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Her share of the Lohri Was he a highway robber or a king of a Rajput tribe Pindi Bhattiyan, during the reign of Akbar who was done to death for opposing the Mughal dynasty, we don’t know but we sure know he had a big heart filled with compassion. To celebrate life, born out of love, new-age parents are ready to go all out and celebrate the lohri of their daughters with the right joie d’ vivre. Several NGOs and educational institutions are also signaling in a wind of change by celebrating Lohri for girls. It may not be enough but it sure is asign of things to come. Welcome baby girl Celebrating Lohri is nothing new for Prabhjeet Singh, a journalist, as his mother celebrated the first Lohri of his sister in 1971 and now it’s time for the family and friends to get together to celebrate the birth of his daughter last month. “It’s the same for me and I don’t think that I am doing anything extraordinary or out of the way as it’s the same for me the way I celebrated my son’s Lohri its time to rejoice over birth of my younger child,” says Prabhjeet. “It’s all about realising it internally. If someone celebrates Lohri for the daughter but demands dowry for his son later, the whole thing has no meaning,” says Prabhjeet. “Why question celebrating first Lohri as what is good for my son cannot be bad for my daughter,” says Prabhjeet. “It is not enough to celebrate Lohri but the world Fond memories Ask Harmeet Kaur and she can’t stop gushing over the memories of celebrating the Lohri of her two daughters, Nanki and Tripti. “The celebration of my first daughter Nanki Singh, 17, a national-level shooter on Lohri was in our big house in Jalandhar and for my younger daughter, Tripti, the merrymaking grew even bigger,” says Harmeet. “We put up a tent in our back lawn alongside the Lohri bon fire for Tripti where we enjoyed togetherness not only on Lohri but throughout that winter,” she says. Friends and family joined in over the beat of the dholak and traditional singing, dancing and not to forget over indulgence in eating, laughs Harmeet. As the photos remind of the joy she knows somewhere down the line her daughters will realise more and more how their parents adore them. Dear daughter For artist couple painter Jyotika teaching at Delhi College of Art and her writer husband Rajvinder, Lohri is the occasion to celebrate the completeness of their lives after their daughter Nuria was born a year back in Berlin, Germany. Home now for her first Lohri here the celebrations are in line for the big day at their Mohali residence. “It is the Lohri bonfire accompanied by dinner and not to miss drinks and more of an adult affair but all in the joy of having Nuria in our lives,” says Jyotika. “It’s our way to celebrate and welcome her in our lives,” says Rajvinder. Dream comes true There is a special celebration in the house of Olympian ace athlete Manjeet Kaur who is celebrating Lohri after a gap of six years at home in PAP Jalandhar. After the silver in 400 meters individual event and a gold in 4 by 400 meters relay her father is overjoyed at his daughter fourth in five sisters and youngest son will be together to celebrate Lohri. “Though my father put in everything to help me be what I am today and when I go out there and run it’s the same for me or a male athlete because we are running for our country,” says Manjeet. This from our golden girl who ran tearing her blisters after hot soup fell on her laps two days before the big run in Doha, refusing to rest and won a silver and a gold even as her legs bled. Had her father thought of girls like the others we wouldn’t have had Manjeet saving the day for India in Doha.
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Our love for celebrations takes us over once more, on the festival of Lohri in the North, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, Makar Sankranti in UP, Bihar and Bengal, Magha Bihu in Assam, Tai Pongal in Kerala, all on the auspicious day of Makar Sankranti, marking the end of the coldest month of the year, Paush and announcing the beginning of the month of Magh. As the sun begins moving north, the festival celebrates fertility, as the Mother Earth promises a golden harvest for the farmers, and we worship fire as a symbol of the Sun God. This is also the time when we celebrate all that is bright in our lives and the being the festival to mark fertility the first Lohri of newly wed or birth of a child, …correction…birth of a male child assumes greatest importance. Manmohan Sharma, executive director of a Voluntary Health Organisation, working for the girl child is taking the celebrations to far off villages and holding a series of functions to celebrate first Lohri of the girls born in the past one year. “We are holding Lohri functions in villages in Punjab, Kurukshetra and Ambala in Haryana and our slogan is ‘Celebrate Lohri celebrate girl child’ to give out the message of valuing girls as much as the boys,” says Manmohan. Fatehgarh Sahib having the lowest sex ratio in country has the Mata Gujri College celebrating Lohri at Karimpura village to rejoice the birth of second daughter of college clerk, Harminderjit Singh.
