Rajiv Bhatia Zirakpur, December 12 Work on four laning of the Zirakpur-Patiala highway is expected to commence shortly with the public works department asking the Zirakpur municipal council to submit an estimate of the cost of clearing the expressway. The PWD had earlier written to the MC to remove the streetlights on the highway which were under the latter’s jurisdiction.
According to MC officials, the PWD had sought the estimate of clearing a three kilometre stretch under the civic body’s jurisdiction before work on four-laning of the 55 km long highway could commence.
The department has been told to remove all streetlights and asked to prepare the estimate. The MC officials also stated that the MC had already issued notices to shopkeepers on the highway to remove encroachments.
Zirakpur executive officer SK Sharma said after receiving the PWD’s letter the department concerned had been asked to prepare the cost estimate which would be forwarded to the PWD soon.
When contacted, SDE Pawan Nagpal said the work on the four-laning of the highway would start soon. “Tenders for the project will be invited at the beginning of the new year. A private company will be given the contract to construct the expressway on a BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis”, he added.
Nagpal said the PWD had asked all municipal councils that were under the jurisdiction of Zirakpur to submit the cost estimate on clearing the expressway. He said after getting the estimate, payment would be made to them according to their estimates and after that the department would not face any difficulty during the work to widen the highway.
“The Zirakpur-Bhadurgarh stretch of the highway will be four-laned while the stretch from Bhadurgarh to the Patiala bus stand would be six-laned. The expressway will be completed by March 2012”, Nagpal added.
This stretch is known for being accident prone and plagued by incessant traffic jams. According to the police, more than six accidents are reported in a month on an average, with most mishaps occurring at night. Mean while, work on four-laning of the Zirakpur-Kalka highway is in progress and is expected be completed soon.
The catering standards in the tri-city are likely to be enhanced with the launch - today - of Supper Club, an outdoor concept catering company that is part of the Nagpal Frozen Food Group. The moving force behind Supper Club, Mr. Sahil Nagpal, is a graduate of the prestigious Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Mumbai. He has worked under some of the leading chefs of the country including Chef Vernon Coelho and Chef Hemant Oberoi. In an added plus, Mr. Nagpal has also undergone training at the Institute of Meat Processing, Hyderabad for handling meat and worked with nutritionist Dr N. Kondaiah.
According to Mr. Nagpal, “Our objective is very clear. We want to give our clientele a unique experience in luxury dining outside the restaurant doors. Most guests get fed up with attending back to back functions as they seem alike in terms of menu, concept and presentation. We are looking at carving a niche for ourselves by introducing a number of specialized services like Silver Service, Gueridon Service, Kiosk Service, Platter Service etc.”
Talking about the importance of hygiene, Mr. Nagpal said, “Our focus will be on maintaining the highest standards of hygiene not only in the guest areas but also the kitchen. We have set a number of processes and standards in place to ensure that raw as well as cooked food is kept in a sterile environment in the kitchen area. Our chefs and support staff will be required to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene,” he added.
Supper Club will cater to Corporate Gatherings, Kitty Parties, Exhibitions, Weddings and Functions where there are 50 to 1000 guests. The company will look to innovate new concepts and re-innovate the basics so that the guests savour the ambience created by the food and service. The guests would be offered the best suited menus for their functions, carefully selected by a team of Chefs of Supper Club.
Zirakpur, December 4 It seems the Mohali police and the local administration have not learnt any lesson from the yesterday’s tragic incident in which two persons were burnt alive when the Honda City car they were travelling in hit the oil tank of a multi-axle trailer taking a U-turn through an illegal turning on the Chandigarh-Ambala National Highway.
The authorities concerned failed to take any measure to close the illegal median at entry point of Zirakpur near the sales tax barrier.
A visit to the spot revealed that trucks were crossing the median putting at risk their as well as commuters lives in danger. Traffic cops at the spot were mere spectators as they failed to take action against the errant truck drivers. A number of trucks parked on the roadside at the sales tax barrier also cause traffic congestion.
In the absence of any blinker, indicators and streetlights, minor accidents are a routine affair on the stretch.
SSP, Mohali, GPS Bhullar said they had already written to the Mohali DC and the Excise and Taxation Department to provide parking facility for trucks to take the U-turn. The entry point too needs to be widened. “Since most of the trucks don’t have permits to enter Chandigarh, they need space to take the U-turn,” he added.
Dera Bassi DSP JS Khaira said the issue of illegal thoroughfare near the sales tax barrier had repeatedly been taken up with the authorities concerned. He said he had already written to the Mohali SSP for removing the sale tax barrier.
The talented youngsters at the Guljar Wrestling Akhara train hard to realise their dreams
Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, December 5 For Lovepreet, day begins early. Winters or summers, this 12-year-old promising wrestler leaves his bed for the training session as early as 4 am at the Gulzar Wrestling Akhara here. His aim is to secure a medal in Olympic Games and to accomplish his dream he has to stay away from his family, which is in Karnal.
However, Love is not the only one following this stiff schedule as there are many other budding wrestlers who are practicing hard, supporting a hope of winning a medal in their eyes.
Guljar Wrestling Akhara, a government-adopted one was started in 2005, at Zirakpur in Punjab, after the name of late Gulzar Singh Sandhu, a noted wrestler.
Around 40 young wrestlers from different states like Himachal, Haryana and Punjab get training under the vigil eyes of SAI coach RS Kundu.
Kundu, who did his advance training from Budapest (Hungary), said, “Earlier the wrestling centre was set up at Shivalik Public School in phase VI, by the SAI but after some time it could not be continued. Due to this many talented wrestlers came on road side.”
He added “Then this wrestling centre was started in Dara Studio at Mohali by late Gulzar Singh Sandhu, its president. The young wrestlers brought many laurels for the Akhara under his training.”
