meet someone special in the first time around, don’t be disheartened. the organiser has number of events lined up. Better luck next time!
Just substantiate your intuitive hunch. Sneha Sharma, a call centre employee quips, “Even in day-to-day life crushes we go by instinct. The same can be applied here.
On the D-day, after a few minutes interaction, if you hear lub-dud sound, stay on… Or else to move on to the next date.”

ADULT EDUCATION

2006-02-02T02:02:00.000-08:00

What if instead of carrying heavy snap-knacks to school if students have to carry playing cards? I am not kidding. Play-way methods work better than mundane educational tools. They seem to be more welcoming even at the age of 30. Such educational tools not only work for kids but for adults too, proved two Germans Kim and Marga.
To fight the grave problem of illiteracy in India our these two friends have come up with an innovative idea of using a specially designed deck of playing cards with objectives of making illiterate slum women literate and self-reliant. This exciting method emerged as a primary tool to teach illiterate women under an adult literacy project at Colony no. 5 at a mutually agreed and fixed time convenient for learner.
Joginder Kaur, Supervisor of the ‘PLAY-LEARN & EDUCATE Adult literacy PROJECT’ says, “This programme is supported from Germany by Kim (Kumad) Jit Singh and Marga Buhrmann Singh both co-founders of Buhrmann Singh Creative Learning, Germany, and volunteers of a Chandigarh based non-government organisation.”
Interestingly, teachers addressed as coaches are themselves school going girl students. They are generally drop-outs of class VIIIth and Xth living in the neighbourhood. So, the students don’t have any jilts of going to school or getting caught by teacher as they rather relate to learners with a greater ease.
Keeping in mind the availability and convenience of the learner, each pays visit thrice a week in order to make them read Hindi language through the play-way method designed by Kim & Marga. Joginder says, “Every coach teaches 5 adults. Pesently 11 such girl coaches are working for the programme. Instead of the learners having to come to a classroom, their trained “teachers” go to them, to “teach” 121 (one to one).” Elaborating on the initiative co-ordinator Pramod Sharma says: “Old methods of promoting adult education have not shown as great results as this. It entices illiterate females and males to attend a school..” Sharing concern over illiteracy in rural, suburban and urban slums are not able to read and write in their own mother tongue Dr. Satinder Dhillon, principal Dev Samaj College, Sector 36 says, “The traditional educationists should ask themselves what might have gone wrong that despite numerous efforts put into eradication of illiteracy, almost a third of the population remains at the level of having to render “thumb signatures.”

PRIVATE DETECTIVES

2006-02-02T01:58:00.000-08:00

Bond, just keep an eye…
Here is a 007 proposition to keep marital Bonds alive and firing. A city-based private eye agency is peddling the promise of vetting prospective bahus and damads before the knots are tied. The question is: will the saas buy the promise?
Major AS Lally, detective-in-chief of a detective agency, advises, “Apprehensive parents of eligible bachelors must get the anticipatory investigations done to be on the safer side. Most of the weddings performed after seeking pre-matrimonial investigations proved blissful.”
Paramjit Kaur (name changed), a mother seeking pre-matrimonial investigations for her daughter says, “Small post-marital tiffs can often lead to divorce. If pre-marital investigations help in averting them, I feel it’s a cheap bargain.”
IS Jangwal, a private detective, says, “We contact our probable clientele via SMS, e–mails or phone. We have our sound database that is being regularly updated.” However, he refused to disclose the source of the database.
But Pardeep Sharma, a private detective advises, “Don’t just rely on the agents who send SMS or e-mails. Before handing over a case, check the integrity of the agency. (You can probably hire another agent for this!) Many a times, the agents may demand money under the table as a cost of faithfulness.”
Even insecure and suspicious housewives hire private eye for spying. He narrates, “Recently we have solved a case where a housewife was suspicious of her husband, an insurance manager. After spying for a week, we found that her husband used to seek undue financial and physical pleasures through the company surveyors. We got everything recorded on camera and caught him red-handed. The insurance company suspended him and his wife divorced him.”
Pardeep says, “In a month we handle around 20 cases and majority of it involve couple in the age bracket of 30 to 40 years, seeking divorce.”
These local Sherlock Holmes charge according to facts and figures desired by a client and the time involved in a case. If a case involves local investigations, the fee comes to around Rs 10,000.