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Pride of Bengal
It is indeed the aesthetic opulence of Indian classical music which has captivated the world and we the young generation of music practitioners owe it to our rich cultural heritage as also to the pioneers like Ravi Shanker, Ali Akbar Khan, Zakir Hussain and others for making it popular in the world,” says London-based young maestro Chiranjib Chakraborty. A melodious voice that seldom falters on any note or in any pitch is the greatest asset of Chiranjib Chakraborty. Besides performing in musical concerts in Europe he is maintaining the sanctity of Indian tradition of the ‘Guru-Shisha Pramapra’ while imparting lessons to his Asian and European disciples his Euston, London, centre. Acclaimed as the best classical vocalist in Europe, Chiranjib became famous when he was chosen to open the International Themes Festival -2005 with his Dhrupad performance. Credited more for his solo recitals at festivals at Saligny and Merseille in France, Nehru Centre, London, to mention a few, Chiranjib feels that the real level of any artist is determined by the Indian audience only. Sharing his life and achievements with Life style at the Pracheen Kala Kendra, a modest Chiranjib claims himself to be a learner who has miles to go in his chosen field. He owes his success to his parents who after noticing a spark of talent in him when he was still a child, went all the way to give him a musical environment by opening a music centre at their Anjali house. He too reciprocated by topping in the postgraduate music examination in 1989, beating all records of the Rabindra Bharati University. The national scholarship and ITC Sangeet Research Academy that followed, paved the way for grooming under the musical wizards like Pandit Nidhan Bodhan Banerjee, Arun Bhaduri and Ajoy Chakraborty. Since 1997, Chiranjib has been settled in Euston, London, performing and propagating all styles of gayaki, including ‘Dhrupad’ and ‘Dhamar’. The European students of classical music are comparatively much more dedicated and disciplined than those in India who take only a passing interest, according to the master. His latest music albums ‘Vocal Classical’ and ‘Bandish’ are making waves in India and abroad. He had worked with London’s leading fusion group ‘Shivanova’ and scored music for ‘Maya-the Musical’ for Bloomsbury Theatre. “Personally I see a great future in Indian classical arts, music and dance,” says Chiranjib before signing off.
