Whenever somebody from our town achieves something  at national or international level, it’s a matter of pride for everybody.  Restaurateur Neeti Goel who hails from Chandigarh but lives in Mumbai recently made the city proud as she joined the elite group of top 20 women in the world. She received the Women Empowerment Principal Leadership Award 2023 in Washington on International Women’s Day (March 8) and also Top 20 Global Women of Excellence 2023 in Thailand in February this year.

Neeti Goel who has studied in Carmel Convent School, Chandigarh, went on to do her graduation from MCM DAV College. She is the daughter of well-known industrialist Late SK Gupta and her mother lives in Sector 4, Chandigarh. “My heart lives in Chandigarh. It’s such a beautiful, peaceful city with fresh air, cleanliness, gardens while Mumbai is super crowded,” she says, speaking to CityWoofer from Mumbai.

Neeti runs many restaurants – Keiba, Ostad, Madras Diaries, House of CO and Amore Villas Alibaug restaurant chain in Mumbai, while her husband runs his own business. Both her children study abroad.

Her association with Sonu Sood is well known since the Covid lockdown when both came together to help anybody and everybody in need. Their friendship goes back to their families who were great friends, they grew up together catching up sometimes with Sonu growing up in Moga and Neeti Goel in Chandigarh. “I was studying in Chandigarh, he went to Nagpur for his studies. He entered Bollywood while I got married in Mumbai but its during Covid, our bond grew deeper. “I was working on my own through my restaurant on ‘Khana Chahihye’ intitative to those whom we could connect to physically during the initial phase of Covid, then Sonu pitched in with other things and it just got bigger and better,” she says.

Then started the ‘Ghar Bhejo’ (send them to their home) initiative through which they managed to send more than 1.5 lakh migrant workers safely to their homes through buses, trains and even aeroplanes. “While we were distributing food to the needy during Covid, they expressed their desire to go home. We didn’t know how we would do it, they were also apprehensive, but we started working on it. When a lot of people sought help, we started arranging for buses, special trains with the help of necessary government approvals,” she says remniscing the Covid days.

“With the huge rush of help-seekers we started doing it online. The first day, the website crashed with 50,000 calls on Day 1. An accomplished  website developer then chipped in and created a software, volunteers joined in, and this is how the small intiatives turned into a big movement,” she adds.

Did the family resent working long hours extending late into the night during Covid? “ Initally everybody was concerned with old in-laws and young children at home prone to catching Covid with me out the whole day, but slowly seeing the volume of our work, everybody relented and infact got involved themselves too,” she says.

“At present, we have over 600 volunteers across the country and now we are starting highways on dhabas and projects for rural women in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh,” she says talking about her current projects.

What keeps her on her toes, with such huge responsibilities strewn across the country. “A woman is a full circle within herself.  She just has to nurture, trust and unleash her power. Some very intelligent women are out there not being able to deliver to their full capacity not knowing where and how to start. It’s just a matter of a jumpstart and things keep falling into place automatically,” she says.

How does she feel carrying so much of personal and social responsibility on her young head, “A sound and peaceful sleep after I have delivered the day’s work is the biggest blessing and stress-buster which readies me up for the next morning,” says the soft-spoken, humble and calm Samaritan.

Helping Humanity 

The ‘Khana Chahiye’ project which started with 1200 meals a day during pandemic now stands at around 80 lakh meals a day. From distributing 50,000 sanitary pads among sex workers of Kamathipura in Mumbai to rescuing 70,000 people stuck in cyclones to aiding 32 orphanages and 800 sex workers, getting awards is nothing new to her having received more than 100 awards and honours post–Covid, her aim is to  be useful.

The 2023 edition of the Week of the Francophonie is being held from March 18 to 25 at the Alliance Française, Sector 36, Chandigarh, jointly with the Canadian Consulate. The ‘Francophonie Week’ is the festival of French language and the cultures of French-speaking countries, which is celebrated in the middle of March across the world.

The week-long activities here in Chandigarh include a petanque (a form of lawn bowling) match held on March 18. Artistic activities and screening of short films would be held during the entire week at the centre. The most-awaited activity is on March 25 when food stalls from seven French-speaking countries will be set up at the centre.

