Hypertension affects practically all organs, including heart, brain, kidneys, eyes and limbs. So treating this one disease helps in preventing many complications, says superspecialist Dr Sanjeev Kumar Syal, MD (Medicine), DM Cardiologist.

May 17 is being observed as World Hypertension Day since 2006. This year’s World Hypertension Day theme is ‘Measure your blood pressure, control it, live longer’.

Hypertension, commonly called High Blood Pressure (HBP), is actually one of the biggest disease burdens of society, incurring several complications, disabilities, lost work days and impaired quality of life.

Speaking more on the silent killer, Dr Sanjeev Kumar Syal, a well-known Punjab-based cardiologist, said, “The problem with this disease is that it shows practically no symptom early on. A few patients may have headache, uneasiness, blurred vision or chest pain at very high blood pressure but mostly the symptoms occur due to complication in various organs, long after the disease has set in. It affects practically all organs of the body producing ailments of heart, brain, kidneys, eyes and limbs.”

The MD (Medicine), DM in Cardiology, Dr Syal said, “The treatment of complications caused by high BP is difficult, expensive and with limitations. Hence, preventing occurrence of disease by taking care of risk factors and progression of disease by early detection is imperative”.

We can decrease the incidence and prevalence of this disease by propagating awareness regarding modifiable risk factors including high salt intake, trans fats, saturated fats, physical inactivity and obesity. Non-modifiable risk factors include advancing age, heredity, and coexisting disease like diabetes or kidney disease.

The super specialist doctor said, “Eating low salt diet, fruits and vegetables, limiting trans fats, avoiding stress, cutting on alcohol, quitting tobacco, meditation, walking 30 minutes a day and aerobic exercises are few inexpensive yet most effective measures towards safeguarding ourselves”.

“A pill or two a day that keeps your blood pressure normal will keep you away from dreaded HBP-related complications and help you live a long and better life,” he said.

More than 120 crore adults suffer with hypertension worldwide with less than half being aware of their disease. Of those who are diagnosed, less than half are treated and of those treated, less than half have their blood pressure under desirable limits. Two-third of this hypertensive population resides in low and middle-income groups.

Blood pressure above 130/80 mmHg is considered as hypertension and keeping the BP below 140/90 mmHg is the goal of treatment. In India hypertension prevalence is around 27.6% in rural and 33.8% in urban parts.

Prevention of high blood pressure

• Intake of low salt diet
• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Limit trans fats
• Avoid stress
• Cut on alcohol
• Quit tobacco
• Meditation
• Walk 30 minutes a day

Cure for high BP

• Go for regular health check-up
• Get your blood pressure checked regularly
• A pill or two a day can keep your blood pressure normal

Contact: +91-7986902922

Mail: sanjeev2feb@gmail.com

Stepping into her house is akin to entering a living museum, where the walls come alive with an enchanting display of paintings. Each corner is adorned with a kaleidoscope of artistic creations that transports you to different landscapes across the globe.

Mrs Vinod Kapoor, 82,  the artistic soul of the house, has poured her passion onto the canvas, capturing the essence of diverse subjects. Her artistic repertoire knows no boundaries, as she delves into myriad themes, from the ethereal beauty of devotional paintings to the profound simplicity of ordinary women. Her brush dances across the canvas, bringing to life the enchanting allure of birds and the abstract wonders of imagination. With every stroke, she weaves tales of emotions and experiences that resonate deep within the hearts of those who gaze upon her art.

Together with her husband, a professor of Civil Engineering at Indian Institute of  Technology, Delhi, Mrs. Kapoor born in Moradabad, has travelled the world, living in countries as diverse as the United States, Iraq, New Zealand, Malaysia, and India.

When he retired, they returned to their roots and started a new chapter in their lives together. Sadly, fate had other plans, and just months after their return, Dr Kapoor was diagnosed with a chronic illness and he passed away. Left with two children living abroad, Mrs Kapoor found strength in her art and her faith, using her hobbies to connect with the divine and find meaning and purpose in her life.

Her landscapes evoke a sense of wanderlust, inspired by the breath-taking vistas she has encountered during her travels around the world. From the mist-shrouded mountains to the serene seascapes, she paints Nature’s wonders with a reverence that stirs the viewer’s imagination and ignites a longing for exploration.