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Age of innocence
Ek tha raja ek thi rani..dono… khatam kahani, is perhaps the fastest ending story in the world, which we often heard as our parents tried to rush us to bed. Stories meant much more than mere bedtime entertainment as a warring princess or a brave jungle boy became part of our sublime minds, transcending our world of imagination and transforming us into reality exclusively our own. Our story books were left far behind as Harry Potters invaded our world showing how much the children as well as adults love a superhero of the world of a child’s imagination feels Darshan Singh Asht who loves to write for children. Working as a steno in the Punjabi University Press, Patiala, decided to make a difference when it came to giving children the best gift possible – stories and that too in their own mother tongue. “Innocence, purity, fearless inquest into the ways of the world, freedom to live in own world of imagination, do mischief and sanction to discover in own ways is all that a child’s world is made of. This magical world of being can best find expression in world of literature. Literature specially weaved around the imagination of a child’s mind is however hard to find and all my writing is devoted to making a difference in this direction,” feels Asht. Thirty-five books old three of Singh’s books have been published from Lahore, Pakistan. His novel Wapasi published from Lahore in 2003 is taught as part of a certificate course in Punjabi from Islamabad University. His collection of short stories Navan Zamana Naviyan Gallan and collection of nursery rhymes Khed Khidone was published from Lahore. He attributes his passion for writing for children as “a tribute to the rich world of Hindi and Punjabi literature,” which enriched his mind as a child growing up in Burass village near Ghagga. “Literature for children by the likes of Munshi Prem Chand and Dhanwant Singh and in magazines such as Chandamama and Nandan in Hindi, and few magazines like Bal Sandesh published earlier from Preet Nagar, Amritsar, Nikkian Karumbalan published from Hoshiarpur, and Pankhurian and Primary Sikhiya magazines of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), besides Hasti Duniya magazine from Delhi are very few to cater to the needs of crores of our children,” feels Asht. Writing for children is a choice very few make and Asht who holds research degree in Bal Kahaniyan says, “themes have changed drastically from Raja Rani and spooky tales to sci-fi and much more.” “Writing for children is a highly responsible task in world of over exposure eroding our children of their innocence and this makes the task much more challenging,” he feels. Blaming children is no answer as the lapse is because of our over indulgence in adult literature,” says Asht. “Success of literature for children is sign that if we give good writings to children they are responsive,” says Asht. So from “Raja Rani the focus is on making children aware of issues like pollution, health, environment and take their thinking to positive action for a brighter future of informed action by the growing children now,” says Dr Asht.
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Shimmer and Shine We Punjabis are known for our penchants for celebrating life. And when it comes to celebrations, fashion automatically follows suit. This time the occasion is Lohri.
Though we might witness a more ‘urbanised’ Lohri these days, packed with a DJ belting out the latest Himmesh Reshmaiyya numbers and youngsters shaking a leg on a psychedelic dance floor, nonetheless the tradition of decking up, pampering oneself to look oh-so-perfect, particularly by the women, is still the toast of the festivities like their rural counterparts. Keeping the festival in mind, Lakme Salon in Sector 35 is all set to give you a dazzling look for the bonfire party. After wooing their customers with happy-hour stone facial last year, they have launched a free spirit floral bliss facial celebrating the free spirit of women. The uniqueness of the floral bliss is the luxury it brings with it. Unlike the routine, the floral bliss comes out to be a flowery fantasy, complete head to toe renaissance. The entire free spirit range is designed to highlight Indian women’s features and skin tone, by day and night. So that the pretty girls can stand out with their make up through a blend of ethno chic pink colours, lilacs and corals during the day time and show off their bright faces shining with sparkling reds, shimmering bronze and a hint of festive gold in the night. And if you happen to be the ‘experimenting’ type, you can go on and shock everyone around with your make up done in electric purples, glossy mauves and sparkling peaches. So leave behind that quilt and sparkle in the festivity!
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Golf in November Joyshri Lobo The man of the house (MOTH) decided to go back to the game after a five year sabbatical. He gathered three friends – all eminent doctors in Chandigarh – and hit the Panchkula greens on a Sunday morning early last November. The foursome did not look sky-wards or listen to the doe-eyed forecasters on 24x7. Half way through the course they felt a few icy drops but being brave and determined men, they decided to play on. The drops turned into a shower. The MOTH had not listened to the LOTH regarding a red Kingfisher umbrella, courtesy the King of Good Times. These are handed out to air travelers, on rainy days in Goa. (This is to promote monsoon tourism in that tiny state) Fortunately one of the doctors carried a somber looking black piece and put a warm, friendly arm around the MOTH, who felt hugely relieved. Suddenly there was a loud, ear splitting clap, and before the duo could comprehend what had occurred, they trembled like tornado hit twigs. Happy to be still standing and not strewn across the tee in the form of shriveled, roasted corpses, they thanked the Great Force above for giving them the good sense to wear rubber shoes and carry a rubber-handled umbrella. The other half of the foursome, were also proud owners of an umbrella. In fact they were very relieved to see their companions take a hit and emerge safe, unburnt and mentally sound. They were still chuckling and doubled over with merriment when a vengeful bolt snaked onto them too. Clubs, umbrella and golf bags were thrown onto the ground as the shaken and shattered twosome raced for the club house, giving a chance to the earlier victims of laughing back. The Panchkula golf course is beautifully landscaped with perfectly manicured greens. However, no one told the management that lightning strikes the tallest feature. On that fateful day the highest points were the foursome, all above six feet. Four wonderful, happy wives were spared widowhood and were able to serve excellent Sunday meals to their better halves. In Singapore a hooter goes off when thunder and lightning are forecast. All players leave the course to ride out the storm. Are we waiting for a horrible accident before we take action? I am happy to report that the quartet have recovered fully and are mentally better charged and wittier than ever before.
