The food industry is making new leaps and bounds every single day and while we may not be aware of it, it’s happening all around us on a daily basis. The classics will always remain in the category of ‘all time favs’, but innovation is the key to successful enterprises and that’s exactly what Pirates of Grill is out to prove!

What : TacoMosa – Taco & Samosa Festival
When : Mar 8 – Mar 18, 2018 | 6.30PM – 11PM
Where: Pirates of Grill, Elante Mall

With each passing day, the world around us seems to be finding new modes of expression and creativity, inspiring a unique and original product out of this creativity. That’s exactly what happened with restaurateur Inderjeet Singh Banga and his team at Pirates of Grill. What they did is basically take two immensely popular street food items from different parts of the world, i.e. India and Mexico, and combined them to form a new flavour that inspired a host of dishes around the idea. This idea has now turned into a food festival and it’s travelling across different cities, so that more and more people get in on the buzz.

Tacos and samosas – who would’ve thought? And yet, here is an ongoing 10 day food festival that combines the flavours of tacos and samosas to bring to you authentic and original dishes that don’t disappoint. On the menu are an assortment of items, starting with the Progressive Chaat Taco with Tamarind Elaichi Curd. Believe us when we say it’s a true amalgamation of chaat and tacos, with the crispiness of the taco doing wonders for the chaat flavour of the dish heightened by the curd.

Next you’ll find the Peanut Butter Tarkari with Homemade Bun. The words peanut butter and tarkari don’t seem to be going together, do they? But they do! We promise you this one’s going to be a hit with pav bhaji and/or burger fans. Also on offer are the Deconstructed Samosa with Aloo Basil Rasa and the Oriental Pepper Chicken with Indian Samosa Crust. Both dishes are wholly suffused with samosa flavours and the chef will especially recommend you to crush the crust and sprinkle it on top to get the maximum flavour out of these dishes. While one caters to the vegetarian palate, the other pampers non-veg lovers.

But the icing on the cake, well not literally or metaphorically, but simply in terms of dessert, there’s the Captains Dessert Treasure aka Chocolate Dipped Tacos with Banana Caramel and Vanilla Cream. It comes in a small little cup with an equally cute spoon to eat it with. But don’t let the word small misguide you. The helping is plentiful and satiating enough to delight anybody with a sweet tooth.

The biggest plus? Helpings are unlimited, so you can order as many as you like. Now if that’s not tempting enough to make you drop everything and head over to Pirates of Grill, then what is?

This one’s for all you gardening lovers out there. And the ones who favour organic food over the chemical and pesticide ridden eatables sold in the markets these days. Here’s a chance to learn how to grow your plants and vegetables without the hassles of potting and planting!

What : Hydroponics Workshop
When : Mar 10, 2018 | 12:30 PM
Where: Nayagaon, Chandigarh

Hydroponics, to put it simply, is the method of growing plants in a water based solution that is rich with nutrients. This practice is different from growing plants in soil because it uses mineral solutions to feed the plants in water, instead of using soil. The added advantage of growing plants by this arrangement is that it produces fresh, dirt free, chemical free, natural food.

So, Pindfresh, decided to hold a few open workshops on hydroponic farming. The idea is to show people how the hydroponic arrangement is fixed up and how it works. The folks at Pindfresh themselves grow and consume the fresh produce of hydroponic farming and want to get a conversation going about the need for adopting this method of farming for both, economic and environmental purposes.

The best thing about hydroponics is that you can simply do it in your kitchen! The workshop gives you access to Pindfresh’s in-house hydroponic systems (or hydroponic farms as some might call it) and educates you about the process of growing produce by this method. You can learn how to set one up in your own house and they are more than happy to tell you how to effectively utilise the systems.

The best part? It’s no rocket science and it looks good! You simply have to place plants into long tubes filled with nutrient-based water solution and take the necessary steps which will ensure that the plant grows properly. It can be set up in a , kitchen, living room, bedroom, or wherever you want as long as it meets the basic demands of air, water and sunlight. Moreover, fresh oxygen fills your home, taking care of your health demands, giving you clean and breathable air.

For those of us who love to grow food at home, or are particular about what we eat, this is the thing to bank on! We need not be dependent on lack of space or healthy soil to grow our choice of food. Simply set up a hydroponic system and reap the fruits of what you hydroponically sow.