Considering the achievements of this akhara, Government of India adopted it under NSTC Day Boarding Scheme in 2003. They provided facilities like multi-gym of 12 stations, a set of mats and stipend for 20 wrestlers, which is Rs 1,000 per month per wrestler, were provided by the SAI.
“Unfortunately in 2005, Gulzar Singh Sandhu died. He represented the country in national and international competitions. After his death, the authorities of Dara Studio had not given us further permission to run coaching centre,” stated Kundu.
“I sold my house and bought a piece of land where I started the akhara,” said Kundu.
Kundu said many international wrestlers like Nitin Rathee; world junior bronze medalist in 2008; Rajender Singh, Karmbir Singh, Shamsher Singh, Rakesh, Om Vir, Krishan Kumar were started their career with the akhara which has won 30 medals in various competitions like Asian/Commonwealth Games, Asian/Commonwealth championships, SAF Games, World Junior/Sub Junior Championship, Asian Junior/Sub Junior Championship and Grand Prix International Championships.
He said providing a good diet to wrestlers is a major problem. The young wrestlers need only good diet and for that they are requesting Punjab government for some help.
Kundu said for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, Hardeep Singh an inmate here is reserve member in the camp. Hardeep has won medals in junior and national competitions.
The young wrestlers are getting free accommodation and free training at the centre. They are also pursuing their studies at various schools and colleges.
Vinod Pandey, a 19-year-old young wrestler said winning a gold medal in Olympic Games is his main aim. He said, “We have started morning practice session from 5 am to 7 pm and evening session in which wrestlers bout from 3 pm to 7 pm”.
“If we get a proper diet we will definitely bring laurels for Punjab and India,” added another wrestler Shiv Narayan.
Zirakpur, December 3 Loud music blaring out of various marriage palaces till late night is troublesome for the residents of Zirakpur. Besides creating noise, the marriage palaces also pose a traffic hazard along the national highway.
The residents of the area are complaining that they hardly get any sleep in night as loud music at marriage palaces causes noise pollution. They stated the Supreme Court had banned the loud music after 10 pm but the local administration has failed to check this violation. Around 25 marriage palaces are located on the highway and in the residential areas of the town. Noise pollution is causing disturbance to school going students and also affecting senior citizens and ailing people.
Sakshi Sharma, a student of Class 10th said loud music disturbs her study in the night.
Another resident of Zirkapur said the local police asked for a written complaint against marriage palaces if approached regarding the violation. Puneet Goyal, SDM, Dera Bassi, said, “We would shortly call a meeting of marriage palace and hotel owners to discuss public problems.”
Zirakpur, November 29 The rising number of accidents on the Zirakpur-Lalru road at National Highway-22 in Mohali district has become a matter of concern.
Going by the police records, around 84 persons were killed in 156 road accidents from January to November.
Even after one year of the four-lane of Chandigarh-Ambala Highway, no improvement has been seen in terms of rising number of accidents on this stretch.
Approximately one life is lost every day in the road accident at this stretch.
Most of the victims were two-wheeler riders or those travelling by cars and auto-rickshaws.
Maximum numbers of hit-and-run cases are reported regularly. According to the police, loaded trucks, tractor-trailers, buses and other speeding vehicles were involved in 90 per cent of the accidents.
In Dera Bassi, on November 27, two motorcyclists were killed after they were run over by a speeding truck near Janetpur village on the Dera Bassi-Ambala Highway.
In Lalru, a 22-year-old girl was killed after being hit by a speeding truck on the Ambala-Chandigarh National Highway.
Last week, Sandeep Doda, a resident of Zirakpur, was killed after being hit by an unknown vehicle on the Chandigarh-Ambala Highway near Singhpura village in Zirakpur.
Also, 52 mishaps were reported in which 34 persons lost their life, including 31 men and three women, while 35 persons were injured in various.
As per the information provided by the Lalru Police Station, 50 accidents were reported in which 30 deaths, including 28 men and two women.
Around 104 persons were injured in road accidents this year. As compared to 2008, more than 61 accidents were reported till date in which 33 persons lost their lives and 44 were injured.
In Zirakpur, 54 accidents occurred in which 22 persons were killed, including 16 men, five women and one child.
More than 70 persons were injured. In 2008, 36 accidents were reported out of which 21 persons died.
Raghav Gupta, a Panchkula-based advocate, said drunk driving was one of the biggest causes of accidents.
In past few years, there is an increase in liquor vends on highways. He said the traffic police should put nakas in the night and must conduct breath analyser test. Drunk drivers must be challaned, he added.
Nandna, a social activist, said the authorities concerned should put reflectors on the roadsides and speed limit boards should be mentioned along the highway.
She said the marriage palaces and dhabas along the highway had no parking lots, as a result visitors parked their vehicles along the highway.
The local administration should check on such violations, she added.
However, Mohali SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, said he held a meeting with Mohali DC Prabhjot Singh Mand, regarding the issue. "We are planning to set up an advisery committee to solve the problem,” he added.
Zirakpur, November 23 Traffic lights installed at various intersections here have been out of order for some time, causing long traffic jams on the highways.Traffic lights at all three traffic intersections here have not been working, leading to inconvenience to motorists.
In the absence of traffic lights, motorists have to face difficulty crossing the intersection. Daily commuters said the authorities concerned should take the matter seriously and ensure the repair of the traffic lights on a priority basis.
Amardeep Singh, a resident of Dera Bassi, said: “Traffic snarl-ups are commonplace at the intersections due to the non-functional traffic lights.”
“In spite of paying toll on the highway, the authorities concerned have failed to give facilities to motorists,” he said.
Another commuter asserted that policemen present at the intersections were often seen talking on their mobile phones and failed to carry out their duty properly.
The DSP (traffic) said: “We have written to the NHAI officials many a time to ensure proper working of the lights but nothing had been done so far.”