As one engages in conversation with Mrs Vinod Kapoor, her artistic fervour becomes contagious, and one can’t help but be captivated by her unwavering passion. She speaks of her paintings as if they were living beings, each carrying a piece of her heart and soul.

“Inspiration can be found in the most ordinary things, from the colours of the sky at different times of the day, to the beauty of flowers in bloom, to the grace of birds in flight”, says Mrs. Kapoor. Her house, adorned with a treasure trove of her artistic expressions, is a testimony of a life well-lived.

Art has been the driving force behind her life, empowering her to face every challenge with strength, humility, and courage. With the power of talent, she overcame societal biases and mental barriers many a time.

She has been honoured with the Neerja Bhanot Award of Excellence, as well as the Award of Excellence for being among the most prominent women artists of Punjab in 2021.

But Mrs. Kapoor’s interests extend far beyond her art. At 83, she is a woman of many interests and skills, from cooking to gardening to meditation and yoga. She is loved by people of all ages, from toddlers to the elderly, who are drawn to her warmth, hospitality, and generosity of spirit.

With a double Masters in Sanskrit and Hindi, Mrs. Kapoor has a deep appreciation for the finer things in life, from music and literature to philosophy and spirituality. She comes from a family of nine siblings, each with their own unique interests and passions, and together they embody a holistic approach to living that has guided her throughout her life.

Sharing her artistic journey with CityWoofer, Mrs Kapoor said, “Whether it’s through travel, creative pursuits, or simply connecting with others in meaningful ways, I believe that we all have the ability to find joy and purpose in our lives. It’s important to stay open-minded, to take risks, and to always keep learning and growing”.

“And above all, I believe that cultivating a deep sense of gratitude and love for oneself and others is key to leading a fulfilling and meaningful life,” she adds, with a glint in her eyes.

In the midst of her artistic sanctuary, Mrs Vinod Kapoor exudes an infectious zeal, recounting the stories behind each painting with boundless enthusiasm. Her eyes sparkle with the fervent desire to hold her own independent exhibition, where her creations can take centre stage and touch the souls of art enthusiasts.

Mrs. Kapoor’s story is a testament to the power of talent, perseverance, and faith to overcome even the most difficult challenges. Through her art and her life, she has touched the hearts of countless people around the world, and her legacy will continue to inspire others for generations to come.

(The writer, Shweta Yadav, is an independent writer and researcher, passionate about uncovering untold narratives)

One thing always leads to the other, for actors, one role leads to another. When our own Chandigarh boy Karan Singh Chhabra played a terrorist in a web series ‘State of Siege’ where he played a terrorist, he didn’t know it would land him a role in the remake of RRR fame director SS Rajamouli’s famous South Indian film ‘Chatrapathi’. When Karan met one of the filmmakers six years ago at a Bollywood party, Karan had no inkling he would be helmed in for a role of a villain ‘who could go bald and had big eyes’, Karan just slipped into the role perfectly.

Why we are discussing about Karan Singh Chhabra is because he has played a villain in the film ‘Chhatrapati’, which released on May 12. The remake stars Bellamkonda Sreenivas as Shiva and Nushrratt Bharuccha as his love interest, Bhagyashree as Shiva’s mother who is Shiva’s step mother but Ashok’s (played by Karan Singh Chhabra)’s biological mother.

A product of Yadavindra Public School, Mohali where actor Yami Gautam and writer-director Tahira Kashyap were his seniors, he did theatre in school. He did Class XII from Senior Secondary Model School, Sector 35, and went on to complete his B Tech from Rayat-Bahra University.  His parents live in Phase 1, Mohali, her mother is a homeopathic doctor and father is a retired government servant.

Karan worked as a software engineer in Ernst & Young in Mumbai, besides he kept giving auditions and worked in TV shows, held talk shows on YouTube channel, started anchoring too. “I had realised early that just auditioning won’t help, when I held talk shows with superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and others, then there was no looking back,” he says. CityWoofer caught up with Karan Singh Chhabra:

Did you audition for the role of the villain Ashok in ‘Chatrapathi’?

Based on my earlier performances, I was called by the film director because he already had me in mind for that particular character. My role demanded me to go bald in the film, the director did not want to use prosthetics as the character’s head had to be shaven off in public view in the film as a form of  punishment by the hero. We discussed the role and I took the look tests and I was in.

What do you have to say about the casting process in Bollywood?