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Queen of the Leafy-greens
If you happen to listen in to any health related programme on TV or a radio channel, somewhere along the line, you’re bound to hear the opinion of one medical expert or the other, promoting the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Mentioned, almost at the top of the green, leafy vegetables category, will surely be spinach. Popeye, the sailor, had an affinity for this power-packed vegetable, getting stronger after consuming it. Admittedly, spinach is a rich source of Iron, Vitamin A and C, but the oxalic acid it contains, inhibits the body’s absorption of calcium and iron. Though this somewhat diminishes its nutritive value, it has nevertheless been forced down the throats of several generations! Oxalic acid is what gives spinach its slightly bitter taste which kids find off-putting. The myth about spinach and its super-high iron content springs from an interesting historical incident…or call it accident if you wish! In 1870, Dr E. von Wolf misplaced a decimal point in his publication, consequently overrating the iron content of spinach by ten times! The figure went unchecked for years and the halo slipped only as late as 1937, when a German chemist re-investigated the tabulation and corrected the mistake. Now don’t let this wilt your enthusiasm for spinach. Eat it for all its goodness, without expecting any miracles! Since the trend to eat raw spinach in salads hasn’t quite taken off in India, the next best option is to eat it steamed, not boiled. Remember, even as little as 4 minutes of boiling can halve the level of folate (iron) retained in the final stage. The presence of spinach in a dish is often heralded by the title “Florentine”. Spinach and Noodle Bake 3 cups noodles or spiral pasta, cooked and drained 1 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese 1 cup milk 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup onion, chopped ¾ -1 tbsp oil 3 eggs 2 tsp lemon juice Salt & pepper Method Cook the chopped spinach in a minimal quantity of water and drain. Lightly fry the onion bits in oil. When cool, mix in all the other ingredients except the cheese. Place in a baking dish brushed with butter and sprinkle with grated cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350ºF for 40-45 minutes, peeling away the foil for the last 20 minutes. Spinach stuffed mushrooms ¾ bunch spinach, washed & chopped ½ cup cream ¼ cup tomato ketchup A dash of vinegar 1 cup shredded cheese 300-400 gm large mushrooms Salt & pepper Melted butter Method Steam the spinach and when cooled, squeeze out any excess water. Wash the mushrooms, wipe them dry and remove the stalks. In a blender, liquidize the spinach, cream, ketchup, vinegar and seasoning till smooth. Stir in ¾ of the cheese. Briefly dunk the mushroom caps in melted butter and spoon the mixture into each of them, creating little mounds. Place them on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the reserved cheese kept aside. Bake in a 350ºF oven for about 20 minutes. Variation: If you are not in love with mushrooms, try this option – Omit the pureeing of the spinach. Omit the cream, ketchup and vinegar(and of course, omit the mushrooms!)Stir in a beaten egg and a cupful of breadcrumbs into the spinach and cheese. Shape into small balls and bake on a cookie sheet at 325ºF for 20-25 minutes.