Investing in commodity trading

2005-08-21T05:59:00.000-07:00

Bhupinder Kohli
If someone prudently advices you to invest in pepper, cotton, dry mango, metals or bullion in one breath, you may laugh it off. But with the multi-commodity market witnessing a boom, it deserves a sincere thought. Though the virtual multi-commodity market is larger than the physical one, it widely accepted as an option for price risk management. “By investing just five per cent of the deal, you can strike a contract,” says Gulmohar Singh, who invests in the commodity trading. You can generally book forward for a period of one month to four months, whenever the market is in your favour just get the best bargain. “It’s beneficial for all segments of players ranging from producers, traders and processors to exporters/importers and end-users of a commodity.”On the account of large-scale participations of entities associated with different value chains, future trading in commodities results in transparent and fair price discovery. “Most of the investors are interested in speculation with the shield of hedging. One marks a certain price beyond which he will not keep his share of commodity. Due to the price risk management, it’s a safer investment option than share market,” says V Kumar, a city based member of MCX, Sector 17. “In past two years the market has grown to national 7,000 crore per day. Internationally, the commodity trading enjoys 20,000 crore world over, that is four times than the stock market,“ he adds.. An informed investor is always at a gain. So, keeping a keep a watch at the market fluctuations and factors affecting them is always an added advantage. In Punjab and Haryana, besides, gold and silver, the investors are pretty interested in agro products. And even steel is in demand due to proximity to the physical market that exist in Mandi Gobindgarh. “With the monsoon showers arriving in the end of June, the big farmers have already booked their stock for coming four months here,” Kumar adds.Most of the investor would speculate, and buy or sell without physical transaction being made. However, there is always a provision for delivery in commodity futures trading to ensure that the future prices are in conformity with the underlying. The option for delivery is normally with the seller; the buyer/seller has to express his intention for delivery about five to seven days before the expiry.The Forward Market Commission (FMC) regulates commodity futures/forward trade in India. The commission was set up under the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act of 1952. The FMC is headquartered in Mumbai while its regional office is located in Kolkata. Most of the physical markets exist in Mumbai and Delhi while certain specific markets do exist at other places also like at Hapur for mustard, rubber at Kochi and Kotium.The national level multi-commodity exchanges are: National Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd, Ahmedabad (NMCE)-- Indore (N-BOT)--www.nbotind.org.. National Commodity and Derivative Exchange, Mumbai (NCDEX)-- Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd, Mumbai (MCX)--www.mcxindia.com. Following commodities in various categories are expected to be available for trading through both the exchanges • Bullion: gold and silver Oil and oil seed: castor, soya, rape/mustard oil, crude palm oil, RBD palmolein • Grains and pulses: wheat and rice • Soft commodities: cotton, sugar, coffee • Spices and plantation: pepper and rubber Other commodities like aluminum, tea, groundnut, copra, gur (jagery)

Build your dream house

2005-08-20T06:33:00.002-07:00

Your monthly rent can build you your dream home. All you need is a home loan !Home Loan ! A dream of owning a house can be easily realised as financial institutions are offering a range of home loan services at doorstep. “As home for each one has been shifted to the priority sector. For housing financial institutions, the customer remains the king. Reasonable rate of interest along with good customer services is a customer’s prerogative. Moreover, income rebate on the amount of interest you pay is another advantage that may even reduce your tax slab.”To turn your castle in air in to a reality you need to be smart enough to strike a wise deal by carefully analysing certain parameters that a financial institution has to offer. It is certainly difficult to get the best in each of the following parameters and therefore some sort of compromise will need to be done on the basis of your priorities...
Our comparator will demystify home loan schemes offered by few financial institutions, explaining and simplifying the procedures and the necessary paperwork as we go along, so that you can make an informed choice about which home loan is best suited for you. Foreclosure chargesYou must always compare the effective interest rate after taking into account all upfront fees and the manner of interest calculation. i.e. daily, monthly or annual reducing. “Even if two financial institutions offer same rate of interest, the one with the daily reducing interest calculation will be a better option,” informs O B Sharma, a city based bank employee. Pre-Payment Charges - certain housing financial institutions charge prepayment charges when you decide to prepay your loan either in part or in full.Processing Fees - You will need to pay the processing fee at the time of submission of application. Administrative Fees on the loan amount approved is charged. This varies from one HFI to another.Credit Documents that HFIs insist before approving your loan would differ from one HFI to another. Max age of property at the time of application - If you are buying a property on resale, this parameter would be an important one as HFIs may have a limit on the age of the property at the time of disbursing the loan.Some HFIs charge certain prepayment charges when you decide to prepay your loan either in part or in full.
Foreclosure charges Rate of Interest EMI Service at your doorstep Simple documentation and speedy processing No charges on partial prepayments No guarantors required

