Think striped shirt, blackberry, a tie as corporate as it can get, business management for a resume and mutual fund for a curriculum vitae. Nothing official about it! How do you get ferociously executive men with stiff neck corporate culture to talk about all things not even tangentially concerning business? Formidable? Casually spell out hometown and hear, hold your breath guys, Sundeep Sikka, CEO, Reliance Mutual Fund, talk about all things Chandigarh. In the city for a weeklong family vacation, he talks about.

Sukhna Lake, world famous geri route, gets very candid, very 'city'.

Did someone blurt out born and brought up in Chandigarh? He smiles, "It's my favourite city in the whole world. It's cleanest, most organised…" Oh c'mon doesn't every visitor chat that rant 'green city, clean city with beautiful roundabouts.' It's a 'since childhood affair' and connections run a little deeper. "Whenever I'm here, I make it a point to visit Sukhna Lake like I used to during my school days, enjoy the chill in the air…" He cuts, "You wake me up at three in the morning to talk about mutual funds and I can do it but it's actually tough to talk about yourself." See, told you!

Back to the city and memories and he's recalling his St. John's days and later graduation from DAV College before moving onto Pune to pursue management studies. He laughs, "If I was not a backbencher, I was not a front bencher either. Later while in college we'd go to the geri route, there was this shop Dewsuns but there were no Café Coffee Days and Baristas back then. Ghazal was my favourite restaurant and I was there just a day ago for a meal."

Do we hear the residents groan, 'The traffic's increasing' He has something to say, "Whosoever here says, the traffic's multiplied and it's getting really difficult should go to Delhi and Mumbai." Moving on to Mumbai, just as he actually did. CEO, can't get bigger than that? "I never thought that but passion and commitment take you along. There's this story of a man in 1970s who wanted to go from Washington to New York

And because of power failure everybody forbade him…" Of course, the man finally reached in pitch darkness guided by just the light of next few kms. The lessons shouldn't stop coming. "It's important not to be short sighted, set goals and to learn and unlearn. Also important to be passionate and committed." As of now, he's determined to make it for the 26th alumni meet of his school. Commitment!

manpriya@tribunemail.com

Those flow charts, pictorial graphics and a few cutouts on environmental issues along with a printed report on Al Gore presentation would have not made much sense to a layman, had it not been for Vivek Trivedi, doing the explanations.

And he has been doing it all day long at various places like tricity colleges and schools, ever since his mobile exhibition on Encountering the Challenges of Climate Change was flagged off from the Government Museum and Art Gallery-10 on Wednesday. A timely endeavour, as this exhibition comes just ahead of the World Climate Day for Action, which falls on October 24.

The messages are loud and clear: Go for CNG or LPG based transportation, enhance greenery through plantation, emphasise on solar energy, check wastage of electricity, water and fossil fuel, rain water harvesting and better infrastructure support for bicycle users.

Though the focus is local, the exhibition has a global tinge to it, which comes in form of, the Al Gore presentation on climate change along with Information, education and communication resources compiled by Trivedi, who was a participant in Al Gore Leadership Programme on Climate Change held at Melbourne in July.

Trivedi is hopeful that this mobile exposition and the presentation series on Encountering the Challenges of Climate Change, followed by a "Chandigarh Climate Change Signature Campaign", should bring that desired effect among the thinking citizens. Of course who can ignore a call like when the punch line of the exhibition urges you with all sincerity to 'Pay heed to the calls, before another moment falls'.

The exhibition concludes on October 24.

For all those who missed the latest episode of Dus ka Dum featuring Fardeen Khan and Ajay Devgan, here is a rapid recap of something really interesting that happened. Host Salman Khan came up with the question, "What percentage of kids had consumed alcohol or smoked without the knowledge of their parents during teenage?" The answer of a considerably high percentage of kids was followed by confessions made by the actors. All three of them had confessed that they got drunk during teenage years and strangely another accord was, "being caught by parents who advised them not to indulge in it without their knowledge."

So, how vital becomes parents' role when their kids begin to drink? In the process to find answers, we came across this study conducted by researchers at the Liverpool John Moors University that says, "Giving money to your teenager for drinking alcohol can actually help him/ her avoid getting into trouble. Youngsters buying alcohol with their own money are prone to be involved in violence and binge drinking." The study is authenticated after subjecting it on 10,000 teenagers, aged 16.