I believe in the old school of thought where the director-actor liaison happens at the beginning itself so that aspiring actors don’t have to go through the casting director route which is being misused nowadays. The lead roles are already locked, so for smaller roles, budding and aspiring actors stand in queues running from one audition to another. There are a lot of filters through which the actor goes through like the interns at the casting director’s office, then the casting director, then you reach the director-producer. As you are wriggling through this, you may face nepotism and the genuine actors get lost in the crowd.

What is your take on Chandigarh?

Chandigarh is a combination of a big metro and a small village. It has good facilities, clubs, educated people, good crowd. Now, with the coming of social media, it is a great place for budding actors. There are online and offline workshops, media events, grooming sessions, etc you can prepare yourself in Chandigarh and then land in Mumbai prepared.

What would you say to Pollywood’s presence in the region?

Directors and producers must explore casting avenues other than the clichéd actors that they keep repeating in film after film. There’s so much of diversity in the kind of actors they can get for varied roles, they can always mix-n-match the new artistes with the established actors.

How do you perceive OTT as a growing medium of entertainment?

Yes, it is giving opportunities and employment to a lot of people, but I believe it is diluting the content for the audience.

What are your future projects?

I have ‘Yaariyan 2’ with Divya Khosla and ‘Control’ with actor Anup Singh Thakur.

You might have seen many golgappa wallahs in and around the Tricity dishing out golgappas one after the other onto your small little disposable saucers. Normally, it’s the men who are seen with golgappa kiosks. But there’s a pani puri girl (the same as golgappa) in Mohali whose golgappas will make you salivate for more and more.

Poonampreet Kaur, who recently got married, runs her pani puri kiosk on her own at Phase 7 (opp flower market) in Mohali. The smart young girl always wearing a smile on her face readily helps you with servings of teekha and meetha pani from six in the evening to ten in the night..

“I have been doing this work for the last one and a half year. I have earlier worked at a dental clinic as an assistant. I realized, I was working so hard but I wasn’t able to save any money,” says the defiant girl, who is the eldest of four siblings.

“I knew that working in offices will not suit me in the future, I thought I‘ll do something else but I didn’t know what to do, so jo mill gaya woh kar liya ” she says.

She outsources golgappas from the vendors, but prepares the masala-laden water and the mashed potatoes and black grams at home. Her rates are also reasonable with Rs 30 for simple golgappas, Rs40 for sooji golgappas, Rs 60 for dahi golgapppas, bhelupri for Rs 40, dahi bhalla for Rs 50 and chaat papri for Rs 60.

Earlier, her brother used to help her but after her marriage, she hired a girl. The administration had stopped the street vendors from parking their rehris for 5-6 months, but now she’s back in business with renewed energy. “I used to make good money before, and now I have started all over again.”

Poonam originally belongs to Rai Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh but now is settled in a Punjabi Sikh family with her husband also running his own food stall in Phase 11.

“I could not complete my graduation, but I would like to pursue it online ,” she says. What about men who may behave nasty? “Out of 100, there may be 3-4 who may have bad intention, but I keep doing my work and everybody who comes to me knows that,” says the bubbly, energetic pani puri girl.

‘A happy mind is a learning mind’, says writer Anthony T. Hincks, which fits the bill to a T for Amanat Kaur, Class XII CISCE (Council for Indian School Certificate) topper from Yadavindra Public School, Mohali.

A bright student throughout her academic career, Amanat who secured 95 per cent in the medical stream in class XII is not the one who would give up. “There are moments when you feel low, but then you just have to gather yourself and start again,” says the bright YPS student.

An agriculturist father and a home maker mother, Amanat’s inspiration is her elder sister, Pavit Kaur, who had secured 97.75 pc in class XII and is now studying at IIT, Kharagpur. A younger brother, Manvesh, in Class VIII in the same school who aspires to join the Indian Armed Forces, half of the credit goes to the parents who couldn’t feel more proud than this. ” I have always given them the freedom to chose what they want as far as academics is concerned with no pressure on obtaining marks,” says the proud mother, Kiranjeet Kaur. CityWoofer caught up with Topper Amanat Kaur to know more about how she climbed the ladder to success.

How did you manage your time?

I studied  5-6 hours a day, apart from attending school. Once you attend a particular lesson in school, the second time you are taught the same in the tuition class  and the third time you revise the same at home. One has to pay attention whenever in the class. I initially tried to reduce my school classes to study at home but it wasn’t helping, so I attended school regularly.