On the other hand, NHAI officials claimed the the traffic lights would be made functional in a couple of days.
Dera Bassi, November 22 Ace hockey goalkeeper Baljit Singh is eyeing a comeback in the international circuit with the Commonwealth Games next year. He had returned from the US after three surgeries in the right eye last month only. Now, his aim is to focus on the Commonwealth Games and for which he has already started light practice and fitness training.
He said as per doctors, he would get full vision in the next four to five months. “Now my eye is better, I will be fit to represent India again,” Baljit added.
Giving his best wishes to the Indian hockey team for the coming World Cup, Baljit said the young players were talented and fit. They are working hard and hopefully they will win the World Cup for India.
Defending the selection of Rajpal as the team captain, he said it was a wise decision of the coach and federation.
Elaborating, he said Rajpal was the senior most and confident player after Sandeep, who was currently out of the team due to an injury.
Claiming that there was not in-fight in the team, he said the team stood united.
He said as far as he was concerned, he had not received any support from the Punjab government.
He is hoping that the state government will help him and think about him in future. He also appealed to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to think about him.
Baljit was sent to the US in August after a golf ball, with which he was practicing during a camp in Pune, sneaked through his helmet’s visor and damaged his right eye. Baljit said he wanted to wear the goalkeeper kit and play for India again.
Dera Bassi, November 12 Due to negligence of the Dera Bassi Municipal Council, heaps of garbage can be witnessed in different parts of the area. Residents alleged that the authorities concerned failed to fulfill their duties efficiently.
A large chunk of garbage was witnessed on the court road, Mubarikpur road, Dera Bassi-Chandigarh Highway near Barwala road and other places.
Sources in the MC stated that more than 10 dustbins had been kept in various localities. The Dera Bassi Municipal Council spends nearly Rs 1.10 lakh on the sanitation work, he added.
However, one of the MC councillors stated that no MC meeting had taken place from the past few months affecting the development and other works of the area.
Mahesh Kumar, a resident of Dera Bassi, said it was difficult for schoolchildren to cross the tehsil road as piles of garbage were lying in open.
Sanjeev Bagga, another resident, asserted that the local bodies should try to solve the problem because the weather was changing and the city was already in grip of viral related diseases. However, MC officials claimed that the cleanliness drives were conducting on regular intervals.
Dera Bassi, November 20 For smooth flow of traffic on the Dera Bassi-Ambala highway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to install traffic lights near the Dera Bassi bus stand. The traffic lights would be installed within in the next 15 days.
The other work related with the highway like foot overbridges, proper rainwater drainage system, two bus queue shelters with green belt, beautification below the Zirakpur flyover, widening of roads from both sides of the highway would be started early next year, an NHAI official said.
In August this year, the SDM, Dera Bassi, the DSP, the NHAI director, drainage department and MC officials had visited Zirkapur, Dera Bassi and Lalru areas.
They had discussed the problems that the residents faced while commuting on the Chandigarh-Ambala and the Zirakpur-Kalka highways.
During the visit, the local administration asked the NHAI officials to re-work on medians on the Dera Bassi-Ambala highway.
The administration had also asked the NHAI to maintain the drainage system along the highways especially near Bhankarpur village.
Officials said to solve the waterlogging problem on the highway, the department has also planned to extend the highway’s drains till Ghaggar river. Official sources said two steel foot overbridges in Dera Bassi and Bhankarpur would be constructed for pedestrians. The Zirakpur MC had also written to the NHAI officials for NOC to set up a green belt under the flyover. NHAI officials said they would meet the MC officials to discuss the matter in coming week.
The NHAI’s project director, Anil Dahia, said the minutes of the meeting were forwarded to the higher authorities for approval and traffic lights would be installed in 15 days.
He said after getting the approval, the work would be started on priority.
SDM, Dera Bassi, Punit Goyal said they will discuss the matter with NHAI officials to start the work as soon as possible.
Zirakpur, November 8 Though Zirakpur is developing at a fast pace, the district administration seems to have forgotten to upgrade its own municipal council building that is crying for a makeover.
The building of Zirakpur municipal council is in a shambles. A Grade I category municipal council building, which had been repaired a number of times during the past years, is presently in a very bad shape.
The residents complained that there were no proper sitting arrangements for visitors and the parking problem also prevailed. They also demanded the MC office should be at some open place with proper parking facility.
However, MC officials claimed that the civic body was planning to construct their new building for which the plans were in the pipeline.
According to information, the MC office is running in a community centre, which was inaugurated in 1995. The foundation stone at the MC office shows that the building was constructed when Zirakpur was a gram panchayat. Though Zirakpur nagar panchayat was upgraded to municipal council in 2007, nobody bothered to upgrade the MC office.
There are 19 rooms divided in cabins at the MC office where around 28 employees are working. There are no fire extinguishers, sand bucket or water hydrant system available in the office to control any untoward incident.
Some employees working in the office, on the condition of anonymity, said the roofs of some rooms leaked during rains and cracks had developed in the walls. The roof of their room could collapse any time, they added.
Sources in the civic body said as the population in Zirakpur was increasing by the day, public dealing had also increased. They revealed that the authorities had identified a barren land for the MC building and the site would be finalised after approval from the local administration.
After that, the matter would be put up at the coming MC meeting. Sources also said the processes to prepare the map for the new MC building had been started for which a private architect had been hired.
Naresh Sharma, a resident of Zirakpur, said the MC building was in bad condition and despite of repeated reminders the authorities concerned were not paying heed.
Widening of Highway Sales tax barrier adds to traffic woes Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, November 5 The multi-crore project of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to widen the Ambala-Zirakpur national highway is of no help to motorists plying on the road, all thanks to the Punjab Sales Tax authorities.
Considering the consequences, tax barrier has been shifted on the Zirakpur-Chandigarh highway near Chandigarh. Besides parking of goods’ trucks, which is hampering the flow of traffic, traffic jams are a usual affair here.
