Chandigarh Literary Society to confer Lifetime Achievement Award on Ruskin Bond

Chandigarh, 22 November : The 5^th edition of the Chandigarh Lit Fest, Literati, organized by Chandigarh Literary Society (CLS) shall be held at the Chandigarh Lake Club on 25-26 November 2017.

Addressing the media CLS Chairperson and Festival Director Dr Sumita Misra informed that the trilingual lit fest shall have many prominent authors participating including world-renowned Padma Bhushan awardee Ruskin Bond, who will be delivering the keynote at the inaugural.

CLS is conferring the Lifetime Achievement Award on Ruskin Bond for his unparalleled contribution to the Indian literature, she said.

Canada’s Consul General Dr Christopher Gibbins informed that Canada is the partner country this year again after the last year’s success, and two celebrated authors Lee Maracle and Columpa C. Bobb would be participating in the second day session on “Roots and Wings” which he would be moderating.

Celebrated Hindi writer and Vice Chair of CLS Madhav Kaushik said that Literati’s major focus is to promote good literature in the region and nothing else, and this lit fest has gone from local to global with the participation of international authors.

The poster and the sessions schedule of Literati 2017 was also released by the Team Literati

In the two days back-to-back sessions will see authors sharing their insight on varied genres of writing vis-à-vis its social impact. The Team Literati also released the poster and the Sessions Schedule on the occasion.

The inaugural shall be followed by an hour-long session of Ruskin Bond in conversation with Dr Sumita Misra, while the post lunch sessions would span poetry, prose, stories, and history.

For those who enjoy history, “Lost and Found: History & Culture” shall get to interact with author of “Invisible City: The Hidden Monuments”, Dr Rakhshanda Jalil along with famous author of “Mr and Mrs Jinnah” Sheela Reddy.

Archana Saini, Saurabh Sharma, Vineet Bajpai, Vandana Shukla, Neel Kamal Puri are some of the authors featured on the first day.

Waseem Barelvi, Kunwar Bechain Naseem Nikhet, Gyan Parkash, Vivek Trilochan, Lochi Mahak, Bharti, Chander Trikha and  Madhav Kaushik are the eminent poets who would be presenting their latest creations in the trilingual mushaira on the first day evening.

The second day shall open with famous Panjabi writers Atamjeet Singh, Jasbeer Mand and Manmohan Singh, with Ravee Pandher moderating the session.

Neel Kamal Puri shall be moderating the session on ‘The Political and The Personal’ with celebrated author and biographers Khushwant Singh and Shantanu Gupta author of “The Monk Who Became Chief Minister”

The Mumbai-based celebrity nutritionist and winner of the prestigious 'Nutrition award' from Asian Institute of Gastroenterology and exercise science expert, Rujuta Diwekar  would reveal her insight into uncomplicating the process of eating.

On this occasion Ram Varma’s political memoir, “My Encounters with the Three Lal’s of Haryana”  shall be released, and in a special session on stories of officialdom, fiction writer and former bureaucrat Vivek Atray shall moderate the session withRam Varma and bureaucrat and author of “Memoirs of an Unrepentant Civil Servant” Robin Gupta on the panel.

The winners of this year’s CLS short story writing competition shall also be awarded prizes at the concluding function on Sunday.

Literati is supported by the Chandigarh Administration and the Department of Cultural Affairs Government of Haryana.

Hatil to expand to newer territories in India

Hatil, a  leading international brand in home and office furnitures, looking for franchisees

Chandigarh, November 1:  Hatil, the leading global furniture brand, which entered the Indian market with its first showroom in Zirakpur, is now looking for franchisees in Punjab and Haryana cities. 

We are looking for young, energetic and passionate entrepreneurs who have the zeal to be a part of the home and office furniture market, says Avan Goel, the CEO of Hatil India, whose company, Kratos Furnishers, holds the master franchise for the brand. 

With its 80 outlets across the globe and nearly 70 in Bangladesh itself, Hatil India plans to increase its footprint in India for its elegant and slim designs, said Avan Goel.

HATIL has gained acceptance in Australia, USA, Russia, Canada, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan and the Middle East because of superior quality, craftsmanship and a strong after-sales service.

HATIL traces its root in HA Timber Industries Ltd., a company established in 1966, while HATIL was established in 1989 by Selim H. Rahman, which uses state-of-the-art technical know-how from Germany and other countries, and making it the largest furniture manufacturing facilities in Asia.

Ananya of Chandigarh puts dramatic card of the day in Golf

Chandigarh, November 14: Ananya kapoor in Sub Junior category from Chandigarh played 7 under her handicap and finished day 1 of the 24^th Punjab Open Ladies Amateur Golf Championship with a gross score of 87, also putting in the most dramatic card of the day.

