For us Chandigarhians, the Sukhna Lake is eternally engraved in our memories as a place of undying serenity enveloped in a blanket of pure fun. It’s our badge of honour for belonging to a city as beautiful as this one. It’s a mark of pride. It’s also our go-to picnic spot. More than anything, it’s our childhood wrapped in one long curving road. It’s the spot where artists, musicians, performers go to gain inspiration for their works. It’s also the spot where fishermen, hawkers, and daily wage workers earn their living. The tranquil beauty of the calm waters, the verdant foliage, and the sweet music of the birds hold many a secret that we’re unaware of. Here’s a look at some common facts about Sukhna Lake that you may have been unaware of.

A Man-made Lake of Epic Proportions
Did you know that this meeting point of lovers, birds, and foliage is no naturally occurring water body? The very man that we honour for giving us the most planned city in the country, the esteemed Le Corbusier, is also the one who envisioned and planned for the construction of our beloved Sukhna Lake. The Sukhna Choe was a light seasonal stream that flowed down from the Shivalik Hills every year. In 1958, Corbusier had a dam built around the Choe in order to create the Sukhna Lake. As of today, the lake expands over an area of 3 km2. It is found to be at a depth of 16 feet at the deepest point while the shallowest point remains 8 feet deep.

The Silt Problem
In the initial years of the lake’s construction, the Sukhna Choe would flow directly through the lake at seasonal intervals. This led to the formation of heavy silt deposits in and around the lake. As a remedy, Corbusier put 25.42 km2 of catchment area under vegetation to check the inflow of silt. In 1974, the Choe itself was redirected in such a manner that it avoided the lake entirely, so that the entry of silt into the lake is minimized. Due to siltation, the lake has today been reduced to 56% of its original volume. Every summer, throngs of Chandigarhians – old & young – flock to the lake to offer voluntary service, or shramdaan, in the desilting of the lake bed.

Landmark Year, 1988
The 80s witnessed widespread concern over the decline of the lake’s water levels and saw active involvement of Chandigarh residents in the restoration of the lake. In the summer of 1988, renowned satirist and actor Jaspal Bhatti landed up at the dry bed of the lake with his Nonsense Club members to play cricket. This symbolic act brought much needed attention to the Sukhna crisis.

Thus, in 1988, the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India, officially proclaimed the Sukhna region as a land of high priority for conservation. It was subsequently recognised as a ‘National Wetland’ that required immediate attention. Soon after, the Shramdaan Programme was initiated. Chandigarh citizens proactively responded to Sukhna’s call to arms and the initiative turned out to be quite a success. Although the initiative has been carried out approximately every year since, the number of volunteers has drastically reduced, thus affecting the overall output of the cleaning drive.

Nature Trails in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary
In March 1998, the forested catchment area behind the lake, at the foothills of the Shivalik range, was officially recognized as a protected wildlife sanctuary for preservation and conservation of the naturally occurring flora and fauna of the region. The large scale afforestation and soil conservation measures taken up after 1998 have resulted in a gradual regeneration of forest cover in the catchment area. The region has also witnessed a re-entry of flora and fauna into the preserved forest. The sanctuary is now home to the sambar deer, the barking deer, the nilgai, the chital, sloths, leopards, golden jackals, civets, mongoose, wild cats, and a large variety of avian fauna and reptiles, in addition to a wide variety of trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, and climbers.

To promote ecotourism and to educate the masses about the rich floral and faunal heritage of the Sanctuary, the Department of Forests & Wildlife, Chandigarh Administration, has created ‘Nature Trails’ throughout the length and breadth of the sanctuary. These nature trails pass through the woods and water bodies and hill slopes, the gradient varying from gentle to steep.

Food is the most cherished part of any Delhiites life and why shouldn’t it be for ‘There’s no sincerer love than the love of food’. Delhi has been getting blessed with some of the best food festivals happening in the country for the last five years. With themes ranging from quintessential Indian Street Food Festival bringing you the great Indian Chaat, more often than not with a twist, to the Asian Street Hawkers market displaying the best of Asian cuisine.
If you’re a foodie and need to indulge in some self-love, here’s five amazing culinary events taking place in your city in the coming weeks! Delve right in and find your place to be this foodie season!

The Grub Fest
When – October 14 to 16
Where – Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium
Nearest Metro Station – Ten minute walk from JLN, Violet Line
The Grub Fest is the most anticipated food event of the season with some of the best restaurants in the city getting you their brilliant signature dishes and more. The venue is the open, lush gardens of JLN Stadium and some lovely music performances. Follow their Facebook and Instagram handles for regular updates!

Asian Hawkers Market
When – October 13 to 15
Where – Select City Walk, Saket
Nearest Metro Station – Saket, Yellow Line

One of the most underrated cuisines here in India is the Asian (excluding of course Chinese). Using some of the most exotic flavours and an array of spices, the stalls here serve you the scrumptious best of Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese cuisines. The ambience is perfected with music gigs and a little flea market. Be sure to try out the myriad of momos – a proven lifeline of Delhiites and the delectable Vietnamese Chicken Satay there.