Ophélie Belin, Director of Alliance Française Chandigarh, said, “The discovery of any  country’s activity includes culinary specialities of these countries. This is why we invited seven natives from seven French-speaking countries, Lebanon, Tahiti, Tunisia, Canada, France, Mauritius and Burundi, to share some of their specialities with the public. Different dishes will take the public on a culinary journey.”

Petanque is a French game of boules, born in Marseille in the south of France. It is a game played in teams of two against two, often with 3 balls each and a “cochonnet”, a small ball.The objective is to score points by placing your balls closer to the goal than your opponent in relation to the ball.

“On a canvas, we have drawn symbolic elements of French-speaking countries such as the Eiffel Tower, the hibiscus, the maple leaf, and cheese. The public will be invited to colour these elements and add their own creativity in the available space,” said Ophélie.

“Being a woman means encountering obstacles and, in this program, there are so many personalities who show us how to overcome sometimes complex situations and assert our freedoms. Six short films (3 fictions, 2 animations and 1 documentary) made by women with a cycle time of 91 minutes would be screened,” she said.

Ophélie said, “This year the theme of the Francophonie is ‘time’ and it proposes to explore 10 words: year-light, déjà-vu, lambiner, tic-tac, synchronous, plus-que-parfait, dare-dare, rythmer, avant-jour, and hivernage. The French illustrator Armelle will propose a painting in connection with these ten words.”

There will be a special film screening of ‘Goodbye Happiness’, which has been programmed by the Canadian Consulate. The film is a Canadian comedy-drama film, directed by Ken Scott released in 2022. The film centres on four brothers who do not get along but are attempting to set aside their differences at their father’s funeral.

Chandigarh is known for its vibrant nightlife, with a plethora of nightclubs to cater to the preferences of partygoers. Whether you are a die-hard party enthusiast seeking a lively atmosphere or someone looking to unwind on a weekend with good music and drinks, Chandigarh has something for everyone. The city boasts an abundance of bars, clubs, and discos to choose from, with no shortage of options. If you’re searching for nightclubs with a great ambience, delectable cuisine, and top-notch service, then Playboy Club in Chandigarh is definitely worth considering.

The Playboy Club, Chandigarh – Best Place for Partygoers

The Playboy Club, Chandigarh exudes an amazing vibe, with an exceptional DJ selection who can make your night unforgettable. The music selection is curated to create an upbeat and enjoyable atmosphere that caters to the young and student crowd.

If you’re seeking the hottest party in Chandigarh, this Playboy club should be your go-to destination. It is one of the hottest night clubs in Chandigarh. This club is an excellent spot to unwind if you’re looking for a thrilling Saturday night with a diverse and lively audience and a chance to mingle with the city’s trendiest crowd.

The food at Playboy Club is simply phenomenal, and the staff is highly accommodating. With an elaborate menu featuring a range of culinary delights, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Don’t forget to try their amazing pizza selection. The prices are a bit on the higher side, so do keep that in mind. This bar is impressive, offering a wide range of alcoholic beverages, and they also serve hookah.

The decor inside Playboy Club, Chandigarh is absolutely stunning, with a private area on the top floor. In case you are looking for the perfect spot to enjoy great food and drinks then look no further!

Location: Floor 3, Industrial Area Phase I, City Emporium Mall, Chandigarh

Entry Tickets: Around Rs 2,500 for food and alcohol both, however table costs vary

Timing: 11:00 AM to 03:00 AM

Contact: 098886 88801

The object of art is not to reproduce reality, but to create a reality of the same intensity, a Swiss sculptor and painter Alberto Giacometti had said. The artist’s art is a manifestation of a personal journey, feels Chandigarh-born visual artist Gagandeep Singh. Chandigarh with its architecture and beautiful landscape has influenced his journey in a big way. “This kinship forms the basis of my art in which the patterns from architecture and the shapes of Nature are taken as inspiration to create artworks,” says Gagandeep, a professional sculptor, muralist and graffiti artist.

After teaching art in Tricity schools, Gagandeep is now focusing on his own art business, where he is creating a brand under the name ‘Crimson Arts India’. He holds a Master’s degree in Sculpture from the Government College of Art, Sector 10, Chandigarh, where he spent six years learning multiple disciplines like sketching, painting and calligraphy and getting a specialised master degree in sculpture.