Rajesh Gill, a city-based sociologist, supports involvement of parents in kids' life, once he begins to drink but does not agree with the study. She says, "Liberty is a subjective term. Giving money to kids for drinking is not being liberal. Rather, it is in a way, consenting kids to go for it."

The study undertaken in the Western society further makes it inapplicable on the Indian society. "Consuming any form of alcohol at young age can't be justified anyway. Giving money to kids for drinking wouldn't prove this wrong right."

We really can't say whether the makers of Hollywood flick, Hangover, intended to impart any wisdom, however, they did, on how drastically things can go wrong after binge drinking. But for the unabated teenagers, who just aren't ready to tame their drinking habit or care two hoots for the moral lessons, there are solutions that parents can resort to, "Keep communication channels open. Most of the times, parents feel hitch to talk about a topic like this. Also, parents who consume alcohol should do responsible drinking," Dr Simi Wariach, consultant psychiatrist, Fortis, strongly recommends. She also adds that it is important to educate kids about the harmful effects of alcohol. In cases, where the drinking habits of youngsters have gone worse, the way out as suggested by Dr Simi would be, "Keep a check on the pocket money." Spare the rod, spoil the child, though not completely holds true for the Indian society for the reason, "Children, unlike in the West, remain financially dependent on parents till they complete their education. You cannot expect parents to give kids money for drinking," adds Rajesh Gill.

Even opinion of parents was sought on the same and majority of them were not in favour of any form of adoloscent intoxication. Manmohan Kohli, a parent and a businessman, categorises non-drinking kids into two, "One who have never seen their parents drink and others who have seen abusive behaviour of their parents after taking alcohol, abhor alcohol." He also adds, parents' supporting the alcohol expenses of their children is not a way out as eventually it would harm their health. Wise thought!

Music, especially the serene Hindustani classical music, excels all other arts as a mode of man's direct response to the call of the beautiful," maintains the former bureaucrat and music proponent, N. Khosla, president, Indian National Theatre (INT). This undeniably is the guiding belief for us that in the classical music sammelans in the city, we will be assured of the best Hindustani music. This society has presented the likes of Pt: Bhimsen Joshi, Vidushi Kishori Amonkar, Pt: Kumar Gandharva, Ustad Vilayet Khan, Parveen Sultana and a host of other leading lights of this genre. Khosla goes on to claim that Kishori Amonkar (Padma Vibhushan), Budhaditya Mukerji and several others whose names are a force to reckon with today were all introduced by Indian National Theatre. Meet the well-acclaimed performing music maestros

The festival opens on October 23 with an auspicious Shehnai recital by Shankar brothers, Sanjeev and Ashwani, representatives of family legacy of Shehnai players nurtured by their father guru Pandit Daya Shanker and grandpa Pandit Ananat Lal. Sanjeev Shanker is now being imparted advanced training by legendary Pandit Ravi Shanker, who also toured USA with him. He has been a part of musical projects of Anoushka Shankar since 2007.

The other artiste to perform on that day is Manjusha Patil. Based at Sangli, Manjusha Patil is the A grade artist of AIR. Known for her versatility and mastery over intricacies of Agra gharana bols and Gwalior gharna taankai, she took training from Pandit Kenubua and later from Dr Vikas Kashalkar and others.

On October 24 versatile vocalist Vinita Gupta, who owes her musical grooming to the late Dr. Sharayu Kalekar and her sister Sulochana Brahaspati of Rampur -Sehaswan gharana will first perform. An A grad artist of AIR, she won the National Talent scholarship at 13 and later completed M.Phil in music with distinction from Delhi university. A regular performer, she is an accomplished composer also.

Noor Zehra Kazim, internationally known as Sagar Veena maestro from Lahore, will light up the sammelan with her recital. She learnt from Rajeshwari Datta of School of Oriental and African Studies, London before getting special training in Ali Akbar School of Music in California on Sagar Veena. Pandit Vidyadhar Vyas, the doyen of Gwalior gharana, Pandit Vidyadhar Vyas, will conclude the second day programme and will also play on the third day. Holding allegiance to the linage of Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, Vidyadhar Vyas has emerged as a stalwart musician on khyal, tarana and bhajan gayaki. He proved his mettle at the Indian music conference in Mauritius in 2003, Netherlands 1995, USA in 1992 and at several other venues. Masters in Sociology and Ph.D in music, Vyas ji had made a significant contribution to Indian classical music.