How did you keep yourself motivated?

My mother used to scold me and she was stressed more than me, so I knew there was no way out, except to study. If the topic is interesting, I pay all attention because I like to know about new things.

Students fear maths and physics the most, how did you treat these subjects?

I like mathematics, so that was not a problem anyway. I also like solving physics numericals, if I got stuck, I would seek help from teachers.

How do you destress yourself after studying?  

I listen to music

How do you retain, what you have learnt?

I tend to write while learning so it’s easier to retain it in the mind.

What do you think is the best way of memorizing ?

Read the lessons and then write.

What are you looking forward to?

I have appeared for NEET this year but I’ll appear again next year to imporve my score, as I want to get admission in one of the top medical colleges in the country.

The Indian Women Network (IWN) in association with Sahayak Associates held an event ‘Maa Tujhe Salam’ at the Hyatt Regency, Chandigarh, on the occasion of Mothers’ Day. The event aimed to honor and celebrate the invaluable contributions of mothers in our lives and society.

One of the highlights of the event was an insightful panel discussion titled ‘Money Talks with Maa’. Experts from diverse financial backgrounds, including prominent financial advisors and successful entrepreneurs, shared their experience and provided valuable insights on financial planning and management. The panel discussion shed light on the importance of empowering mothers with financial knowledge and skills to ensure their financial independence and security.

Sandeep Sahani, founder of Sahayak Associates, captivated the audience with his session ‘Investing in Motherhood’. Sahani, a renowned expert in financial planning and investment, shed light on the crucial role of early financial planning, particularly for women, in securing a prosperous future.

Sahani emphasized the common finance-related mistakes made by women and the need for proper financial planning in households. Recognizing the significant contribution of women in saving and nurturing, he stressed the importance of women prioritizing their own financial goals and aspirations. By actively engaging in financial planning, women not only secure their own financial independence but also set a positive example for future generations.

The event ‘Maa Tujhe Salam’ also highlighted the existing taboo around discussing money matters within families. Sahani urged attendees to break these barriers and promote open conversations about finances. By fostering a supportive environment where family members can openly discuss financial goals, challenges, and strategies, households can work together to achieve a more secure future.

Moreover, Sahani emphasized the need for a shift in cognitive habits from short-term thinking to long-term planning. Investing at an early stage, he argued, is essential for ensuring a secure future for children. By encouraging proactive financial planning, individuals can build a strong foundation for their families, providing them with the necessary resources and opportunities for success.

Financial planning, as highlighted by Sahani, is not solely about accumulating wealth but also about making informed decisions, setting goals, and taking control of one’s financial destiny.  It empowers individuals and families with the knowledge and tools to navigate life and uncertainties and build a prosperous future. Attendees were educated on how to take charge of their financial future, avoid common financial mistakes, and engage in open discussions about money matters within their households.

Following the panel discussion, a heartwarming conversation took place between Dhairya and his mother Shikha Khaira. This session touched the hearts of all attendees as they witnessed the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child. Dhairya, in his emotional dialogue with his mother, expressed his gratitude for her unwavering support and love throughout his journey. This conversation beautifully highlighted the immeasurable sacrifices and unconditional love that mothers provide.

The Indian Women Network (IWN) is a prominent initiative of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women across various sectors. IWN focuses on advancing women & their participation in leadership roles, fostering diversity and inclusion, and facilitating networking and collaboration among women professionals.

Sahayak Associates is a renowned financial planning and investment advisory firm based in Chandigarh, dedicated to providing individuals and businesses with personalized financial solutions. Founded by Sandeep Sahani, Sahayak Associates aims to empower individuals with financial knowledge and help them make informed decisions to achieve their financial goals.

Panchkula residents in the outer areas can now look forward to a safer visit to marketplaces within Panchkula. A fleet of at least 50 buses will soon hit city roads through a ring bus service connecting city markets in the district.

The Citizens Welfare Association (CWA) has played a pivotal role in making the long-cherished dream of the residents of the district, especially the senior citizens, come true.

Speaking with CityWoofer, an ecstatic CWA president S K Nayar minces no words, “We had been pressing hard with those at the helm for over decades to accede to the residents’ genuine demand for making the new ring bus service available to them, sooner than later. At the end of the day our strenuous efforts, which include an uninterrupted stream of letters and rejoinders that have been exchanged with the political dispensations, have paid off.”