“There is an eternal love for teaching so I still work with institutes like Chitkara University and Chandigarh Group of Colleges as a guest lecturer,” says Gagandeep, whose early inclination towards art came from comics and the desire to draw different characters. It’s been seven years now that he has been working as a full time professional.

The walls of many cafes, offices and restaurants in and around Chandigarh are adorned with his works like Brooklyn Central, Kala ghoda, Social, Elante, Athelonics gym, Castle Grill, Prepladder office IT park, Bollywood gully, the village, Dainik bhaskar office and Myfm office. “Currently I am working with a brand consultancy, a few architects and hospitals which is a new experience for me. I am also working on calligraphy. There is a particular style which I work in and clients are loving that style so I am experimenting to create a series of new calligraphy artworks in that particular style only,” he says about how an artist needs to keep upscaling himself.

Talking about how the art scene in the Tricity has changed over the years, “More people want art pieces for their residences and offices, there are more art exhibitions than earlier and there is regular work in the market for artists”.

However, one of the issues that hurts him the most is how customers don’t understand the difference between a handmade or hand painted artwork and the digitally printed counterparts. “They don’t want to pay an artist enough because there’s a cheaper alternative available in the market. Initially art was not meant for the common people, it was always commissioned by kings and subsequently made keeping their interests in mind. But these days we need a good amount of affordable art which is accessible to commons. And to make this work, there should be awareness about art appreciation, it should be taught in schools and colleges so that the coming generations are able to understand and appreciate art and the artist better,” he says.

Actor Sara Ali Khan, who is known for her travel diaries and her ‘knock knock’ jokes, was recently in Chandigarh on her way back from Kullu-Manali in Himachal Pradesh. Comfortable in her skin anywhere and everywhere, the articualte and vivacious Sara Ali Khan always leaves her fans wanting to know more about her real self.

Recently, she shared an insta story about a ride on an autorickshaw in Chandigarh, and another gorging on the classic Punjabi dishes from the region— aloo parantha with curd and butter. Her entire table was full of other delicacies like missi roti, paneer, lots of onion-tomato salad,, curd, butter.

She shared a video on her Instagram stories where she can be seen relishing a north Indian meal. The video starts with Sara Ali Khan sitting in a dhaba located in Sector 28, Chandigarh. As she takes a mouth-watering bite of parantha with curd, she exclaims “very yummy.” She then points towards a plate full of missi rotis and paneer, which she describes as “a blast.”

In another video, Sara Ali Khan chose to experience the authentic vibe of Punjab by opting to be around the city in an autorickshaw . Seated in the auto, she asked the driver, “Kahan Ja rahein hain ji?” (Where are we heading to?) The driver replied, “Punjab jaa rahein hain ji ” (We are going to Punjab), to which the actor of ‘Love Aaj Kal’ responded, “Punjab mein to hain” (We are already in Punjab).

Sara Ali Khan is currently occupied with the promotions of her upcoming film ‘Gaslight’, which will be streaming on Disney+Hotstar from March 31. The movie, directed by Pavan Kirpalani, features Vikrant Massey and Chitrangda Singh in pivotal roles.

In addition to ‘Gaslight’, Sara also has two other projects in the pipeline. She is set to star opposite Vicky Kaushal in an upcoming untitled rom-com directed by Laxman Utekar. She is also a part of Homi Adajania’s upcoming film ‘Murder Mubarak’.

INIFD Chandigarh student designers have been making the city proud by showcasing their apparels at three major fashion weeks – at New York for the 7th Season, at London for the 8th season and the Lakme Fashion Week, Mumbai for the last 34 consecutive seasons.

Models displaying clothes designed by INIFD student designers who participated in three global fashion weeks, in Chandigarh .

INIFD-LST in association with the High Commission India at London celebrated India Day at London Fashion Week where emerging INIFD designers presented two shows on February 17. The 1st show was of 40 garments designed on the basic principles of deconstruction. The 2nd show was of 25 exquisite garments designed on the signature fabric of India – khadi.