Speed dating ading romance in dull dinjins' life

2005-08-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

Bhupinder Kohli
Born in the fast track commercial era, Gen Y, due to paucity of time is smart enough to pursue every event in a planned fashion to save on time. This hip hop generation doesn’t believe in waiting for the cupid to strike, rather experiencing the most beautiful emotion for someone special, confessing heart felt feelings, and even fixing a date just happens in a few minutes. As the world's most stylish lifestyle service of speed dating for singles is here to take every eligible bachelor and spinster ablaze, it’s the latest fad to catch on offering an exciting and quick opportunity to meet singles in a non-pressured way. “Three minutes is all it takes to discover if you've found true love - or someone truly awful,” is what one of the proponents of speed dating has to say. You just need to sign in your details at one of the online speed dating sites. “The whole concept of going for pre-dates, in a cool ambience, is exciting enough, and who knows you may land meeting your Miss Right,” chortles Rahul, a college student. “Three minutes to meet one person, ten people in 30 minutes, twenty if you do it twice a week and forty in a month. That is a lot of ‘new’ people to meet for any single person! Especially if you are checking out each of these 40 people you meet as the prospective love of your life, or for ‘friendship,” this statistics student adds. Sneha Sharma, a call centre employee believes that even in day-to-day life crushes we go by instinct. The same can be applied here. Just substantiate your intuitive hunch.On the D-day, after a few minutes interaction with one interest, the ding dong bell rings, and it’s time to move on to the next date. Participants are asked to write on a form if they would be interested in seeing the person again. A number of mini-dates are followed by some more time to hunt your beloved in the chill out 15-20-minute break-time. Besides enjoying appetizers, you can meet many lonely souls that you've had eyed on but might not meet have met them due to numerous attendees. Well! Don’t forget to write down the names of the people you meet during intermission on your score card. The organizers let participants know within 48 hours which matches have been made, and give each side the other's email address, or email address and phone numberYes, if you don't meet someone special in the first time around, the organiser has number of events lined up, attracting around 50-90 per cent new faces each time. Some companies are nice enough to keep track of the database, in order to prevent you from signing up for a party where there are a high number of attendees that you have met previously. So, better luck next time.

Did you suffer love at first sight

2005-08-20T06:25:00.000-07:00

Bhupinder Kohli
Numerous hearts have claimed that the cupid stuck them just as they exchanged looks, something clicked and love flashed in the air. “At a glance of Pinky I disclosed aloud to myself – she’s the one I had been waiting for!” discloses Rajat Chopra, 24. “Yeah! It’s the love at first sight,” he titters.Love at first sight depends on our psychological state at the moment. Many a times we won’t even notice those fascinating eyes, but at some moment they’ll mean the world to us. “I think the 30 seconds theory of falling in love or precisely speaking to estimate whether the person is worth to fall in love with happened with us,” Pinky, 23, adds. Experts say that our ideals, intuition, fast logic, instinct and imagination all play their role in laying the trap of the love at first sight. When you fall in love, you are usually ready and willing to experience the rib-tickling emotion. Of course! the appearance, voice, gestures and odour of the dream-flower gal/guy act as the deciding factors. By the way some theories say that we fall in love not from the first sight but from the first smell. Scientist claim that we pay much attention to what our eyes and ears tell us but on the subconscious level the way the person smells play a very big part in his or her expression on us although we don’t recognize it.If you suddenly fall in love with quiet unknown person and can feel the same fire on the other side, then the mother-nature has chosen a partner for you. In this case, it is like “Aha, match!” But when someone happens to fill up all the necessary categories like tall, blond, blue-eyed, looks good, has a style and mannerism, check it out first, as beauty is used to grabbing attention, and is rather used to it. So, your delightful reaction may simply bear no reciprocation.Still there are many cases, when people really had fallen in love from the first sight and lived long and happily after that is rather it. You may dream of a beautiful stranger that waits for you just around the corner but it’s wrong to name every slight sympathy and interest to a person the love at first sight. Maybe you’re just a little tired of everything that surrounds you or trying to fill the emptiness inside, yet it doesn’t mean everyone who looks nice would do. Sometimes it takes patience and time to find out the true nature of your feelings, mind that wonders do happen but not as often as we would like them too. If you suddenly have felt the wings behind you back still try to keep your feet on the ground because if it’s really love at first sight nothing will happen to it but if you’re taking illusions for reality falling back on the ground can be really hurtful.