The blockage on the road also causes minor accidents. On October 31, as many as 40 students of DAV School, Malout district, Muktsar, had a narrow escape when their bus collided with an Indica at the sale tax barrier. Though there was no injury, the car was damaged from one side.
A survey of the area reveals long queues of trucks waiting to get their documents checked. In the absence of streetlights, chances of road mishaps have also increased during the night.
According to information, earlier, the sale tax barrier at Zirakpur-Ambala highway near Singhpura village was causing traffic due to shortage of parking space. The barrier has also led to the loss of many lives in road accidents. The concerned department had shifted the barrier to Zirakpur-Chandigarh. The department claimed that there was enough space for parking of vehicles, but the parking problem was not solved, as a result trucks along with other vehicles were parked on the roadside.
Anand Sharma, a resident of Ambala, said it was difficult to drive on this track during night, as there was no signboard indicating about the sale tax barrier.
The concerned department must install blinkers to indicate commuters about the sale tax barrier, he added.
“In absence of traffic police, truck drivers park their trucks as per their wish,” said Varun Sharma, a resident of Zirakpur.
Talking to The Tribune, truck drivers asserted that they were also facing parking problems, but they have no option except to park their trucks on the roadside.
DSP Dera Bassi JS Khaira said the sale tax barrier was causing problem in the smooth flow of traffic during VIP duty. He said it was a serious issue and sale tax barrier must be shifted to some open space. “We have also written to SSP Mohali,” he added.
SDM Dera Bassi Punit Goyal said they were getting several complaints. “We have forwarded the complaints to higher authorities,” he said.
Dera Bassi, October 10 Infighting among Dera Bassi municipal councillors is affecting development in the township.
Residents have alleged that ongoing differences between the councillors have put development on the backburner. After the council elections in 2008, the MC had focussed only on pending works and no big projects were being started, they claimed.
In Dera Bassi, there were of 13 wards, out of which SAD candidates had won from seven, BJP from two and Congress from one. The remaining three were won by independent candidates.
The tussle among them started before the bypoll for the Banur assembly seat in June, 2009. Eight councillors had submitted a no-confidence motion against MC president Manjit Kaur.
According to MC sources, a no-confidence motion could be passed only by the requisite majority of councillors. The opposing councillors could not muster the requisite majority and no meeting had been called to discuss this issue.
The councillors were divided into two groups. One group, which had eight councillors, were against the MC president, said to be close to the late Capt Kanwaljit Singh. Her group had five municipal councillors.
The opposing councillors had alleged that while submitting the motion they had lost faith in the style of working of the president.
She lacked knowledge of local problems, due to which development was affected, they added.
Unconfirmed reports stated that some personal issues were a part of this activity and they were getting the support of a senior Akali leader to remove the MC president. On the other hand, councillors supporting the MC president denied the allegations made by the eight councillors.
“The municipal councillors are not in a mood to undertake any development of the town and they are enjoying the facilities provided to them”, said a resident of Ward No 4.
Residents also stated that councillors did not care for the general public and had forgot the promises they made during the elections.
They seemed to forget that if the general public had voted them in, they also had the power to vote them out, the resident added.
Zirakpur, October 2 The municipal council of Zirakpur is apparently making a habit out of changing its executive officers.
Available information indicates the council has changed five executive officers in over one year. According to residents of the area, this “habit” of the MC is affecting the developmental works of the area. The residents claim that the officer is changed even before he can settle and carry out an activity.
According to MC sources, Shatrajit Sharma from Mandi Gobindgarh will be the new executive officer. Sources reveal that he is closely related to a senior Punjab minister.
While executive officer Sukhjinder Singh Sidhu has been transferred to Dera Bassi, this may affect the work that was started by him. In his eight months tenure, he has worked on many projects. A tree plantation drive in Zirakpur is one of his major achievements. He had planned to construct a library and health club for Zirakpur residents, but now it seems it will be a distant dream for the residents.
In February, Sidhu was appointed as Zirakpur MC executive officer after Vijay Gupta, who was appointed an EO in December last year.
After the last year’s MC elections, RK Mittal was appointed as the executive officer but he was transferred from the Zirakpur MC to the Kharar MC in October last year. Later, Girish Verma was appointed as the EO but was suspended within two months. Then there was VK Jain, who was appointed for a single day as an EO.
“This kind of transfers will affect the development work of the area as the new executive officer will have to start the work from a scratch,” says one of the MC officials.
Fire sub-station, library at Zirakpur soon Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, September 25 The Zirakpur Municipal Council will set up a library, a senior citizen hall, a health club and a fire sub-station in Zirakpur to give better facilities to residents of the area.
According to MC sources, the long-pending demands of a library and a senior citizen hall by residents will be fulfilled shortly. The site for the library will be finalised soon where a three-storey building will be constructed. The ground floor will be given to fire sub-station, first floor to library and second floor to health club. A fire tender from Dera Bassi will be placed at the building.
MC officials stated that the authorities had seen some vacant land for the library and the site would be final after discussion with the local administration. After that, the matter would be put up at the coming MC meeting.
The authorities were also planning to construct a senior citizen hall where they would hold their social gatherings and monthly meetings. The MC team had visited Lohgarh village to identify the site. The MC has also sanctioned Rs 5 lakh for senior citizen hall, sources said.
Zirakpur, August 30 The Zirakpur Municipal Council is going to launch its website. The website will provide information about council’s working, details of MC records, various new projects and general public information.
The details of all wards, municipal councillors with their contact numbers will also be available on the website.
Sources in the MC said a proposal in this regard would be tabled in the coming MC-meeting after seeking approval of the higher authorities. The website address being considered was www.mczirakpur.com. The sources said the website would help NRIs who were living aboard and having properties in Zirakpur, they would get information about their properties. They would be able to check the status of their lands in Zirakpur through data provided by the MC on the site.