Sangeetacharya Vidyadhar Vyas will conclude the sammelan on October 25 with his recital.

Venue: Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan auditorium -27.

Do you find it ironic that the word ‘single’ when added to your relationship status, always comes coupled with a set of problems? To each, there own. In college, being single is tough, thanks to peer pressure but once you cross the golden age mark (for marriage in India), it’s a crime. The trauma of running out of reasons why you are not ‘settled’ or choose to ‘die alone’, your personal decision becoming a matter of public discussion and the tag of being ‘irresponsible’ with life. Life’s hard for singles? May be, but they sure don’t mind the challenge. As the gap between singles and marred, oops, married people close up, the benefit seem to be shifting towards the so-called loners. No responsibilities, nobody to stop, longer life and no attachment problems (getting drunk, cigs et al figure in the list too). Here’s why a growing number of people are defying Newton’s third law when applied to relationships.

“This is funny, when we say that for every idiot there is an equal and opposite gender idiot, singles are the people with incomparable intelligence. But on a serious note, being single makes it easy to enjoy life more,” believes Rakesh Kumar, a freelance photographer from the city. “And by that, I don’t mean being scared of responsibilities and stability in life, but just choosing to avoid carrying the emotional burden of something that may or may not work out,” he adds.

Few of the recent studies too propagate the idea by suggesting single people do not have attachment problems or living longer than the married ones. Some incentive? “Singlehood means no compromises in disguise of emotions. Unpredictable life is fun,” feels Gaurav Chabra, founder director, Humlog. So, being coupled is being cracked up? “Not that. But its great to be free of any restricting things like listening to “where ere you…what are you doing” etc, calling and receiving 10 calls per day or being tied up to someone,” he confides.

As for single females, the problems are different. Waiting too long for ‘Mr Right’ or just intimidated by the idea of feminism? “I think it’s about being free to run our own lives. When you are committed all your attention goes to only one person. But a single person can enjoy the company of more people and make meaningful relationships without big expectations and disappointments. Also, saves you from the silly emotional hassles,” says Diana, research intern, CYP Asia Centre. Not to mention saving a fortune on gifts and expensive display of your affections. And, what’s the reason, we can’t help asking? Heartbreaks, impatience, emotional weakness or plain trouble? “Staying single doesn’t mean you are closed to any relationship. And, every boy has their own justification for it,” feels Gaurav.

But what about the pressure to kill the fun run? “Of course, there is always pressure from the family, and I don’t choose to stay single for life,” says Diana. Sure, ‘mate poaching’ anyways works well for single women, as they are more likely to pursue taken men (as claim some researchers). What say? “Really, well then it further proves my cause, all good men are taken and there is no good chasing the leftovers,” she sounds direct.

For the ones who are not actively looking forward to any relationship, “I guess stubbornness helps,” says Gaurav. Unpredictable life is sure fun.

And they have alternatives to a happy life without the baggage. “A great friend circle, though can’t replace an intimate relation. But it definitely can be a great buffer in the emotionally much needed times,” share Diana and Gaurav.

nehawalia@tribunemail.com

What has emotions to do with data collection and sampling? Or, compatibility compared to chemical reactions? What if the passage to your divorce crosses through a maternity ward? Whacko? No, I am not, thank you. Psyched out? Maybe, not from an overdose but the helplessness to understand the claims and startling revelations in the name of research. Some Ph.D-head mumbo-jumbo, men with grey hair and grey matter spelling out the analogy between sentiments and survey reports. Might want to believe me while reading this warning from a certain Micheal Ordent, a childbirth specialist in the US, who claims that childbirth can actually lead to a divorce. How? Well, “Watching your wife give birth could end a man's sexual attraction towards her and lead to a split.” Really! So every time a woman gives birth, we have a single mother in the making. Or, another one saying, personal space invasions in the lavatory can lead to stress. C’mon, I understand the ‘stress’ mentioned, but wonder who would want to invade your space in a loo? More, one study claims women of the future will be short, plump and more fertile. Now, that’s a relief for my types, though my heart goes to the size zero lollypops, who’ll have to settle for a second-class status. We may like reading about the scientifically proposed qualities of an ideal guy or people getting happier as they age (and I thought botox made them happy), but when applied in real life, most of the times they miss the mark and we miss the point.