The CWA chief further informs that although the ring bus service was introduced by the then Bhajan Lal government, it was discontinued in 1992 within 25 days.

Nayar further says, ‘Pursuant to our demand for the revival of the defunct ring bus service, the government gave a written assurance to meet the demand. The state transport commissioner has given nod to the intra-city bus service and has approved the provision of a fleet of 50 electric buses for Panchkula keeping in mind the growing demand of residents.

Sharing details, Nayar says the association had through a letter broached the issue with the State Transport Commissioner (STC) in March 2022, following which the General Manager of Haryana Roadways Panchkula was entrusted with the task.

The CWA expressed its gratitude to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Vidhan Sabha Speaker and MLA Gyan Chand Gupta, and, the State Transport Commissioner for being thoughtful of the long-pending demand of residents of Panchkula and making the service available to them. It will prove to be a boon in disguise for them in true sense of the term as they will be able to travel hassle-free between Panchkula markets.

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

The students of the prestigious Osmania University are all set to host the third edition of TEDXOsmaniaU, an independently organized TED event. Scheduled to take place on May 13, this event is poised to offer attendees a captivating experience with the inspiring stories of six key speakers. The event will feature a lineup of notable personalities from diverse fields who have demonstrated remarkable courage, resilience, and determination in overcoming obstacles.

This year’s theme ‘Through the Storm – Finding Hope and Light in Dark Times’ is especially relevant given the recent global challenges we have all faced.

The sprawling campus of Osmania University will provide an excellent platform for the speakers to share their stories and insights into how they found hope and light amidst adversity.

The aim is to provide the audience with valuable perspectives, ideas, and tools that can empower them to navigate challenges and find inspiration in their own lives. Some of the most prominent names in their respective fields,  the speakers are:

Dr Rishu Rithvik, the founder of 3DK-reach2703 Mission and co-founder of Dr Rishu’s Career Clinic & Honest SOP Services known as “India’s Dr. Motivation.”

Praachi Nagpal ,the winner of Miss Grand India 2022, pageant stylist and a classical dancer

Meghana Musunuri, an education futurist, philanthropist, an entrepreneur, the founder and chairperson of Fountainhead Global School & Junior College, Hyderabad Champion for Google’s Women Entrepreneurs On The Web (WEOW) and also an alumna of Osmania University

Col Shyam Vijaya Simha, a distinguished paratrooper an ex-armyman who was also awarded the Sena Medal for Gallantry, he also an alumnus of the University College of Sciences, Osmania University.

Venkatesh Maha,a highly talented Telugu film director, screenwriter, and actor, who has won multiple awards for his contribution to cinema, including the best south Indian international Movie. He is also the visionary director behind the South Filmfare award-winning film kancherapalem.

Anam Mirza, an Indian fashion stylist and entrepreneur, the co-founder of The Label Bazaar, a fashion exhibition, and founder of Label Bazaar Wedding, a multi-designer store.

Samala Venu, M.Sc, MS(PR), magician, illusionist, social activist, MD & CEO of Samvad Public Relations based in Hyderabad, and also a Guinness Book of World Records holder.

Tickets for the event are available on the official TEDx website. Don’t miss out on the chance to learn from some of the most accomplished and inspiring personalities who have defied the odds and emerged victorious. Join TEDxOsmaniaU on May 13, 2023, and discover the power of hope in dark times.

You can also book your tickets at https://www.citywoofer.com/e/tedxosmaniau

Food blogging has been a very recent phenomenon in India. One of the pioneers in food blogging in the Tricity, experimenting and trying different cuisines has led food blogger Jimmy Makkar to reach out to so many foodies with constructive feedback on what to look for in a particular restaurant or eatery.

A product of St John’s High School, Jimmy did his B Com (Hon) from DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh, and went on to do his MBA from UBS, Mohali.  He worked as a banker with HDFC bank and then as a consultant at Infosys, Pune, where he explored food and got to know about food blogging. When he returned to Chandigarh to take care of his father’s business in footwear who owns the famous Chief-19 shoe store in 3B2-Mohali, he took up food blogging as another vocation. Blogging since 2008, he attended various food bloggers meets and honed his skills to experiment and try different foods and deliver specific info to his audience.

