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City Golfer Karandeep Kochhar Scorches Philippines Course, Yet Misses Maiden Asian Tour Title

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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Karandeep Kochhar pictured on February 7, 2026 during Round Three of the Philippine Golf Championship at the Wack Wack Golf & Country Club. PHOTOS By: Graham Uden/Asian Tour
Celebrating his return to the Asian Main Tour with a vengeance, the Chandigarh professional set a course record on the famous East Course at Wack Wack Golf & Country Club, shooting an astounding bogey-free seven under par 65 to take the third-round lead in the Philippine Golf Championship, the maiden tournament of the 2026 tour.
But after playing a scorching round he faltered in the final round with a forgettable five over par 77 to finish fourth on the final order of merit with a tournament total of three under par 285 (74, 69, 65, 77), behind Wooyoung Cho of Korea 11 under par 277 (69, 70, 71, 67), Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand seven under par 281 (72, 71, 68, 70) and Travis Smyth of Australia five under par 283 (70, 69, 71, 73)
The US $ 50,000 prize money tournament was staged from Feb 5-8

According to information available on the official website of the Asian Tour (https://www.asiantour.com/), breaking par on the East Course – respected for being one of the most challenging courses in the region – is in itself an outstanding achievement. And in that context, Karandeep Kochhar’s (course record breaking third round of seven under par 65, therefore, may well remain as the performance of the year on the Asian Tour, even though the Philippine Golf Championship was the season-opening event on the tour.

The professional golfer from Chandigarh, who finished in the top-10 on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit last year to regain his Asian Tour card for 2026 season, sunk seven birdies (one under pars): four in the first six holes, back-to-back ones on 11 and 12 and the final one on the legendary par-three 17th hole that allowed him to break the previous course record by one.

His round could not have come at a more opportune time since the player shooting the lowest score each day of the tournament won a cheque for US$10,000, sponsored by the host club.

Karandeep Kochhar exults after sinking a birdie on 17th hole in the third round of the Philippine Golf Championship that allowed him to break the previous course record at the Wack Wack Golf & Country Club by one.

Karandeep, currently ranked 788 on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), is back to the Asian Tour full time this year after finishing fifth on the ADT Merit list at the conclusion of the 2025 season, during which he won the Egypt Golf Series – Red Sea Open and had a runner-up result in Morocco.

He had impressed on the Asian Tour in 2022 and 2023 but surprisingly lost his card in 2024.

Philippine Golf Championship 2026 title winner Wooyoung Cho of Korea.

According to the Asian Tour website, for Wooyoung Cho of Korea (OWGR Ranking 387) Philippine Golf Championship title was his maiden triumph on the tour, two years after being part of the Korean team that famously claimed the gold medal at the Asian Games.

Championship runner up Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand.

Second placed in the Philippine Golf Championship 2026, Pavit Tangkamolprasert (OWGR Ranking 469) is one of Thailand’s most successful players on the Asian Tour, having triumphed on two occasions: in the 2016 Macau Open and the Sabah Masters, three years later. Both times he won in sudden-death play-offs.

Third placed in the Order of Merit, Travis Smyth of Australia.

Aussie Travis Smyth (OWGR Ranking 335), who finished third in the order of merit in the Philippine Golf Championship 2026, has had quite a few strong performances, including a second-place finish in the International Series England in June 2022. He recorded his breakthrough victory on the Asian Tour at the Yeangder TPC in September 2022.

The next tournament of the 15-event Asian Tour 2026 is the NZ $ 2,000,000 prize money 105th New Zealand Open to be played at the Millbrook Golf Resort in New Zealand from Feb 26 – Mar 1.

Chandigarh Mayor Saurabh Joshi Launches ‘Har Ghar, Har Dwar Swachtha Ki Dastak’ Campaign

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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Chandigarh Mayor Saurabh Joshi (left, wearing face mask due to illness) and Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar lead the door-to-door effort under ‘Har Ghar, Har Dwar Swachtha Ki Dastak’ Campaign launched on Monday (09.02.2026) from Sector 15. PHOTOS By: LifeInChandigarh.com
Aimed at massively improving the city’s dismal segregation of waste at source record. In the latest Swachh Survekshan 2024–2025 report it was estimated at just 14%

Despite earning the second spot countrywide in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–2025 in the ‘Super Swachh League’ (SSL) cities category (cities with between three to ten lakh population), Chandigarh’s achievement in segregation of waste at source remained a dismal 14%.