To register for the workshop, call +91 70873 12348
Or drop an email at contact@pindfresh.com with your details.

The women’s empowerment movement has been taking the whole world by a storm. While there is also a huge backlash that it has brought with it, here is a chance to get an insight into the mind of a ‘feminist’ and the good and bad associated with the feminist perspective, especially with context to the Punjabi readership.

What  : Book Discussion & Punjabi Translation – Seeing Like A Feminist
When : Mar 9, 2018 | 2PM – 5PM
Where: Govt. Museum & Art Gallery, Sector 10

The growing popularity of the “F” word, i.e. Feminism, has brought with it a growing disdain towards the women’s empowerment movement which simply asks for equal rights to education, job opportunities, and freedom of expression. The trickledown effect of the feminist movement has brought about some significant changes in today’s mindset of the general population. That is, each citizen recognises the need for banning female infanticide and the importance of initiatives such as ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’.

However, with the kind of independance that women are donning today, a lot of conservative minds out there are hailing the feminist movement as one that wants to squash the male population. In light of this attitude, and with the growing atrocities towards women that we hear of in the news every day, it becomes our duty as responsible citizens of the country to understand the finer nuances of what feminism really is and here is just the opportunity we need to do that.

Lokayat presents a discussion on the book Seeing Like A Feminist by Nivedita Menon and its Punjabi translation by Daljit Ami. Published jointly by Zubaan Publications and Penguin Books, Seeing Like A Feminist is an insightful book about living in a conservative society and the complications that come with it. From doubting your own beliefs to being burdened by the pressure of being ‘a good girl’, Nivedita Menon writes about the political implications of seeing the world through a woman’s eyes in a simple, yet thought provoking manner. With contemporary examples of the gender debate, such as the Burkha ban in France, the book questions the assumptions that society and law systems make towards women.

The book discussion will also have journalist, filmmaker, and translator Daljit Ami give his own insights about working with such a topic from a male perspective. Moreover, the implications of translating such a piece of writing into Punjabi and for a particularly Punjabi readership will be delved upon in detail. Chandigarh based Daljit Ami’s involvement with this book and his presence at the book discussion is an indicator of this event being more than just a haughty women’s discussion. Rather, it is the active debate and participation of both men and women that will bring about the kind of political insight that this book aims to provide. If you take contemporary politics seriously, this is one event to not be dismissed as just another women’s lib thing, for sure.

Delhi based fusion duo Shadow and Light are back in the tricity this weekend for their third album launch. While some of you may be familiar with their work, the rest still remain ignorant of the true potential of this band. They’re going to be the next big thing and here’s why you can’t afford to miss out on their upcoming performance.

What : Shadow and Light – 3rd Album Launch
When : Mar 8, 2018 | 9PM
Where : Upstairs Club, Sector 5, Panchkula

When you think of popular fusion bands, you think of names like Indian Ocean, Raghu Dixit Project, Advaita, Swarathma, and the like. These are all multiplayer bands and kudos to them for having carved a niche for themselves in a country that only follows either bollywood hits or pop hits of the west. But while they have had to slog over different styles and multiple instruments to achieve their desired result of a true fusion of the contemporary and classical, here is a duo that seems to be handling this creative burden with the ease of a classical maestro!

Born on a cold November afternoon in New Delhi, Shadow and Light have been creating a buzz in the indie music circuit for almost four years now. Yes, that’s not exactly newly born, but considering the lifespan of commercially successful bands and artists in India, four years is a fairly short period of time. These guys have achieved in four years what aspiring musicians take decades to do. The duo comprises of vocalist Pavitra Chari, trained under Shubha Mudgal, and keyboardist/producer Anindo Bose of Advaita fame. While their vibe remains contemporary and cinematic, the styles of music that permeate through their compositions are Hindustani classical, pop, jazz, and electronic.

Shadow and Light released its debut album in June 2014 and have since played innumerable festivals and venues across the country, including Friends of Music, Chandigarh Jazz Festival, DIY Festival, and Fete de la Musique. Awarded the 1st runners up of the Sennheiser Top 50 Competition in 2015, the duo have also had the opportunity to record with one of Bollywood’s top production studios, Flying Carpet Productions. Their second album, Elements, was released in February 2016 along with a music video for the song ‘Dua’ on Pepsi MTV Indies. Shadow and Light has also previously been invited to shoot with Kappa TV – a Malayalam specialty music television channel.