Information about new housing projects, commercial projects, hotels and multiplexes in Zirakpur would also be available.
To have the public interface, the MC officials were contemplating to extend to the residents the facility to submit their complaints regarding roads, public health, sanitation and any other problem through various hyperlinks, sources added.
Zirakpur executive officer Sukhjinder Singh Sidhu said: “We are planning to launch the website to make people friendly with the MC.”
Cheeni Kum Is calorie count keeping you away from goodies? Here’s a sugar free break for your sweet tooth Rajiv Bhatia
Cheeni Kum… If you think that’s sweet, here is something for you to savour. Calorie-conscious or diabetic, if you have a sweet tooth then all you need to do is to head to the arcades and pick on a sugar free delight.
On the shelves is sugar free stuff that promises to take the bitterness away from your daily existence. The products cater to people who want to consume sugar in limited amounts due to the apprehension of putting on weight or other health reasons. Well, sugar free goods have been there in the market for quite some time, but the variety was limited. It was, rather reserved only for the diabetics and the serious dieters. But now it is a ‘satisfying substitute’ for almost all your favorite desserts and snacks.
The fad is really catching up. Special counters in the city, offering a wide selection of tasty sugar free food is a testimony to this effect. You can pick up more and more novel and exciting items like sugar free biscuits, jams, juices, cereal, imported chocolates, flour, ice creams and even chocolate syrup for desserts. To top it all, you have big brand names like Amul and Britannia providing you sugar free delight.
Liquor lovers too have a reason to cheer. For there is Diet mate whisky and even vodka that promises to add fizz of good health to your life. The products are being billed as cholesterol and obesity control stuff.
And if you are having doubts about the sugar less sugary products, listen to some of the storeowners. “For good health you need light and healthy food,” says Venus, working as manager at Whole foods in Sector 8.
She says, “ We have sugar free soya milk and powder. For diabetic patients we are offering special flour and rusk.” Subash Gulati, owner of Empire Store in Sector 17, says, “Sugar free foods is quite popular among girls and other health conscious people”.
Elaborating, he says,” They want to look slim and beautiful. For them, we have sugar free cereals and crunchy muesli for breakfast, along with jams in strawberry, pineapple, black current and orange flavour. You can even ask for fruit mix and morello cherry.”
Kewal Store in Sector 9 also has an impressive selection of delectable sugar free cookies, candies, juices, ice creams and chocolate syrups. Rajiv Suri, owner of Kewal store says, “Nowadays city residents are living a sugar free lifestyle”. He says,” We have sugar free baking and cooking powder which is much in demand.”
Also, on offer are sugar free ice creams including vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. You can get a 500ml brick for just Rs 60. You can also get sugar free juices from Real Active in different flavours like apple, orange and fruit soya.
And what about the champions of sugar free stuff. What do they have to say? “Switching over to a sugar-free lifestyle can be tough,” says Parul Sehgal, a resident of Sector 47. “My mom is a diabetic patient. So I cook sugar free food at our home. But that’s not the only reason. I am also health conscious and prefer sugar free food items”. Well folks, it’s time to live life like sugar and get dissolve in everyone’s heart.
Picture Perfect The city has emerged as ‘the destination’ for Bollywood film-makers Rajiv Bhatia
Lights! Camera! Action! Chandigarh is dazzling under the arc-lights with stars from the tinsel world descending on the city’s horizon.
Few years ago, hardly anybody who is somebody in Bollywood would come come to the city. Films were shot in and around Chandigarh, but mostly Punjabi films. But now the picture is fast changing. Thanks to the metropolitan character and culture of the city.
In fact, the city is fast becoming the centre of attraction, not just for the local and foreign tourists, but also for Bollywood’s famed directors and producers.
Almost every three months, a movie is being shot in Chandigarh and its surrounding areas. And the trend has been going on since 2004. The past few years had seen big banner movies to small budget one being shot here.
In 2004, Veer Zaara, a super-hit film, was shot in 14 different locations here. It was a delight for the movie buffs as it had brought actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bacchan, Hema Malini and Rani Mukherjee to the city.
After this, another multi-star brought a flood of Hindi and Punjabi film stars and crew that included Dharamendra, Bobby Deol, Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor and Lara Dutta.
The other Hindi films shot here included Dosti, Shortcut, Apne, Jane Bhi Do Yarro, Naamste London and recently The Party. In the Punjabi film category, one saw movies like Desh Hoya Pradesh, Yarra Nal Bahara, Pind Di Kudi, Dil Apna Punjabi, Mannat and Rab Ne Baniyaan Joriyaan being shot here.
“The trend is providing great opportunities for Chandigarh-based artistes,” says Sunil Babbar, well-known director, who has launched countless local artistes in his films.
In his latest commercial film The Party, nearly 60 local artistes took part.
Agreeing with him, child artist Pragati Trikha says: “Chandigarh is well-designed and has so many places to offer for shooting.” A student of Class VI in Sacred Heart School, Sector 26, she has already acted in the company of top film stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Priety Zinta, Bobby Deol, Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Lara Dutta and Rani Mukherjee. She has also played the role of a schoolgirl in Veer Zaara.
Talking over the phone actor Jatin Garewal who is based in Mumbai now, says: “The drift will further encourage the setting up of acting schools and theatre academy. In the process, it will become easy for directors and producers to hunt for talent.”
The city’s importance as the shooting destination can also be gauged from the fact that Bollywood actor Anupam Kher is setting up an acting institute in the city. In fact, Yash Chopra, Chairman of the Chandigarh Advisory Tourism Forum, had suggested the setting up of such an institute.
Besides this, film city project has been envisaged to attract film crews and will have a multi-media park of the international standard. The Chandigarh Administration officials agree that there is indeed a need for such a project as film units are increasingly picking as their destinations.