Modular kitchens

2005-08-20T06:19:00.000-07:00

Bhupinder Kohli
Pampering the lady of the house with off the rack kitchens, is in vogue. Be it hot air blowing outside or a cool breeze, every women is much bothered about perspiring in the kitchen. “Whenever I get take a project in hand, the first and the foremost thing is to spend some time with my client at their present residence, especially, when they are busy cooking. This helps me understands their lifestyle,” explains Jatinder Kaur, an interior decorator. Replacing kadais with microwave, conventional chimney with electric ones and mixers with food processors; the scrupulously designed techno savvy modular kitchens have become a way of life. Years ago, every Indian home had a grinding stone. Now food processors and blenders can take their place in modern kitchens. Bake the potatoes, toast the bread and grill a sandwich — the microwave or oven, griller and toaster (OTG) are there to save in your time and serve you with well nourished food.Pre-fabricated in a varied range of materials, colours and finishes graciously fit the bill of fare to suit the modern kitchen. From the refrigerator, microwave to television, everything can be incorporated in a modular open kitchen. Shruti Verma, a city-based housewife says, “As contemporary open kitchens are in vogue, we have merged our lobby area with the kitchen. With the convenience and comfort of ready modules, one delights in cooking and maintains a consistency in décor that defines the personal statement of style. The electric chimney is powerful enough to blow out the smoke and manitain the room temperature.” The modular kitchen has placed the modern housewife and working woman on the threshold of hand convenience where all one needs to do is order for one and before you blink your eye the ready kitchen is fitted into your house. “The ready to install cabinets and even racks, to hide all your utensils and cutlery, have made the fitting of the kitchen easy,” Jatinder titters. Besides, the standardized units for floor and walls, deep units to accommodate electrical appliances and gas trolleys, and a range of accessories in the form of wire baskets, carousels, adjustable shelves and pull-out units are required. Whatever maybe the size and shape of your kitchen, adorn your main rock shelf with granite and marble. Wooden or fabricated plastic in dark colours with lamination for the cabinets and shutters ensure a long companionship.Advantages of a modular kitchen are• Optimum utilization of space• Adds to the elegance of decor. • More convenient for fast-track lifestyle, working women and bachelors. • Kitchen work/equipment/utensils get proper definition, role and place to function. • A modular kitchen takes care of things like exhaust hoods/chimneys which otherwise is ignored. • Replacement/repairs are easy.

cushions

2005-07-17T13:27:00.000-07:00

Squashy Cushions
Creativity follows no pattern- is the mantra when it comes to designing squashy furnishings, especially cushions. Comfy stuffings in exquisite patterns are everyone’s delight. So if you are just starting with furnishings, cushions are a great way to begin.
Flashy silken to simple cotton cushions are available in endless shapes in varied sizes available to adorn your room.
You can also mix and match them with fabric of your sofa, as nowadays leather and suede cushions are in trend. Plain cushions can be trimmed with a contrasting border, decorative braid or patterned piping. Tassels and fringing, embroidered panels, appliqué designs and quilting can all be used to give an impressive boost to a plain cushion.
Checks pattern in simple cotton is the best rough and tough option, as simpler the prettier. But don’t forget that these checks and stripes must be centralised for good effect.
“Creativity is the best guide, when it comes to furnishings,” believes Varinderjeet Kaur, interior decorator, “small cushions in geometrical shapes, looks great piled when piled in a set of four, on sofas. Bolster round or flowing cushions, supporting the back of divan or futon, are back in trend.”
She suggests, “Decorative cushions can be made of lighter, more delicate fabrics, such as silks or muslin. Even Zari cushions in self pattern look grand with high sofa back. You can also use plain covers without stuffings on the arms of the sofa to add elegance to it. Beige, golden or grey tassels can spring them up. This summer appliqué work and Lucknawi embroidery on light base as white or light pink are also in great vogue.”
For your bed cushions, just mix-n-match the cushion-covers with your pillow covers or bedspreads, in square or rectangular shapes. You may pile them in set of 5 or 4. For you kids room, Donald and tweety’s are here to stay.
Actually, the most exciting decorative technique would be to facilitate yourself by adapting the designs according to your décor. The usage cushion may affect not only the design, but also the type of fabric and padding used. As to see your beautifully finished cushion covered in grubby finger marks or juice stains can be heart breaking! Machine washable robust fabrics are a must with small children. Especially, If they will get lots of abuse from the children.” she adds, “Besides, a cushion pad with a synthetic filling rather than a more expensive, soft feather cushion pad.”
Vinyl foam padded cushions are readily available in marketing.The Cotton stuffings have also been largely replaced with polyfil cotton. The range starts from Rs 100 per piece onwards. Making an advanced cushion means investing a lot of your own valuable time in something that will give you pleasure to look at and to use.
Choosing a fabric you like is important, but stop a moment and consider the following questions.
Is the colour and pattern right both for the setting and the size and style of cushion?
Is the weight and texture right for the job the cushion is intended for?
Will the fabric wear well and either wash or dry clean satisfactorily?
If you are seaming different fabrics together, will they all react and wear in the same way?
Is the cushion intended to be functional or for purely decorative purposes?
Make sure you buy the right filling to ensure your cushion has a long life-span.
Foam for seating pads – available in different weights and densities.
Polyester and stockinet for exterior wrappings – these make trying to insert a box pad into a cover much easier.
Feather and fibre – great for upholstery jobs.