The gold division saw Hunar Mittal and Shalini Sheoran tied in the lead with a gross score of 80. Even as Heena Kang with 82 and Hazel Chauhan with 85 are a close second and third in this category.

The silver division is led by Ananya Kapoor with a score of 87, followed by Ashu B Singh at 95 and Pikka P Singh coming in third with a gross score of 96 on day 1 of the three day tournament.

Bronze division scores were as follows - Harinder Grewal (100), Inder Gill (103), jaswinder Gill (105) 

The 24^th Punjab Open Ladies Amateur Golf Championship was flagged off at 7.30 am today with the president of the club, Mr Ravibir Singh doing the ceremonial tee off.

Contact for further information and results

Ms. Saguna Jain

Mobile No. - 98884 88088

Email Id- sagunajain@gmail.com

24th Punjab Open Ladies Amateur Golf Championship tomorrow

Chandigarh, 13^th November: The Chandigarh Golf Club, is organizing the region’s biggest ladies amateur tournament, 24^th Punjab Open Ladies Amateur Golf Championship from November 14 to 16, 2017.

Around 75 ladies from Delhi, Leh, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune Bangalore, Punjab and the tricity

are competing in various categories for prestigious trophies and prizes.

Winner in the seniors category shall receive the Neelu Chopra Trophy which was introduced last year will be played for this year as well and will be given to the winner in the seniors category.  Late Neelu Chopra was the Lady Captain of the club and was a passionate and avid golfer and the trophy is given away each year by her family in her memory.

Mrs Pauline JM Singh, the Chairperson, IGULC (Indian Golf Union Ladies Committee) will also be participating and playing in this tournament in the Gold Division.

The Gold, Bronze and Silver categories will see players in all age groups playing alongside each other, the youngest being less than 10 and a Golden super senior girl stands tall and proud at 80.

The championship shall tee-off at 7am on 14^th and for the next three days will see ladies sweating it out in the stroke play format for the best Nett and Gross scores. For the ladies who do not make the cut on the final day, will play match in the alternate shot format.

The prize distribution will be held on the 16^th afternoon where Ms Amrit Gill IAS, Additional Principal Secretary to the CM, Punjab will give away the prizes to the winners.

The event is being supported by India Bulls, Tata, Markfed, Nestle, and Coca Cola.

Good clean leadership is the need to achieve welfare of all: Governor of Punjab

Chandigarh, 28^th October 2017:  The Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh Shri V P Singh Badnore released the book on the creation of a welfare state, “Ramrajaya” by Dr Jagmohan Singh Raju, a 1985 batch Tamil Nadu cadre IAS Officer here today at the Punjab Raj Bhavan.

Acknowledging the parameters defined by Dr Jagmohan Singh against which the success of achieving the welfare of the people, Shri Badnore said that the goals get achieved once these are measurable.

He said that the major stumbling block in the economic development of any state is the “C-factor” i.e. corruption which needs to be nipped to ensure nation’s growth, which also requires good leaders who are transparent and committed to create a nation of happy people.

Published by Excel Books, the function was organized in collaboration with the Chandigarh Literary Society, the book was released in the presence of Shri Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Minister for Rural Development Punjab and Justice Jatinder Chauhan of Punjab & Haryana High Court.

People’s welfare is state’s responsibility under the Constitution of India and Directive Principles, said Dr Jagmohan Singh Raju in his book, “Ramrajaya: The People’s Welfare State”, which was released here today by Shri V.P. Singh Badnore, Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh.

Responding to the panel of former Resident Editor of Indian Express Vipin Pubby and the Haryana’s Principal Secretary for Technical Education Dr Sumita Misra, IAS, Dr Jagmohan Singh Raju said that the purpose of the book is to stimulate a nation-wide debate on the concept of Indian welfare state, which is metaphorically referred to by the common man as “Ramrajya”.

The book is all about good governance and people’s aspirations for a welfare society where the basic needs as laid down in our Constitution are met, and where the state helps in creation of wealth and its equitable distribution, said Dr Jagmohan Singh.

People have the right to welfare state and it is imperative for policy-makers and planners to follow the basic parameters with measurable goals and a time frame to create the necessary ecosystem where people can enjoy life and are happy, he said.

Jagmohan Singh Raju is acknowledged practitioner of ethical public policy and administration, and avowedly subscribes to excellence, measurable outcomes and accountability in public service.

He steered Saakshar Bharat, the new variant of National Literacy Mission from 2009-14, making nearly twenty-five million adult women, dalits and rural people, literate which won India worldwide recognition with UNESCO KingSejong Literacy Prize in 2013.