INIFD Chandigarh student designer, Gonika Sachdeva showcased her collection ‘Deconstructivism & architecture: commemoration in couture’, based on Le Corbusier’s architectural excellence in designing Chandigarh at the London Fashion Week. The inspiration for Le Corbusier’s master plan of Chandigarh has been credited to a number of sources. Its emphasis on ample green space between its roads and buildings drew not only from the principles of the Garden City requested by the local government but from his own unrealised master plan Ville Radieuse, which he was not able to fulfill in the US and Europe. He replaced towering glass skyscrapers with sculptures reflecting Chandigarh’s governmental purpose.

The show was marked by the presence of High Commissioner Vikram K Doraiswami, Deputy High Commissioner Sujit Ghosh, among other eminent international delegates. The High Commissioner felicitated the INIFD designers at India House, London.

At ‘Indian Fashion Trunk’ at the New York Fashion Week, world’s most prestigious fashion week on February 10 at New York City, the showcase by INIFD designers was a celebration of khadi reflected in the spectacular collection of 54 garments displaying a balance of tradition and modernity. Vipul Dev, Consul (Press, Information & Culture), Consulate General of India, New York witnessed the show.

On 9th March, the opening day of ‘Lakme Fashion Week’ Bollywood actress and former Miss India Neha Dhupia enraptured the audience wearing designs of INIFD Chandigarh student designer Raman Dageliya from her collection ‘Coming from the roots’ that was inspired by the African mud cloth Bogolanfini. Indian appliqués from Pipli, Odisha and batik dyes were used in the khadi wear.

Divyam Kaushal, INIFD interior design student, got the opportunity to work with renowned show directors of the industry at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI. INIFD presented GENNEXT at Lakme Fashion Week x FDCI to encourage upcoming Gen Next designers.

Ritu Kochhar, Corporate Director – INIFD, appreciated the student designers from INIFD Chandigarh for establishing their hold on all the three major fashion weeks of the world.

She said, “INIFD with its legacy of 27 years has established a strong global presence and has emerged as one of the leading chains of design institutes.”

She also said, “I am incredibly proud of our young designers who have created a niche at all the major fashion weeks of the world and their work is being appreciated in the world of fashion design”.

Making the relationship stronger since 2016, the High Commission India at London, INIFD & LST together have been fulfilling the promise of bringing Indian handlooms, weaves, art and craft on an international platform for the world to witness and experience the rich textile and handicraft history of India.

 

 

Come summer and there is an oppressive reign of scorching heat which hits us physically and mentally. That is when the images of serene and well-kept Thunder Zone amusement-cum-water park nestled in close proximity to the Tricity conjure up in the mind to take on the spectre of soaring temperatures. The very idea of visiting a water park may cheer up grumpy kids grumbling about an outing when they are restricted indoors due to the blazing sun.

When we look for amusement and water parks in and around the Tricity, the sprawling Thunder Zone amusement-cum-water park, the one-stop destination for a day’s excursion with family, is one of the places that instantly pops up.

Located in Mohali on the Sirhind Road, near Landran which falls in Mohali district of Punjab, Thunder Zone is a half-an-hour drive from ISBT Sector 17, Chandigarh.

The well-known facility which was started in 2002 has three prominent sections, which includes the amusement park, water park and the fun zone. The footfall sees a quantum surge, especially on weekends and holidays. The Thunder Zone amusement park attracts tourists from other parts of Punjab, and neighbouring states of Haryana and Himachal as well.

The visitors simply get swayed by the attractions that Thunder Zone offers to them. The piece-de-resistance is the water park comprising a slide pool, wave pool, besides a kids’ pool where they take a splash under the watch of hawk-eyed staff, et al. It also has an imposing dome slide which is the cynosure of all eyes. For the die-hard lovers of water games, there is an activity pool to play all sorts of games.

Touted to be the best and well-stocked amusement park in North India, Thunder Zone has as many as 12 rides, christened Columbus, Caterpillar, Octopus, Music Bob, Splash, Striking Cars, Mono Train, Aerial Runway and many more. Small kids are seen enjoying rides in the huge open and safe environs that the park provides.