Ambrosia by Rendevouz-IIT Delhi
When – October 13-16
Where – Nalanda Grounds, IIT Delhi
Nearest Metro Station – Hauz Khas on Yellow Line, Shared Auto Rides from the station for 10/Head to IIT

Ambrosia is a food event created and curated by the students of Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi. The  yearly event is a four day affair that starts as early as 4 in the morning! Yep, you read that right. Head over there for fun outing with your friends and feast on some divine food and participate in brilliant activities like the Ultimate Cook Off!

Horn Ok Please – Food Truck Fest
When – November 4
Where – Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium
Nearest Metro Station – JLN, Purple Line

The Horn OK Please Festival is essentially one of the only few Food Truck festivals happening in India. One place, brimming with amazing food trucks from over the country! A must go all barbeque fans.

Delhi Food Truck Festival
When – November 11-12
Where – JLN Stadium
Nearest Metro Station – JLN Stadium Metro Station, Violet Line

This one of a kind food truck festival is the ‘it’ event you need to check out. It’s a two day event displaying a myriad of fresh flavours, we’re sure you’ve never tasted before. It’s an out and out fast food event serving the best of Indian and International dishes. Enjoy lipsmacking Hot Dogs or American style pizzas or a million other things at this do with an amazing set up and hearty music.

Palate Food Festival
When – November 17-19
Where – Nehru Park
Nearest Metro Station – Lok Kalyan Marg, Yellow Line

The Palate Food festival presented by Lloyd is the ultimate high street fine dining event you will attend. A wonderful gathering of some of the greatest chefs, cooking their beloved signature dishes for you as an acoustic tune plays in the back. A gorgeous venue, decorated with ambient lights and of course the aromas of spices lingering in the air. The line up included Fat Lulus, Elma’s and many many more last year and it’s only going to get bigger and better this time around.

What – Jashn-e-Rekhta, Urdu Language Festival (Non Ticketed)
When – 8-10 December, 9am-9pm
Where – Major Dhyan Chand Stadium
Nearest Metro Station – Central Secretariat, Yellow Line
Register @ rekhta.org

With December begin the glorious year-end festivities and this time there’s one added festival some of us would be joyously taking part in. Jashn-e-Rekhta returns for its fourth edition on the 8th of December. Jashn-e-Rekhta, translates into ‘Celebration of Urdu’, Rekhta being the former, more poetic name of the Urdu language or the Khariboli. The beloved festival will span over two and a half days and take place in Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. The festival hosts distinguished poets, artists and writers who bring alive the magnificence of Urdu with their talks and panel discussions. The execution of the festival has been done by Rekhta Foundation since its inception in 2015. The foundation is a non-profit organization that was formed to promote the Urdu language and its literature. On the roster are panel discussions with dignitaries, the art of ‘Dastangoi’ or storytelling, heart rendering recitations of poetry and qawallis and the most fun ‘Bait-Baazi’ a form of antakshri but with Urdu poetry. Literature enthusiasts will find themselves hooked up in the Book Corner that displays the best of Urdu prose and poetry written over the last century. ‘Urdu Bazaar’ a wonderful presentation of handicrafts and antiquities from Old Delhi is just the place to be for collectors. Foodies will be more than glad to feast on with the authentic flavours of Kashmiri, Deccani, Hyderabadi, Lucknavi, Mughlai and Purani Dilli food at the food court completing the entire Urdu experience. Jashn has previously hosted greats of Urdu writing such as Gulzar, Javed Akhtar, Wasim Barelvi. The latest edition that was held this year only saw tributary performances by musician Vidya Shah and actor Danish Hussain for 20th century poets like Jigar Moradabadi, Sahir Ludhianvi, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Majaz Lakhnawi and Majrooh Sultanpuri. The footfall of the event increased by five times from 18000 in 2015 to almost 85000 in 2017 February. The ever growing popularity of the event stands testament to the popularity of the language and the culture in the national capital. Jashn-e-Rekhta is the place to be if you have a penchant for words woven together with magic and aesthetics that soothe the soul.

Those of us who grew up in Chandigarh are not unfamiliar with the red nose, smiling face, and funky clothes of a clown. Be it in the market, on a school fete, or at a friend’s birthday party, we’ve all encountered the happy demeanour of a clown. Now, how often did you actually stop to interact with this quirky little character? Are you aware that Chandigarh is also home to a world of amusing little clowns? They can be spotted every now and then in quaint little corners of the tricity, spreading cheer and joy with those around them. Here’s a look at some instances when these comic characters were seen out and about amidst the rest of us.

Red Nose Day @ Sector 17
On April 4, 2017, all the clowns in town stepped into the bright evening sun to celebrate Red Nose Day at the Sector 17 Plaza. Individuals from various backgrounds, including artists and non-artists, performed short sketches wearing red noses and dressed as clowns, to the Sector 17 audience that gathered around. Interactions between performers and onlookers made it possible for all present there to indulge in the frolickery of Red Nose Day. This international day of giggles and laughter is celebrated the world over at different times of the year, each country celebrating it in their unique way. In Chandigarh, a clowning workshop was facilitated by Stavros Kerellos, Asmaa Hassan, and Marwa Haiba of HsHs Clowns, Egypt, in collaboration with Chandigarh’s own Purple Mangoes and CEVA Drama Repertory Company. The outcome of this workshop then became the April spectacle in Sector 17.