So, claiming that men who help in household chores have a better sex life is not surprising or any way a revelation for women. Isn’t it obvious that they’ll get more benefits than the pot-bellied pigs, who marry just to save the salary of a maid.

So, the next time you find a breakthrough study, kindly make sure to break the point through.

Life expectancy changed because people changed the way they lived," said Dr Lauren Carstensen. "Now that we're here, we have to keep adapting. We are in the middle of a second revolution and it's up to us to make adulthood itself longer and healthier," she added. Dr Susan Turk Charles, of the University of California, Irvine found that except for people with dementia-related diseases, mental health generally improves with age. She said the research has also shown that older adults exert greater emotional control than younger adults, meaning older adults are more likely to actively avoid or limit negative, stressful situations than do younger adults.

The findings revealed that younger adults focused more on the negative comments and demanded more information about the origin of the criticism. Older adults were less likely to dwell on the negative comments and their responses were less negative overall compared to those of the younger adults. "Based on work by Carstensen and her colleagues, we know that older people are increasingly aware that the time they have left in life is growing shorter," said Charles.

"They want to make the best of it so they avoid engaging in situations that will make them unhappy. They have also had more time to learn and understand the intentions of others which help them to avoid these stressful situations," she added. — ANI

Alcohol and drug use are known contributors to teenagers engaging in dangerous practices like unprotected sex, multiple partners, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and drug overdose. Yet, research suggests that fewer than half of paediatricians report screening patients for substance use and at-risk sexual behaviour.

CRAFFT, the diagnostic test developed and currently being employed at Children's Hospital Boston (CH-B), allows primary care physicians to accurately screen teenagers for high risk drug and alcohol use in a matter of minutes.

Now, researchers have established that the CRAFFT diagnostic test can also identify teenagers who are more likely to engage in high risk sexual behaviours.

Researchers found that teenagers who screened positive for substance use had significantly greater odds of having sexual contact after using drugs or alcohol.

Developed by the Children's Centre for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research, the CRAFFT screen, includes questions like "do you ever use alcohol or drugs to relax, feel better about yourself, or fit in?" Answering "yes" to two or more questions is highly predictive of an alcohol or drug-related disorder and now at-risk sexual behaviour, said a CH-B release. "Clinicians should be prepared to discuss high risk sexual behaviours with their patients along with the dangers of engaging in sexual activity while intoxicated," said Sharon Levy, study co-author and physician at the Children's Hospital. — IANS.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is tired of the media giving "national importance" to his differences with Shah Rukh Khan. "We do not talk to each other but why make a national issue out of it", asked Salman.

"We are not like India and Pakistan that the issue is given so much importance and priority. There are other things and issues to focus on as well.” Salman said he is tired of answering media questions about his fight with Shah Rukh at Katrina Kaif's birthday party last year.

Talking about relationships, Salman said, "friendship is a beautiful relation and a friend is one such person who will come to rescue you everytime (you are in trouble)." Describing childhood friends as the real ones, Salman said friends made after entering a profession are only professional friends. — PTI

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who had campaigned for polio vaccination, is happy that his "tireless" efforts have yielded results and the actor has hinted that he may carry on with the project. "I have worked tirelessly for the eradication of polio in certain distinct parts of our country. I am informed that in UP and in Bihar, the two prominent regions where polio still abounds, the number of polio strains that were at one time six in number, have now been reduced to just one and for this they have been complimenting our rigorous campaigns," Bachchan wrote in his blog.

The 67-year-old actor, who is the goodwill ambassador for United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), has been campaigning for polio eradication since 2002 and is likely to carry on with the campaign.