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Glam Guru
One of the top five finalists of the Miss India Contest, who walked away with Miss Perfect 10 and Miss Beautiful Hair, Meyhar Bhasin’s name needs no introduction. Her name also evokes memories of the only Indian Model who got the opportunity to model with Cindy Crawford as the first and only Revlon girl for India and Asia and is actively into compeering and choreography and also into T.V. programmes. In today’s day and age, it is imperative for all of us to be armed with “Knowledge” to be able to take on challenges with greater self awareness and self confidence. Keeping all this in mind, Meyhar Bhasin Academy was formed in the year 1999. The Academy has tied up with can & able events pvt. ltd., a Chandigarh based brand Promotions Company to source, develop, market & execute the network all over. The franchise is not only available in the bigger markets like Chandigarh or Ludhiana & other district centers like Jammu, Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar or Amritsar but also in the smaller markets like Moga, Mansa, Muktsar Khanna, Batala, Solan, Rohtak etc. Rocking idol Hero Honda Campus Rock Idols, India’s largest inter-college rock music competition is all set to come to the city in the third edition of “Hero Honda Campus Rock Idols™”. The annual independent competition for amateur bands at the campus level, in this third consecutive year, offers an ultimate experience for bands to perform on a professional, technical and evolved production offering. Hero Honda Campus Rock Idols Tour 2006-07 in association with Nokia, WorldSpace, VH1 and Reliance, will be held across 10 cities in India over a period of 2-months. Commencing on 13 January 2007, the competition culminates with a grand finale in Pune on 11 February 2007 at Pyramid Lawns, Koregaon Park. The regional events will commence on 13 January 2007 in Shillong followed by Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Manipal, Indore, Chandigarh, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Pune respectively. The Regional selections in Chandigarh will be held on 3rd February 2007 at Leisure Valley, Sec 10, Chandigarh.
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ELEVEN PLUS TWO Harmeet Kaur Last week we did
some simple words used frequently in our conversation and turned them
around to form new words. Today it’s the turn of the cognate anagram,
which is a new word formed by transposing the words of another word or
phrase, that has some relevance to the original or is closely related in
meaning to the original. Listed here are some interesting examples of
this form of anagrammatic art. For example: THE EYES becomes THEY
SEE ABSENCE MAKES THE — He wants back HEART GROW FONDER dearest
gone from here ADOLF HITLER — Hated for ill BUTTER FLY — Flutter
by CLEANLINESS — All niceness ELEVEN PLUS TWO — Twelve plus
one FLOAT — Afloat A GENTLEMEN — Elegant man MOUSTACHE — Mouth
case SAINTLINESS — Least in sins SCHOOL MASTER — The class
room SEPARATION — One is apart STIPEND — Spent it Last week’s
answers:- 1. Yearling – Relaying 2. Wigs – Swig 3. Whoever –
However 4. Spoons – Snoops 5. Sri – Sir 6. Spores – Ropes Next
week – How to use prefixes.
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Health tip of the day
While exercising in winter it is advisable to dress in layers including gloves and socks as they create insulated air pockets that trap
heat.— Dr Ravinder Chadha |
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It’s the time to sing the praises of our own Robin Hood Dulla Bhatti, who robbed the rich and married off daughters of the poor as his own, gave them season’s goodies as gifts and thus goes the song: Dulla Bhatti ho! Dulle ne dhi viyahi ho! Ser shakkar pai ho! (Dulla gave his daughter a kilo of sugar as a marriage gift). 
Golf is the flavour of the season and there is every reason to devote five hundred words to the game. Jeev is winning; Kahlon and Johl are in the news and our very own Irina is hitting the headlines. Lesser mortals have also decided to walk the course, perhaps with not so much success or satisfaction. But you cannot say that they are not playing their best shots or putting their putts into the tin. 
1 bunch spinach, washed and chopped (about 400 gm)
Almost every newspaper carries a
word puzzle or word games where the readers are expected to make new
words from a given jumble of letters. The ability to form new words
(Anagrams) goes a long way to complete such puzzles.