Having opened for the likes of Anoushka Shankar and Ranjit Barot, this duo have also had the chance to play their music with Karsh Kale in New York and Benny Dayal on the main stage at NH7 Weekender, Red Bull Studio Science and Mood Indigo (IIT Mumbai). With their third album launch at Upstairs Club this Thursday, the duo is bringing a new direction for fusion music in the country. It is exactly the kind of divergence you need from mainstream music and this is your chance to get on the bandwagon. Don’t miss out!

You’ll often see or hear about dog oriented events, cafes, festivals, and what not happening in the big cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi. But what about our puppers here in Chandigarh? They need love too. That’s why Doggizza and LaFeria Events got together to make their next pop-up truly dog friendly!

What : Doggievent @ LaFeria
When : Mar 10 – Mar 11, 2018 | 10AM onwards
Where : Chandigarh Club Ltd, Sector 1

We Chandigarhians love to go out, don’t we? Be it a movie, or a festival, or a small scale event happening at a nearby cafe, or even if it is to simply hang out with near and dear ones… we just need an excuse to step out of the house and indulge our cravings. But what about the little babies we leave at home? No, not the human babies – those are usually taken care of. We’re talking about our darling four-legged puppers sitting around all day waiting for us to come back and play with them.

If you’re a dog owner, then you know very well just how dependent our furry friends are on their human companions. Their day starts and ends with us playing with them, feeding them, and simply giving them the attention they crave for 24×7. In fact, there’s a research that says pet dogs constantly think of their owners even in their dreams! Now that’s a whole new level of dedication, don’t you think? And what do we do? We happily play with them and give them love when it suits us, and leave them to loiter around the house when it doesn’t. That’s just not fair.

So, Doggizza and LaFeria events decided to do something about this. They decided to open their next pop-up not just to humans but also to the furry companions. And it’s not the first time they’re doing it either. A similar experiment took place in September last year and proved to be such a hit that they want to do it again and again. All you have to do is bring your dog to the venue and leave your pet with them. While you go and have your own kind of fun, they will be immersed in their own world of fun.

Facilities on offer include vet services, pet spa, pet accessories, a dog bakery, pet trainers, a pool/ball party, and so much more! There’s also quirky little competitions going to held and complimentary gifts for lucky winners too! A one-of-its-kind fun and entertainment event only for dogs. We promise you, they’ll love you for it just as much as you love them for just being there, no?

If you’ve been frequenting the Panjab University campus in the last one week or so, you’re sure to have spotted NCC Cadets cycling all over the place like it was their sole aim in life. We have news for you – it’s all in preparation of the upcoming cycling expedition, Samavesh.

What  : Samavesh Cycling Expedition
When : Mar 10, 2018 | 7:30AM onwards
Where : Gandhi Bhawan, Panjab University

If you think about it, the cycle has been one of the oldest independent modes of transport in our country. From back when there were no cars and scooters, there were only bullock carts and the like. But the problem with those was that one had to be dependent on an animal to move the ‘vehicle’ from one place to another. And then came the cycle! Possibly one of the first means of transport where you needed no external source (except your own strength) to run it.

Even today, the cycle remains the only mode of conveyance that requires simple human force to move it, without the need for any additional resources such as that in cars, busses, etc. In spite of this, or perhaps because of it, cycling has today become more of an exercise regime and only a very small percentage of the population uses the cycle a transportation vehicle. Be that as it may, cycling will never go out of fashion. And for those who solely indulge in cycling for its fitness quotient, well, more power to them!

The National Cadet Corps of Panjab University are out to promote a similar attitude to cycling through Samavesh – a 15km cycling expedition. The expedition is open to any and everyone who wishes to participate in the expedition. Starting from Gandhi Bhawan inside the university campus, participants will ride up to Sukhna Lake and then back to the university. NCC cadets have been out and about promoting this expedition and spreading the message of health and fitness, through freeze mobs and cycle rallies. If marathons and fitness challenges aren’t your thing, then perhaps try this one out. What’s more, you’ll even be rewarded with a medal, a certificate, and some cool refreshments for it.

Fitness has become the latest trend in Chandigarh, what with marathons and health-centred events happening all over the tricity on an almost weekly basis. Here’s a one-stop event that brings together healthy-living and physical wellness for all those out there who are conscious about leading a proactive lifestyle.