DJ Sanj, renowned disc jockey from UK, is performing in the city at Disc X-over. Just in case you are not so familiar with his name, he has hit numbers like Kehre pind di tu ni and Block party to his credit. Known for his remixes in Bollywood and Bhangra music, he has more than 10 CDs to his name. His upcoming albums are Apna Punjab and American Desi.
How did you enter music production?
It began as a hobby and is now a profession. I love to make music. Even while I am travelling, if I hear something new, I work on it.
What’s new in music in clubs and discothèques?
Music, which makes people dance is in. I always play new music in every party. Bhangra rocks everywhere, it is the same whether I am playing inUK, Thailand or India.
What do you think about the party culture in the city?
So far, I have been here five or six times. I love to play here because the people are awesome.
While playing music what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
I enjoy playing music that makes people dance that’s why my music is lively. Also, I feel great to be a DJ. You don’t need to be the best turn tablist. You just need to be the best entertainer. Play for the party people, not for yourself.
What about family support?
It’s great to have a family that supports my addiction and passion for work. I try to make a balance between work and family.
A Ludhiana man may have purchased a mobile number for Rs 15 lakh,but city residents are not far behind
Not long ago, mobile sets were a reflection of your opulent lifestyle. If you had an expensive one, you were known to be smart among your pals. But with luxurious and high-tech sets practically coming a dime a dozen, premium mobile numbers are the new status symbols and have made it to the most sought-after list.
That service providers are auctioning mobile numbers is testimony to this. Well, it may not exactly sound music to your ears, but the fact is that the youngsters are spending huge amounts for getting these numbers. The hammer went down this Thursday, after a Ludhiana resident offered as much as Rs 15.50 lakh for unique number — 9780000000.
The mobile operators assert that they resort to the process of auction when multiple subscribers demand one number. Otherwise, the premium numbers come with fixed price tags. Depending upon the popularity of the number, you may have to pay anywhere between Rs 2,500 and Rs 10,000.
Elaborating upon the classification of numbers, an employee of a telecom company chips in, “The numbers are divided into five categories namely Penta, Hexa, Gold, Super Gold and Silver. In the Penta category, last five digits are the same. Similarly, in Hexa category, the last six digits are the same.”
The employee says mobile numbers with digits that repeat themselves are the latest scream. Quoting an example, the employee says people prefer numbers like 94820-94820. They are also going in for numbers like 007, 143 and 786 to match their date of birth, car or bike numbers.
The fact that more and more people are nowadays willing to change their mobile numbers has also encouraged the concept. In fact, some of the subscribers change their mobile numbers as often as they replace their sets in an attempt to get hold of something better.
Good, but who are the buyers and how do they explain spending huge amounts on the numbers. Well, they are mostly businessmen and youngsters. And just like good clothes and cars, they do not hesitate in calling up style by buying good numbers.
“If you wear branded clothes, drive a luxury car and using a high-tech mobile, then why can’t you go in for a unique mobile number that suits your personality” says Gaurav Johri, a local young businessman.
Johri says he spent as much as Rs 10,000 to buy golden numbers. “My mobile number now contains four ones in a row. It also matches my factory address and my car’s registration number. It’s easier to remember and makes me feel real proud.” Guys, there is drawback also. You keep on getting crank calls from guys who believe in dialing ‘convenient numbers at random.’
Tresses tumbling down to the shoulders set the mood for winter festivity. Global contrasts and streaks are back in vogue, reports Rajiv Bhatia
BEAUTY BUSINESS: Ishani Khan with beauty expert Blossom Kochchar
What is the way to wear the hair this festive season? “Go for tantalizing long tresses that tumble down to the shoulders” The trendy hairstyle cue comes from the city-based hairstylist cum make-up artist, Ishani Khan. Born in Sri Lanka, married in India, Khan has been selected for hair show to be held in Singapore next month. She will represent India with other selected hairstylists from different parts of the country. She’s already won OMC Hair Asia Pacific award in bridal, fantasy, and evening hairstyle category. The contest was held at Mumbai in October 2005.
Talking about the latest in hairstyles and colours, she informs, “Medium or slop cut, you can even go in for long hair provided they tumble down to the shoulders. Spiky and gel back look are also in. For office-goers, it is side and simple cut. As far as colours are concerned, global contrasts and streaks are in vogue.” She suggests to youngsters: A new hairstyle is the easiest way to change your looks. Don’t be nervous to try out a hairdo that you feel would suit you.
Having begun work at Oleega Sector-9, Chandigarh, five years ago with her husband Arshad Khan, she now has her own salon in Fun Republic from last two years. She completed her diploma from Delhi-based International Institute Pivot point. She loves listening to music, playing the piano, and going for long drives in her car. And this lady dreams big, desiring to run a big salon chain in the country.
When asked, if she was not a hairstylist, what would she be doing? Ishani replies: “I would be in Air Force in Sri Lanka”. Her hard work and dedication in work is the secret of her success, she says. “I can work for 10 to 10 in a day.” She also loves to experiment with her work.
Fine, but what’s different in Indian and international hairstyles? She says, In India, people want a hairstyle according to their profession and age. They believe in old Indian culture and don’t change their looks often. But abroad, people like funky, bold and creative-type of hairstyles and there is no age bar in hairstyles.
Musing about the life, she says, “I’m living a second life. Last month, when I was coming from Delhi in my car, it fell down from a bridge near Ambala and the vehicle was totally crushed. But I did not sustain even a single scratch. Maybe, God wanted me to live and do some more good work,” laughs the hairstylist.
God made some perfect heads & on the rest he put hair to hide his mistakes. Whether you are bald by destiny or choice, celebrate!
Law student Archit Watts
Bald is beautiful. And it’s not just Yul Brynner of King and I fame that we are talking about. Look around and you will find that the guy-next-door too has shaved off his hair to look glamorous (if you can use the term for men!).