Atkal Pachchu @ Tagore Theatre
The art of clowning in Chandigarh is not limited to a one-off public act, but is a constant and firm presence in Chandi’s theatre circuit. Directed by clowning veteran Sukhmani Kohli, the play Atkal Pachchu was staged at the time-honoured auditorium, Tagore Theatre, in February this year. The title of the play loosely translates to ‘randomly imagined’, a phrase that puts into words exactly how clowns lead their lives. The plot presents to us the clown Buggi and his first ever visit to Earth in his spaceship-cum-washing machine. He meets other clowns on Earth who are kind enough to help him out. In the process of exploring the planet, Buggi finds himself engaged in a series of comic occurrences, thus presenting our world to us through a humorous and farcical lens.

CEVA @ GMSH, Sector 16
Chandigarh based NGO Center for Education and Voluntary Action (CEVA) took to hospitals and destitute homes back in 2016 to spread the joy and wonder of clowning amongst ailing patients and children. The clowning sessions were inspired by the need to facilitate a patient’s healing process by giving them a healthy, happy, and cheerful environment. The programme was launched at the orthopedic ward of the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital in Sector 16, and spread from there on. Hospitals are generally drab and dry places to be at, let alone live in for days at a stretch. The splashes of colour and merriment that these clowning sessions bring to the dull corridors are known to help children and older patients adapt to and deal with a painful medical environment.

Romeo, Juliet and Seven Clowns @ Tagore Theatre
This clown play had audiences gripping their seats through multiple shows at Tagore Theatre back in 2012 and 2013. Devised and performed by actors of Purple Mangoes and CEVA Drama Repertory Company, the play took us on a journey of love along with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, to find our inner clown through them. Additionally, an ensemble cast of the seven clowns became the agents of love, but from a clown’s perspective. The play also made use of Baba Bulleh Shah’s poetry to explore this conundrum of clownery and love and present to us the curious mixture of flavours that is called life.

There we have it! There is bold proof of the underground activities of clowns in and around Chandigarh. All that’s left is to tune into their frequency and tap into their minds to know when they’ll be spotted and in which part of this city beautiful. If you feel a magnetic pull of uninhibited gaiety and unabashed frivolity, you’ll know it’s the call of the clowns. Be sure to not miss the fun!

Chandigarh popularly known as one of the peaceful and beautiful place in India is now turning out to be the most happening destination. With series of events taking place in the City Beautiful, the denizens have lots to relish and cheer about on every weekend. Lately, Times Wardrobe Story, the baby of Times of India has been the talk of the town. The two day affair took place at the Lalit, Chandigarh- an ideal ambience for such fashion-cum-lifestyle events.

TWS was a much anticipated event for the shopaholics with more than 50 designers from different states and home showcasing their collection. Some of the renowned and top listed designers attracted the eye balls of the fashion lovers with their rare and unique display. The exhibition focused mainly on the designer clothing (both western and traditional), accessories/ jewelry, luxury items, cosmetics and much more. With over 1500 people turning up on the first day of the event, the organizers: Times of India and The Fashion Boulevard celebrated the success of their unique idea of bringing all the fashionistas under one roof.

What a mesmerizing event: India’s finest talent was given a platform to surprise the audiences with their artistic capabilities and unmatched creativity. Every stall had a unique and spectacular collection to die for.

Designers who showcased their collection at TWS
Aaina by Meethi Brar, Aryans Jewlery, Begum block imprints by Ramneek Kaur, Crescent, Dressing Loft, Emballage, Ever Desi, Essence of Elegance by Babli Bedi, Fashionista, Glitters, Gunaaz’s Baby Earth, Guneeta Ghai, Inder Art & Deco, Inspired Livingg Jo Ann Thakkarwal, Jugni by Jyotika, Knack Kreations, Kumud Designs, Lushlush, Manisha’s creation, Meghan Marwah, Misthi’s Closet, Neet Noisyrock Kuttis, Noor Creations, ORA by Kaajal and Meena, Paprika, Pearly Gate, Pretty Pleasures, Preety Sidhu, Razaa Reina Design Studio, Rekhakriti, Renu Art, Rent A Closet, Ritu Kumar, Royal Tinge by SK, Sanam Tamanna, Shreeda Jewellery by Savita Bindal, Study by Janak (SBJ), Style Street Tahira, Talash by Indira Threads, Utkrishth Vaga Fashions (Dubai), Vintage Touch, Wow design studio by Sahiba, Zari by Anu and many more.
This event has undoubtedly raised many expectations. Such lifestyle events not only bring together the like-minded people, but also give them platform to create a strong network. With a stunning ending of this spectacular event, the Chandigarians will desperately wait for its second edition.