What : Fitness Fest Chandigarh
When : Mar 8 – Mar 10, 2018
Where: New Lake, Sector 42

Online healthcare venture BioProNut has collaborated with Chandigarh Tourism, SwatiModo, and World Healthal Trust to bring about the Chandigarh Fitness Fest – a one stop platform for fitness freaks to understand and engage with the health and fitness industry – consumers and investors included – and gather insight into the range of services and goods available today. The motivation behind this initiative is to generate awareness, development, opportunity, and more for those who lead a healthy and active lifestyle.

Their aim is to Make India Fit and to promote fitness and health awareness across India by raising awareness of the health issues a lay man faces today due to significant changes in our lifestyles and the environment. In accordance with this objective, the three day long fitness fest will provide various awareness tools such as a free medical checkup and mass diagnosis, along with providing medical digitisation. Additionally, live fitness activities and sports will be conducted at the venue, with a focus on encouraging cross-culture fitness.

The thing about fitness is that there is no one way to approach it, and the organisers behind the Chandigarh Fitness Fest themselves recognise and endorse this opinion. Thus, activities at the fest will not only focus on athletic modes of fitness but also on dance forms and martial arts and meditative practices that bring about a healthy lifestyle. Workout sessions will include Zumba and Desi Bhangra, along with yoga camps, running challenges, and freestyle dance competitions. A Mixed Martial Arts show is also in store for those with a more rugged approach to fitness. The competitive kinds can partake in the exciting fitness challenges lined up.

Along with a medical health check up, the organisers have made provision for medical digitisation that allows you to avail discounts at various medical services online and at your doorstep. A free diagnosis camp and a cancer camp are also going to be present at the fest. The organisers have also made arrangements for a detailed and informative discussion on the importance of preventive healthcare and the need for health insurance to safeguard our survival in this increasingly unhealthy world.

The enthusiastic lot will have access to public interactions with bigtime fitness celebs to take inspiration from. Moreover, a fitness centric food fest is also in store for those looking to make a dietary change to their lifestyle. So head on over simply because it’s such a one-of-its kind fest, you may not have the opportunity to visit one again.

Amongst the torrent of latest movie releases running in the theatres today, most fade out within a few weeks despite their box office collection. Here is a special screening of a film released in March 2017 that remains as relevant today, despite its language disconnect.

What  : Shuddhi Special Screening
When : March 10, 2018 | 12 noon onwards
Where: Elante Mall

Sometimes a great film hits the theatres and we miss it for some reason or the other. Once off the theatres, the only medium left is to watch it on our personal screens, thus significantly altering the viewing experience. Don’t you wish you could get just one more chance to watch it on the big screen?

Yep, we all have the same answer to that question. That’s why Radical Frames and Elante Mall have collaborated to bring to us Shuddhi, a 2017 Kannada film that has managed to attract international attention. Written and directed by Adarsh Eshwarappa, Shuddhi revolves around three characters – an American photojournalist who travels to India, an Indian journalist and theatre activist who calls out the bluff of the Juvenile Justice Act, and a criminal on the run.

The film is a female-centric thriller, connecting the lives of its three protagonists, presented through an intricately woven screenplay. What stands out about the film is that it doesn’t become too over the top activist in nature but keeps the drama and thrill of the screenplay intact, clearly conveying the message that it wants to instead of preaching it. The narrative of the film meanders in and out of cultural experiences, mythological parallels, and the average citizen’s beliefs, stigmas, strengths, and weaknesses.

The three lead actresses do a fine job of portraying relatable characters who are driven not by some misplaced sense of activism, but by the need to bring about change just as much as the average citizen of the country, their gender notwithstanding. Though the film may not have found solutions to today’s women-centric problems, but it manages to give a true non-exaggerated picture of numerous situations that women have to deal with today.

Debutant director Adarsh Eshwarappa has managed to do in his first film what few are able to accomplish over decades of hit and trials – and that is to create an authentic cinematic experience. The whole team can be credited for this accomplishment. From beautiful cinematography to a complimenting background score to a brilliant job of casting, the combined effort is what makes the film laudable. It may not be the most critically acclaimed film, but it is definitely one that lingers in your mind long after you’ve left the movie theatre.