The water park at Thunder Zone has a slide pool with four different slides, each starting from a height of 30 feet and meant for adults, which is sure to give you an adrenaline rush. The kids have their fair share of entertainment too. There is a kiddie pool for the frolicsome teeny-weeny tribe to enjoy a splash in the cerulean waters.

The fun zone offers a spree of rides and slides meant for toddlers and children too young to go for bigger slides. Avid bird lovers may be ears to the musical chirping of birds of different species as they thread their way through the well-trimmed green hedges welcoming the visiting guests.

One can reach Thunder Zone amusement and water park by own car, a cab, or a public transport bus which runs on a regular frequency.

Those travelling by train or by air need to know that the distance between the Chandigarh Railway Station and Chandigarh International Airport and Thunder Zone is barely less than 15 km. Cabs and other modes of transport are available.

Thunder Zone Ticket price:

Adult visitors: Rs 700 per person for amusement park only

Rs 1,000 per person for water park only

Rs 1150 per person for combo ticket (Amusement & Water Park)

Rs 300 per person  for those opting not to take rides or slides

Charges for kids: Entry for kids below three feet in height is free of charge. Above that, the regular charges as for adults apply.

Timings: The Thunder Zone Water park remains open for public from 10 am to 6.30 pm

Contact: 09888782220

(The writer , Ramesh K Dhiman, is a former staffer of The Tribune and freelance writer. He has written extensively for leading newspapers and magazines on art, culture, mythology, besides travelogues.)

What more does a person need for a productive work output – a working space with the right ambience, like green plants, good lighting, a cuppa coffee and good vibes. Podha, a plant and art studio which doubles up as a co-working space in Panchkula, provides you just that. A unique project undertaken by Tricity-based Jaisha Garg, is an ergonomic workstation for a productive co-working experience.

CityWoofer caught up with Jaisha Garg, the brain behind the innovative project.

What was the idea behind creating ‘Podha’?

In India, usually professional careers are looked up to, yet a career in ‘arts’ is considered unimportant or not well paying. As a creative mind, I wanted to create a space of inclusivity and respect for all careers. Podha was conceptualized with a larger perspective as the ultimate stop for creative people who want to make it their workstation and as a celebration of their niche skill sets. The idea was to create a space which speaks creativity, skill, positivity and idea incubation – all at the same time. Plants, art curation and human resource management happen to constitute my skill set, so Podha started as an extension of my personality.

How do you utilize your art space?

Mondays to Saturdays, Podha is a co-working space and a plant & art studio. On Sundays, the space is available for photo or video shoots, workshops and seminars, etc. We recently had a TV channel, Zee Business, conduct interviews of three industry leaders of Haryana. We have even received a proposal for Podha being used as a wedding destination.

We are soon launching our virtual studio for pan-India deliveries for plant and art curations. Although our studio caters to the artistic needs of the Tricity, yet if we deliver all over India, it will make people connect through the Podha network and form incubator groups.

Why the name Podha?

Podha in Hindi means a plant. Although my reason initially was my love for plants, it soon developed into a symbol of ‘newness’ and ‘initiative’. Also, as a new start-up, my motive was to have a catchy name with no more than two syllables. Podha seemed to fit the bill perfectly and instinctively felt correct.

Take a look:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/podha.in?utm_medium=copy_link

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Podha.in/

Address: SCO 366, Top floor, Sector 8, Panchkula

Google map: https://goo.gl/maps/XA5GdmhrAqTqqueH8

Spring is undoubtedly one of the most loved seasons with Nature’s colour scheme turning Mother Earth into a paradise. With flowers and flower-bearing trees like Jacaranda (neeli gulmohar) with mauve flowers , Amaltas  with yellow flowers and  Gulmohar with its orangish red flowers, it is a double delight along with the pleasant weather. The riot of colours and the purity and vibrancy that Nature offers is unmatched.

Amaltas trees lining many Chandigarh roads with their yellow foliage give a picture perfect moment

Residents and avid photographers are well aware of how City Beautiful Chandigarh is replete with green patches, blossoming geri routes, pathways and main roads lined with fragrant and colourful trees.

Gulmohar trees in one of the northern sectors in Chandigarh create quite a flutter in the heart

A continuum of a number of theme gardens spread across 8 km, Leisure Valley is the ultimate retreat you are looking for in spring. The roads criss-crossing the area from Sector 6 to Sector 10 and the Jan Marg lined with beautiful flowery trees are a visual delight.