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Class glass

2005-07-17T13:11:00.000-07:00

Tainted beauty
‘Gilded figures of guardians holding clubs at the front door’ – no, it’s not a medieval courtroom entrance, rather a stained glass door pattern of Sethi’s villa. Just look around to notice the revival of interest in stained glass. Windows, doors, lamp shades, walls and even ceilings are today embellished with strident colours in stained glass."Sun catchers" in a myriad of designs on glass are hot these days. “What earlier used to adorn the chapels, has found it’s way to the home décor. You can lend from ancient, royal to rustic theme to your interiors with much ease via this fine art,” says Jolly, an interior designer.If you find plain or plaster of paris on ceiling outmoded? Get a geometrical pattern painted in pastel colours on tainted, yet exquisite, glass. “I have painted a life size mermaid to adorn the walls of the bathroom for one of my clients, who was not willing to use mundane tiles,” says Jolly.In the kids’ room, Noddy, Pooh, Micky and Donald paintings on the walls, and stars embossed on the ceiling, will add live to it.The art is not restricted to the four walls and ceiling; it can beautify the centre tables, dinning tables and peg tables. “My centre table with a ceramic pot-base and painted glass top in grapevine motif offered the perfect artistic look to balance the chic low height sofas and chaise lounge,” believes Radhika, a fashion designer. For furniture try sticking to the geometric patterns. Use delicate and light patterns for the windowpanes to permit natural light to bathe the house. Let geometrical designs or scenic paintings cover the full-length glass doors. “From the entrance, living room, dinning table to bathroom, we have incorporated the theme,” Radhika adds.Though traditionally, stained glass has used the leading technique - the process of interlocking and assembling pieces of glass together using lead, with easy-to-use glass paint tubes readily available, you can take pleasure in painting it yourself. Your kiddos can also show their creativity. Even interior decorators and experts of the art, can create a colourful delight for you. “We get durable colours, especially from Mumbai, to offer quality service,” reveals Jolly. As this ancient art of coloured glass has come a long way, it is here to stay.

Go Austria!

2005-07-17T12:17:00.000-07:00

Chalo Austria
Majestic mountains, lakes, dense forests and green valleys make Austria a perfect spot to hang around

Scenic wonderland of Austria, a small country in central Europe, is a characterised by majestic mountains, crystal-clear lakes, rivers, dense forests and green valleys. Outdoor activities like skiing, hiking and mountain climbing make it a favorite destination for many tourists, besides, the country’s rich cultural history, especially in music -- home to Mozart, Strauss and Beethoven.
Come, lets move around this amazingly beautiful land of Alps…

Day 1Land at Vienna, Austria's capital, situated in the northeast lowlands with the Danube River, built in concentric circles. Get fresh, and enjoy a city tour to the monumental buildings of the famous Ringstrasse, Four Danubes, Hundertwasser Haus, and the magnificent Baroque and Art Nouveau treasures of old Imperial Vienna. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore this intriguing city, where noble palaces, broad avenues, lovely parks, magnificent architecture and some of Europe's finest museums await discovery.