Oh yes, going bald is the latest fad. And, it has hit men in the age group of 20 and 35. No need to scratch your head to figure out the reasons. Ask city-based hair stylist Ishani Nanayakkara, and she will tell you all about it. Nowadays, a man’s personality is judged not just by the way he carries himself, but also by the hairstyle — or no hairstyle — he sports. So, just to look suave and swanky among their pals, they go for unique styles. And what’s better than a shining bald head to reflect their bindaas attitude.
Hospitality professional Ajay Tandon
“Well, getting tonsured makes their personality totally different,” she says. “Another thing guys! You can easily forget about all your worries of losing hair and flaunt your bad luck as your style statement. And then, the style hardly needs any care, it’s totally freewheeling.”
Archit Watts, a student leader and law student, turned bald to make his identity unique among his pals. He observed, “Going bald helps me grab attention of the crowd. It’s an innovative style to present oneself.”
Ajay Tandon, banquet operations, at Hotel Mountview, couldn’t agree more. He shaved off his head almost two years ago when his hair started thinning and has been happy ever since. “It lends a new identity and makes you distinct,” he tells. A weekly head massage and voila, the pate’s all shiny and healthy, he says.
Ravi Kumar, a hairdresser with Matrix-15, has an interesting tale to tell. “A few years ago, men would shave off their hair if they had a persistent dandruff problem or any other ailment. But now, it’s a matter of preference. Boys and men of all ages, with or without hear, want their heads shaved off.”
And what about guys sporting the new look? “A bald head makes you look sleek and younger,” says Raghav, a Panjab University student. “Shave your head and knock off 10 years!”
Okay, any tips? Well, city-based hairstylist Rajinder has something to say: “A new hairstyle is the best way to change your looks. So do not be nervous and try out that unique hairdo. Just remember hair grows back and the change is permanent. And in the end, do not forget a baldhead symbolises wealth and wisdom! Are you game?
DIVINE CALL: Devinder Kumar has been playing the role of goddes Sita, a woman both eternal and divine, for the past 16 years.
He was inspired by Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana. The role of Sita, played by Dipika, in particular fascinated him. So impressed was he that he started to imagine himself to be a part of the Ramayana unit. Today, he leaves behind his entire work to play her part on the stage.
Meet Devinder Kumar. He has been playing the role of Sita in Ramlila for the past 16 years. He started his career by playing the role in the great Indian epic staged by the OCF Sanskrit Manch at the tender age of 15. The stage has shifted. These days it is the Ramlila organised by Sector 7 Nav Yug Ramlila Committee.
Working as salesman with Bansal Auto Zone in Sector 28 here, Devinder plays the role of husband and good father off-stage, but he just cannot wait for the Ramlilas to begin so that he can display his real flair once again.
“People react differently to the reality that I play Sita’s part,” he says. “Some look up to me with awe, others think it’s weird, but I am happy my family cooperates with me in playing this role. In fact, my children enjoy to a watch me on stage when I am playing the role of Sita.”
Well things are not very easy for him. Before the beginning of Ramlila he has to borrow his wife’s sari and buy cosmetics and other stuff for makeup. “I don’t feel shy at all in buying cosmetic and other things like lipstick, bindi, bangles and hair wig. For, it’s all for pious purposes,” he says.
Talking about the role, Devinder says, “Playing the role of opposite sex was challenging. Initially, I found it difficult, but now I get out of the male mentality and start feelings like a woman to give my best and do justice to the role. When I am playing this role, I never feel awkward”.
Garbage lies scattered under the Zirakpur flyover. A Tribune photograph
Zirakpur, July 6 The vacant space under the multi-crore flyover at Zirakpur has turned into a dumping ground.
Beneath the flyover, heaps of garbage present an unhealthy picture to the visitors. The Zirakpur flyover became operational more than six months ago, giving a big relief to the people from traffic jams, but the garbage accumulating beneath the flyover has virtually converted the entire area into a massive open-air dustbin. Even encroachments can be witnessed under the flyover.
Residents of the area say with the garbage strewn under the flyover, it is difficult to cross the road. They allege that the authorities concerned do not bother to take steps to clean up the mess. They have demanded the area under the flyover should be maintained properly and converted into green belt.
A survey of the area reveals that various kind of rehris, rickshaws, commercial vehicles and horse wagon are parked under the flyover. Though the National Highway authorities have categorically stated on the pillars of the flyover that it is a property of the National Highway and any kind of encroachment, pasting any banner or parking vehicles are strictly prohibited, advertisement posters are also pasted on the pillars of the flyover.
Ravi Dhaliwal, a resident of Zirakpur, says, “It is difficult to walk along the road, as the garbage was dumped everywhere and smelling foul. We are demanding from the authorities to clean the area and convert it into a green park.”
Sources in GMR, the company undertaking maintenance of the Ambala-Chandigarh highway, say, “We are cleaning the space regularly, but next day the place is again filled up with garbage.” Despite their strict instructions to shopkeepers not to throw garbage under the flyover, the latter are using the space as a garbage dumping place, sources add.
Sources further add that they had taken up the issue to the Zirakpur Municipal Council but nothing has been done so far.
GMR officials say, “We will strictly raise this issue with the Municipal Council and ask them to cooperate with us for solving this problem.”
Zirakpur, June 13 Driving without helmet and triple riding have become the order of the day in Zirakpur as the traffic cops are more interested in intercepting outstation vehicles.
Despite presence of cops at major junctions, there is no traffic management. No one has bothered to make the traffic signals functional at the Panchkula intersection, the Patiala intersection and the Chhat village link road.
A survey of the area reveals that traffic cops are either seen standing in groups, talking on mobile phones or harassing the outsiders. Auto-rickshaws and rickshaws are often parked on the roadsides posing a difficulty on the congested road.