Among many other parks that are a part of Leisure Valley are the Smriti Upvan and Rajendra Park in Sector 1, Bougainvillea Garden in Sector 3, fitness trails in Sector 10, Botanical Garden in Sec 14 which offer a vibrant environment and exceptionally pretty picture perfect moments. Situated between Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake, at the Smriti Upvan people plant trees in the memory of loved ones.

Located in the Nagar Van area just behind the stunning Sukhna Lake is the Chandigarh Bird Park. This beautifully designed aviary is sure to leave you mesmerized and rejuvenated.

The walking tracks have been thoughtfully designed to extend the feeling of the nearby hills dotting the skyline , making it a unique and worthwhile excursion.

Bird Park

Open to the public, the Punjab University campus has several visual attractions. Visitors and students make the most of the Botanical Garden located in the verdant campus, as well as the lush green lawns and huge open spaces.

Punjab University campus

Located between the Rose Garden and the Cricket Stadium, Shanti Kunj, has thick canopies of trees which provide the  best reprieve in summer and magical moments in spring with the chirping of birds, cool soothing air and the noiseless environs.

An open space especially created for the purpose of meditation with beautiful green surroundings and flower beds which are in full bloom in spring is the Garden of Silence at the the Sukhna Lake towards the Manimajra end .

Garden of Silence near Sukhna Lake

Located in Sector 33B, Chandigarh, in the heart of the city, Terraced garden are one of the most accessible parks spread across 10 acres of land. Early morning walkers, joggers, kids, youngsters, the old – everybody likes to be here to enjoy the glory of nature in its full bloom.

Terraced Garden, Sector 33, Chandigarh

The Fragrance Garden  in Sector 36, Chandigarh, has been curated very well with lots of open spaces, separate jogging track on the outer ring and beautifully manicured lawns. Families spend quality time with family and friends with ample space to amble around surrounded by beautiful flowers , nicely decorated flower beds, trimmed grass.

Fragrance Garden, Sector 36, Chandigarh

 

In a musical delight for Tricity residents, the Pracheen Kala Kendra (PKK), a strong proponent of Indian classical arts, will host the 52^nd edition of the annual All-India Bhaskar Rao Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan at the Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh from March 17.

The daily timings for the recitals will be 6 pm onwards.

Prominent among the participating icons of music are Prasad Khaparde (Vocal), Geeta Hahalik (Odishi dance), Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan (sitar), Rukmini Vijaykumar (Bharatnatyam) Pandit Satish Vyas (santoor), Pt Chetan Joshi (flute), Pandita Anuradha Pal (tabla), Kumar Sharma (Kathak dance), Pt Dharam Nath Mishra, Mithilesh Jha, Azad Ali Khan.

The Pracheen Kala Kendra has been organising the festival for the past more than five decades now and has groomed many a legend in their respective fields. “The sammelan is an impassioned endeavour by the Kendra to give a fillip to music with an eye on its three branches, viz Gayan (Vocal), Vadan (Instrumental), and Nritya,” said PKK Secretary Sajal Koser.

The programme will get off to a start with a soulful vocal recital by Prasad Khaparde, who will be accompanied by Pt Dharam Nath Mishra on harmonium and Mithilesh Jha on Tabla. This will be followed by an engaging Odishi dance to be presented by Vidushi Geeta Mahalik and troupe on the inaugural day.

On Day two (March 18) Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan will give a ‘santoor’ recital, to be accompanied by Azam Ali Khan on tabla. Up next will be a Bharatnatyam solo performance, to be presented by Rukmini Vijay Kumar, a name to reckon with in the genre.

There will also be a santoor recital by Pt Satish Vyas accompanied by Chetan Joshi on flute and Pandita Anuradha Pal on Tabla. This will be followed by a mesmerising Kathak dance performance by Kumar Sharma and troupe. The recital will mark the end to the 3-day musical soiree.

On the occasion, the Kendra will also honour Surinder Kumar Dutta, a veteran guru and sitar maestro of international repute, with the coveted PKK Life Time achievement award.