"The UN authorities had come over to meet and discuss how they could extend the appointment further and how we could work together for the benefit of children," Bachchan wrote. The star hopes that polio would be completely removed from the scene one day. "Its still not a completely free situation, but it is almost there. Which is heartening to note," he adds. — PTI

With his outlandish dressing sense, Akshay Kumar could be a strong contender for the world's worst-dressed men list, at least that's what the editor of a British magazine believes. Jeremy Langmead, editor of Esquire magazine, has said that the 42-year-old Bollywood action hero might be one of India's most successful film stars, but he doesn't score too well when it comes to style.

He said that Akshay's enthusiasm for the latest fashions - particularly ones that involve shiny bits attached to them - sadly makes him a strong contender for the world's worst dressed men list, reports Times Online.

While Kumar, just like his contemporaries form Hollywood, loves to sport the latest looks shown on the catwalks of Paris and Milan, his pictures on Google reveal some of the most unappetising outfits worn by modern man, said Langmead. His oversized sunglasses looks as if borrowed from Victoria Beckham, day-glo hoodies stolen from Kanye West, slogan T-shirts from Henry Holland, and lots of shiny, torso-revealing accessories that remind one just a little bit too much of Daffyd from Little Britain, the literary expert said. — ANI

Bollywood actor-producer Sohail Khan, whose Salman-Kareena starrer Main Aur Mrs Khanna received a lukewarm response at the box office, feels that film's Diwali release clashing with other big movies was the "biggest mistake". "To be honest, we got poor response for the movie in the initial days of its release. In the first two days the collection touched 30-40 per cent," Sohail said.

He conceded that it was a mistake to release the movie during Diwali, when two other big films, Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt's Blue and Ajay Devgan's multi-starrer All The Best also opened on October 16.

"It was the biggest mistake to release the movie during Diwali. It was a learning experience and people often learn from their mistakes," Sohail said. During Diwali, there is a festive mood. People are busy with celebrations. Too many movies divide the audience...then there are other sources of entertainment as well," he added. Sohail, who tied up with UTV for his newly released Main Aurr Mrs Khanna, however, is optimistic about its prospects in the coming weeks.

"As a product (film) I'm happy with it and expect it to do well. It is picking up and we are eyeing the collections to go up to 70 per cent in the coming days," he said. He advocated the need for a separate body in the film industry to decide on the release of a movie. — PTI

After the success of Indian Idol and Kaun Banega Crorepati, popular American series The Apprentice is the latest to join the bandwagon of reality shows ruling the small screen in the country. The Apprentice, which originated in 2004 in the US with the winner getting an initial pay packet of 250,000 USD and a chance to run one of the companies of business mogul Donald Trump has travelled worldwide with different versions and will be launched next year in India.

"People really want to work for a big company for a big salary and have a big job. The Apprentice is very aspirational and will work in a country like India," C Scot Cru, Head of International, Mark Burnett Productions said. The production house has also announced to roll out the Indian version of The Contender with Olympic bronze medal winner boxer Vijender Singh as the host.

"I love spending time with people who are appreciative and Vijender is very appreciative of the opportunities he had and he fits in The Contender, which is about changing lives.

Vijender personifies that spirit of having the heart of a lion," Cru said.

Akash Sharma, Managing Director of Bulldog Media and Entertainment who bought Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hain?, hosted by Bollywood actor, Shah Rukh Khan, has now teamed up with Burnett Productions to bring The Contender.

He is confident that Vijender being the host will be a boost to the show. — PTI

Controversial India-born writer Salman Rushdie is still obsessed with his ex-wife model Padma Lakshmi, two years after the couple's split, says his former lover and actress Pia Glenn. The 32-year-old Broadway star said she was dumped by Rushdie in June, after more than a year of dating, because he has still not got over the Indian beauty. "He would talk about Padma day and night. He felt hurt and betrayed by her. He would talk about her so much that I’d to ask him to stop. We had a few fights and he would get angry and then it would be difficult to calm him down," Glenn said.

The 62-year-old Booker winning author wed the model-turned-TV chef Lakshmi in 2004 but the couple filed for divorce in July 2007. Glenn, who is best known for starring as a pole-dancing Condoleezza Rice in a Broadway satire also claimed that the author is "cowardly, dysfunctional and immature" who dumped her by email after their brief love affair,” she said. — PTI