They are hardly bothered to carry out their duty and can be seen struggling to control the traffic only on VIP duty. A senior citizen, Prem Singh Thakur, said, “There are no rules and regulations for youths who are riding motorcycles rashly and without wearing helmets.”
Mohit Kumar, a resident of Zirakpur, said, “Whenever I am going to Chandigarh, traffic cops in Zirakpur generally stop me because my car bears Delhi registration number. Even if I tell them that I am a resident of Zirakpur they harass me.”
Rajan Khurana, a shopkeeper near the railway track, said, “I have never seen any traffic policeman near the railway track.”
Ironically, though the district administration has banned the stoppage of vehicles on the Zirakpur-Dera Bassi Highway, buses are parked on the road. However, DSP (traffic) Hardevinder Singh said, “We are challaning the traffic violators and traffic cops are deployed on various points to keep an eye on violators.
Zirakpur, February 21 The Zirakpur Municipal Council is planning to build foot overbridges at different places to provide free movement to pedestrians in Zirakpur. The proposal has been mooted after the Zirakpur Municipal Council realised that with the construction of Zirakpur flyover and under construction four-laning of the highway, little space was left for the movement of the pedestrians and number of accidents involving the pedestrians has been reportedly increased in the past few months.
The proposal had been sent for an NOC to the NHAI for clearance after which the next step would be taken, officials said.
However, officials stated that a private company was to be appointed to design and draw up the bridges, for which tender would be called after getting the NOC from the NHAI.
According to official sources, the move has been planned after the residents demanded for foot overbridge on some major roads where the traffic volume is high. After the officials of the areas conducted the survey where large number of pedestrians used to cross the road daily, the Zirakpur-Panchkula road was provisionally identified for putting up a foot overbridge. Among the other areas considered for putting up the similar bridges were near the Choice Resort road to cross the highway on the Chandigarh road, near Dashmesh Colony and AKS Colony on the Patiala road and one on the Ambala road with better location.
However, officials stated that the feasibility of putting up the structures in different parts of the city would be finally analysed by the consultant to be appointed. The consultant would assess the vehicular traffic volume in different parts of the city and the pedestrian rush to identify the requirements for the foot overbridges.
Bus stand a distant dream for Zirakpur Rajiv Bhatia
Zirakpur, November 17 In the absence of a proper bus-stand in Zirakpur, passengers travelling to and fro the city are harassed.
Since there is no designated place for people to wait for buses, those wanting to leave the township do not know where to look for buses. Similarly, those who change buses here are left on the road in the middle of nowhere.
Passengers claim that since there is no single point where buses have to stop and disembark passengers, the bus drivers end up stopping at the place most convenient to them. Passengers have to, as a result, walk long distances to find another transport. These “unauthorised” bus stops also lead to traffic jams.
The authorities have turned a blind eye to this situation.
“Bus stand is a dream for Zirakpur,” says Supinder Singh, a resident of the town. He adds that the government is doing nothing to solve the problem. “After becoming a part of Mohali district, we hoped for extensive development, at least a proper bus-stand, but nothing happened,” he further says.
“There are no rules and regulations for bus drivers. They drop passengers on the flyover,” says Shailja, a resident of Kalka. She adds: “I told a bus driver to take the bus from beneath the flyover, but he did not listen to anything and dropped me and my family on the flyover. From there, I had to hire an auto-rickshaw who charged me double price. Then, I had to board another bus for Kalka from Zirakpur-Kalka Highway.”
Derabassi SDM Sohan Lal Bhumbak says: “I know about the problem of bus stand. It will be solved as soon as possible.”
“I will talk to senior authorities. Bus stand must be built at an approachable place, where all passengers get all facilities,” SDM adds.
Zirakpur, May 9 Even though Zirakpur skyline has undergone a colossal change over the past couple of years with multi-storied residential complexes and shopping malls coming up on farms lands, fire-fighting facilities have failed to develop proportionately.
The township once known for just marriage palaces is now on the country’s tourism map with hotels malls and multiplexes. Even the area under residential complexes has greatly increased.
In all, around 150 colonies and 13 villages are under the Zirakpur MC. Yet, the authority concerned has so far done little for the setting up of a fire station. As of now, fire tenders from Panchkula and Derabassi are summoned in case of blazing inferno.
In the process, firemen fail to reach the spot within the specified response time of five minutes. Rather, they take about half an hour to reach the spot.
According to sources, the situation is worsened by the fact that the tenders from Panchkula and Dera Bassi have to find their way through the traffic mess. All this results in wastage of time.
Construction work of flyover on National Highway and four laning of roads are basic reasons for the fire tenders to get late because they are caught in heavy rush of traffic.” Sources add: In Derabassi fire station, there are only few water tanks, which do not carry enough water to deal with major fires. The manpower too is inadequate.
Last month, the office of property dealer in Kalgidhar Enclave was gutted. Electronic items and important documents were destroyed. In that incident, a fire tender reached there after half an hour. It took a single tender over three hours to control the fire.
“So many fire incidents are witnessed, but concerned authorities do not take it seriously”, alleges Arvind Kumar, a resident of Zirakpur. He adds: The department should turn active to fight with increasing problems.
According to executive officer of MC R.K. Mittal, “The resolution has moved for government approval. We are waiting for reply”. He said in case of fire, we could take help from Mohali fire station.
Cheeni Kum… If you think that’s sweet, here is something for you to savour. Calorie-conscious or diabetic, if you have a sweet tooth then all you need to do is to head to the arcades and pick on a sugar free delight. 
Lights! Camera! Action! Chandigarh is dazzling under the arc-lights with stars from the tinsel world descending on the city’s horizon.
In 2004, Veer Zaara, a super-hit film, was shot in 14 different locations here. It was a delight for the movie buffs as it had brought actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bacchan, Hema Malini and Rani Mukherjee to the city. 