Day 2
A Viennese guide takes you on a walking tour of Vienna, exploring the heart of the city. Walk through the grounds of the Hofburg, Imperial Residence of Habsburgs; visit the extraordinary Kunsthistorisches (Museum of Fine Arts), displaying the treasure of European art.

Day 3
Standing like sentinels in the sky, the sheer rock walls of Austrian Alps are distinctive landmarks that can be seen for miles. If dedicated to viewing spectacular scenery, travel along the "Yellow Roads" through small villages to the ancient roman city of Lienz, in Austria's alpine mountains. Linz, in upper Austria, main claim to fame is that it is the home of the delicious Linzer Torte. Long vital for its strategic location on the Danube it is also known for its Patrician houses and Baroque architecture that line the largest medieval square in Europe.

Day 4 The Grossglockner is considered the highest peak in Austria, and your travels on the Grossglockner-Hochalpenstrasse take you on one of the most famous roads in Europe. As you ascend from the valley floor, pastoral scenes surround you – weathered wooden barns and picture-perfect chalets with colorful flower boxes all in an alpine setting of green meadows cut by silver streams. The greenery gives way to granite walls with the peaks of majestic mountains soaring above.

Day 5
Salzburg is a picturesque city that nestles between the Salzach river and the towering Hohensalzburg Fortress. Its skyline is a symphony of Baroque church towers, cupolas and steeples. Your walking tour with a local guide includes a visit to the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg's most famous son. Attend an evening of classical music, where you will enjoy a taste of Mozart's legacy as celebrated by music festivals.

Day 6
Take to the air for reaching back home.

Gen Gap

2005-07-17T12:16:00.000-07:00

These are all published articles.

Bhupinder Kohli

Parents today are more youthful in appearance and attitudes. “It's okay, dear!" is in fact heard far more frequently in today’s nuclear families rather than yesterdays operative words like ‘duty’ and ‘responsibility.’
Gen-X dads’ don’t mind Gen-Y experimenting cool trends; from blue jeans, blow-dry's, clothes to hairstyles. Everything is casual like the mindsets, helping to bridge the sartorial child-parent divide.
“Because of my own rebellion in teens, and the way I grew out of it, I can better accept my son's desire for independence, his craziness, and sometimes even his rebellion," says Rajiv Sharma, 39, a businessman. "I would dread to face my father when scored less, but when this year my son didn't perform well in exam, I rather boosted his moral," says Sharma.
On the very mention of a much debatable topic - generation gap, Sahiba Kumar, 21 and her mother, Param, initiate a discussion on love marriages. Param says, "We dare not watch a movie TV with dad, forget talking about ‘love-marriage,’ that are quite acceptable now.”
Dimple rejoins, "Probably that's why your generation lovers chose to be Devdas." Well! This narrowing of generation-gap has resulted in rewarding closeness among family members.
"No wonder greeting cards today carry the message--To my mother, my best friend," Dimple chortles. None can deny that candidness nurtures a stronger bond of love.
Certainly, there has been reduction in the friction between young and old that is far more than the wildness of youth. Raman, 16, a college student opines, “Well, the gen-gap has not vanished but it is shrinking. Now-a-days parents are pretty understanding. Kids are also frank, rather afraid of parents. Believe me, whenever I sense something is wrong in life, be it studies or friendship, I share it with my dad. He would always say -- come, let us figure it out."
Still when enquired if Raman will try to be more liberal with his broods, he makes as big nod. Thus, even after shopping to sports turning into an easy camaraderie between parent-child, the inexorable 'generation gap' enjoys its existence, continuing down from cavemen.
Somehow, a few grannies and grandpa’s quote this liberal attitude as negligence and lack of time to fulfill the responsibility also. An old grandma of 61-year of age, Kanta Devi quotes, "Working couples are less eager to spend time disciplining the kids. Besides, time-short parents also encourage children's independence, making them more responsible at least for their follies. Being guilt of pre-occupied, they compensate with money and liberties," adds Kanta.
Experts opine that probably the democratic approach is very healthy but it shouldn’t swing a bit too far, promoting lack of rules and discipline. Problems also arise when it promotes overindulgence, in an effort to avoid a strained relationship few parents forget to teach moderation and the limits of life to kids.

2005-07-17T12:14:00.000-07:00