Poetry has resided in the hearts of Chandigarhians since times immemorial and now there’s something of a movement going about to bring it out of the hearts and into the open for the poetry lovers of the tricity to revel in.

What  : Chalte Chalte: Juan Elia
When : March 11, 2018 | 4PM onwards
Where: Garden of Fragrance, Sector 36

We may not be fully aware of it, but poetry has been a part of our lives right from the time we were children. From rote learning children’s jingles to analysing poetry as part of our school syllabus, to dancing to lyrical beats of poetry hidden within our favourite songs – it has been around even when we weren’t proactively looking for it.

Poetry has taught us many a lesson in life that we weren’t aware we learnt through a simple weaving together of words. It is the expression of human experience, of feelings, of thoughts and emotions. It is poetry that has, in many ways, taught us about the aesthetic balance of life and showed us what is truly beautiful in the world.

Recognising this role that poetry plays in all of our lives and wanting a platform for those who celebrate the love of poetry, the minds behind Cross Connection Poetree started meeting every month to bring verses to the general public in a free and open environment. They meet every month and recite poetry for any and every one who wants to listen, usually with a predetermined concept for every meeting, giving their segment the title ‘Chalte Chalte’.

This Sunday, Cross Connection Poetree is bringing Chalte Chalte: Juan Elia to the Garden of Fragrances as a salute to and for the love of Juan Elia’s evergreen verses. A popular Pakistani poet, scholar, and philosopher, Juan Elia was born in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh in 1931 and eventually moved to independent Pakistan in 1957. Communist in ideology, Elia was against the idea of living in an independent Muslim state, and was known to be unconventional in his ways. His poetry reflected a deep sense of loneliness, nihilism, and the despair of separation.

Juan Elia’s poetry tugs at the chords of grief within each of us and that’s the beauty of his shayari. It’s not every day that someone recites such beautiful poetry under a clear open sky. It is the one not to be missed.

Startups are the future of entrepreneurship in India and the next big thing to impact the economy in a good way. In fact, startups are not just the future, but the present of economic progress in the country. Some of the biggest companies we depend on today were mere startups once. You too could be the brains behind the next big thing and here’s the platform you need for expert guidance.

What : Udyami 2018: Startup’s Spectrum
When : Mar 10 – Mar 11, 2018 | 10AM onwards
Where : Panjab University, Main Campus

The Entrepreneurship Development Cell of UIET, Panjab University annually organises a National Entrepreneurship Summit, Udyami, with an aim to revamp the entrepreneurial and corporate sector of the tricity. Running successfully into its fourth year this time around, the summit lays claim to being one of the finest entrepreneurship summits in North India and the only one in the Chandigarh Tricity.

The two day event aims at engaging with the youth through a multitude of events such as workshops, competitions, panel discussions, intern fairs, and networking sessions with influential entrepreneurs, mentors, researchers, angel investors, venture capital firms, and various corporates. The vision behind the summit is to nurture a startup ecosystem that will pave the way for a sustainable and diverse entrepreneurial network where the experienced and the amateur will come together, taking the country’s economy to new heights.

In the previous years, the summit has invited eminent personalities in the economic and entrepreneurial sector for engaging panel discussions. Moguls like Kunal Nandwani (Founder & CEO, Utrade Solutions), Vijay Gopalan (ex-Air Asia CFO), Ramabhadran Thirumalai (Asst Prof, ISB Hyderabad), Amanjot Kaur (Director, IFM), Srikanth Sundararajan (Helion Ventures), and Bahubali Shete (Founder, CEO & MD, Connovate Technology) have previously graced the panel discussions with their opinions and insights. Udyami 2018 promises to be just as versatile this year by inviting speakers and guests from different domains to review various industries from travel to healthcare to startups of the future.

Numerous competitions have been meticulously organised such as the PLAN-A-THON, a game of plans, designed to test your on-field strategy making abilities and number crunching skills. CREATOUR, on the other hand, is designed to test your budgeting skills within a time limit. Participants get to experience being a food critic on a hunt for the best dishes at top restaurants in different continents of the world. BYOC (Bid Your Own Company) is one of the biggest hits, year after year, with participants donning CEO caps for their imaginary companies and getting to recruit new team members, giving them a sense of being in a real auction.

There’s much more on offer at the summit than can be listed out here. You’ll just have to go and attend the event to find out. Book your tickets here.