Kamla Kapur's 'Rumi: Tales to Live By' released

Chandigarh, October 21: “Rumi: Tales to Live By” by India born American author, Kamla K Kapur was released here today at a function organized by the Chandigarh Literary Society (CLS) at UT Guest House.

Dr Sumita Misra, CLS Chairperson, Padmashri Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry and noted journalist and author Roopinder Singh released the book.

The book is a series of stories about life’s trials and gifts from the famous Sufi poet Jalalud Din Rumi’s six volume work, “Mathnawi” written in Persian and later translated into English by Reynold Nicholson in 1926.

“I am a lover of author rather than a scholar,” says the author Kamla Kapur, who has recreated those stories for the modern reader ending with her commentary, her interpretation of each story and how it impacts our life.

Against the backdrop of modern times and the life’s challenges, Rumi’s sketches of humanity show a new generation of spiritual seekers illuminating even the darkest of the paths with divine light, explains Kamla Kapur.

Kamla Kapur read out a few select stories from the book while her husband Payson R Stevens, an equally multifaceted creative personality, read through the author’s commentary that accompanies each story.

Later Neelam Mansingh and Roopinder Singh interacted with the author to unveil the nuances of creativity and Rumi’s theme of stories from his vast repertoire.

Award-winning author Kamla Kapur further enhances the read with personal experiences from her own journey, making the narrative an enchanting mix of the real and the wondrous. Touching, passionate and sparkling, her commentary on these sometime forgotten but beloved stories clears the clouds of confusion and inspires in readers the strength to follow The Way.

Kamla K. Kapur is a bestselling poet, author of six books, and playwright. Kapur taught courses in play writing, poetry, creative nonfiction, fiction, mythology, Shakespeare and women’s literature at Grossmont College in California for eighteen years. She and her husband divide their year living in the Kullu Valley in the Indian Himalayas and in Southern California.

Leading Global furniture brand HATIL enters India

Hatil, a  leading international brand in home and office furnitures, and doors opens its first showroom in Zirakpur, Punjab

Zirakpur, Mohali, Punjab, August 12:   Hatil, the leading global furniture brand, enters the Indian market with its first showroom in Zirakpur.

Selim H Rahman, Chairman and Managing Director of Hatil Complex, Bangladesh said that we are excited to enter the Indian market from Punjab and intend to setup nearly 25-30 stores in the country in about three years time.

Hatil is the largest furniture manufacturing company in southeast Asia with 65 franchise stores and five exclusive stores in Bangladesh.   

Hatil has over 80 across the globe in Australia, Bhutan, Canada, Middle East, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and USA, and is eagerly looking forward to expansion in the Indian market with the opening of its first store in Zirakpur, followed by another one in Kolkatta next week, Selim Rahman said.

Hatil has plans to expand in tier-2 cities in India on franchise model, he said, bringing in elegant, contemporary and smart furniture for Indian homes and offices, he said.  

Avan Goel, Director of Kratos Furnishers, and the master franchise of the brand for the entire India except eastern part, informed that in the current financial year, we have plans to open two more outlets in Chandigarh and five in Punjab, i.e. one each in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Bhatinda, and Patiala.

Hatil’s Business Development Advisor Dewan Atif Rashid said the brand has stretched beyond Bangladesh and has earned customers’ trust for its superior quality, craftsmanship and a strong after-sales service.

There is a huge potential for modern furniture in India and in order to meet the demands, the company is also to planning to set up its manufacturing base in India and is looking for potential partners who can conform to its designs and quality parameters to meet the demand, Atif Rashid added.

Marc Pfetzing, Director Asia Pacific of German Schuler Consulting, the technical advisors to Hatil said that the expert individual carpenters are vanishing from the scene and now it is time to move on to mechanized way of producing well-designed and beautifully engineered wood products, which Hatil is doing successfully.

Accompanied by  Shaikh Shafinul Haque, the third Secretary to the High Commission of Bangladesh in India, the directors of Hatil Complex Ltd along with, President of Birla Home Décor’s unit Sutlej Textiles Industries, and other senior dignitaries, opened the first showroom in Zirakpur, to mark its entry in the Indian market.

HATIL traces its root in HA Timber Industries Ltd., a company established in 1966, while HATIL was established in 1989 by Selim H. Rahman, which uses state-of-the-art technical know-how from Germany and other countries, and making it the largest furniture manufacturing facilities in Asia.

The Indian master franchiser led by Avan Goel is an alumnus of Thapar Engineering College, and cofounder of another educational venture, Edvour.