“Chandigarh does not have any specific cuisine of its own, it is an amalgamation of influences from say Ludhiana, Amritsar, Delhi, etc. What works in say Amritsar like phicha (soaked) kulcha might not be liked by people in Chandigarh but Amritsaris swear by it. So, cuisines evolve according to the local palate,” says Food Blogger Jimmy Makkar.

Which according to him are the best places to eat out in Tricity? There he goes:

Rozanna in Sector 5, Panchkula

Lublub (Lebanese cuisine) in Mohali

Kanel Bakery, Sector 7, Chandigarh

Sultry Noodle, Sector 7, Chandigarh

Beige, Sector 7, Chandigarh

Dastaan, Sector 7, Chandigarh

Babas, Sector 7, Chandigarh

Casa Bella Vista, Sector 10, Chandigarh

At the five star hotels, he recommends dining out at Dera and Black Lotus at Taj; buffet at JW Marriot is the best and sunday brunch at Hyatt is delectable.

Food bloggers  ‘eat, try and write’ and reach out to audience through Instagram pictures, reels, blogs, so make the most of it before trying a new place for dining out.

The 4th edition of the Grey Shades Fellowship program in Chandigarh starts on May 15. The fellowship programme is a curriculum–based capacity building programme for 6 months.

“We want more retired people to renew and repurpose their life and join the unique fellowship of Grey Shades,” said Inderpreet Singh, the Founder of Grey Shades, a not-for-profit Charitable Trust for Senior Citizens. “There is dedicated training through the fellowship programme which helps the retired people live fulfilling lives socially, mentally and physically,” he added.

More About Fellowship Program

The 4-days a week fellowship programme costs about Rs 8,500 per month with equity based fee model where seniors can pay as per their paying capacity. It can range from 8% to 15 % for different individuals. If person has an income of Rs 100 and no liability, they will take Rs 15 as their monetary commitment to the program.

The members or alumni can join as well but after a gap of at least one year. 45 people have already completed the training in the last three editions of the fellowship programme and a maximum of 20 people will be taken in for the fourth edition. Becoming meaningful and productive, as part of the program, the senior citizens dedicated 400 hours to community service, where their time and experience was channelised for the betterment of society.

The Grey Shades Fellowship program for senior citizens offers a range of activities and methodologies to help participants lead fulfilling lives. These include group sessions, dance movement therapy, expression through art and craft, writing therapy, food and nutrition guidance, digital literacy, mindfulness practices, yoga, and meditation. By providing a holistic approach to wellness and engagement, the program helps elders live a healthy and meaningful post-retirement life.

What is Grey Shades?

Grey Shades as an organization committed to working with the elderly for their physical, social & emotional wellbeing. It started in 2016 as SPEEE (Society for Productive Engagement and Entertainment for elderly) . It put  years of research and experience working in Amritsar, New Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon and Chandigarh. “Grey Shades is an experience in itself. It offers a unique opportunity for senior citizens who are living alone and fighting boredom after retirement,” said the founder Inderpreet Singh.

While interacting with the media, members of the 3^rd edition shared inspiring stories and their experience being a part of the 3rd edition of the fellowship. The seniors eagerly discussed the small joys that the program had ushered into their lives. Some seniors got emotional while narrating their stories of loneliness and depression due to various reasons until they joined the unique Grey Shades program, which transformed their lives for the better.

One of the participants, Rita Sodhi, a cancer survivor who retired from the Indian Railways, credited Grey Shades for helping her overcome depression that came along with the illness. “Independence and will power to do anything and serve society is my winning story from the program”, she said.

Naresh Mehta, who has 32 years of government service behind him, said that the fellowship gave a new meaning to his life. Veena Khanna, a homemaker, shared how the program allowed her to explore the world outside her home and kitchen and pursue her passion for singing while helping women through an NGO called ‘Chhoti Si Asha’.

Devinderpal Sehgal, a Limca Book of Records holder and an enthusiast kite flyer, considers Grey Shades as a platform to express capabilities and continue learning as aging happens.

Contact: 888-111-8522

Register here: https://greyshades.org.in/becomefellow.html

(The writer, Simar Bhasin, is an independent writer with seven years of experience. A literature nerd and a reality TV geek, ‘Too much to read, too much to watch and too short a time to do it in’, is her constant rant )