In an effort to erase that blot on the fair name of the ‘City Beautiful’, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh (MCC) on Monday officially launched its ‘Har Ghar, Har Dwar Swachtha Ki Dastak’ campaign from newly elected Mayor Saurabh Joshi’s own ward in Sector 15 aimed at achieving “behavioural change” in people’s mindsets.

After a formal launch ceremony in the Community Centre in Sector 15, where people from all walks participated, Mayor Saurabh Joshi, accompanied by Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar and other officials, undertook a token house-to-house awareness drive in the vicinity to sensitise residents about the importance of segregating four different categories of waste in their homes, work places and commercial establishments and to prevent littering of waste.

In the coming days and weeks, councillors, municipal officials and workers will undertake this door-to-door exercise in every street and locality to sensitise people about the necessity of segregating waste at source.

Earlier sharing a few examples of exemplary work done in the ward to transform an open area being used as an illegal dumping ground into a jogging park, and a couple of working ladies turning their homes zero waste by recycling all household waste, Saurabh Joshi made an impassioned appeal to the people of the Union territory to commit themselves to ‘Zero Waste’ so that there is no need to have dumping sites like Daddumajra.

He also hinted at a ‘Zero Waste Food Street’ being dedicated to the people in Sector 15 soon.

Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar while admitting that Chandigarh had lagged behind in segregation of waste in the last Swachh Survekshan 2024–2025, pledged the municipal corporation’s firm resolve to achieve the target of 100% processing of segregated waste, which is now possible with the advancements in technology.

He committed to achieving 100% harvesting of legacy waste from the Daddumajra dumping site in another two months and completing processing facilities for all categories of waste within a month.

Officials and members of the general public taking oath committing themselves to the ‘Har Ghar, Har Dwar Swachtha Ki Dastak’ Campaign.

While promising that the municipal corporation will make substantial capital expenditure on upkeep of roads, parks, railings, etc in the coming months to further beautify the city, the municipal commissioner appealed to vehicle owners to make the most of the MC One Parking Pass initiative. He informed that the corporation had already sold 3,000-plus parking passes. Another 7,000 parking passes will ensure that the parking operations are profitable and the targeted 20,000 parking passes will go a long way in meeting the municipal corporation’s overall expenditure, he added.

Currently there are 74 active paid parking sites and efforts are being made to add more.

Municipal Corporation Chandigarh Helplines

Swachh Sawari

Under this initiative as part of the “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (RRR)” Mission, residents can dial any of the following two mobile Nos.: 9041998099, 9815903050 to dispose of their old but reusable items like electrical appliances, electronic gadgets, clothing, footwear, toys, books, glass etc. The MC vehicle will pick up the stuff from your home free of cost.  These will then be transported to the municipal corporation’s RRR store, where these will be refurbished and redistributed through its ‘One Rupee stores’. Each item is made available to the needy at a token cost of Re 1.

‘Maryada’ of idols, portraits of Gods & Goddesses

Residents desirous of disposing of idols, portraits, and other related items associated with gods and goddesses with proper ‘maryada’ can dial a dedicated municipal corporation No. 8146754867 and a vehicle will come and pick up the items, again free of cost.

General complaints WhatsApp No.

9915762917 (for time-bound disposal of complaints related to civic amenities)

 

Blue Tokai Origins Café Opens In HLP Gallerria Mall Mohali; Largest Speciality Coffee Chain Gets Ever Bigger

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters co-founder and COO Shivam Shahi (centre) poses with the team at Blue Tokai Origins cafe in HLP Gallerria Mall, Sector 62, Mohali. PHOTOS By: Blue Tokai & LifeInChandigarh.com
Massive expansion planned – from the current 200-plus company owned company operated stores to 800 by the end of the decade
Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters sources its coffee from the best growers in the country
Elaborate menu of coffees complimented by equally elaborate menu of food and bakery, all made fresh inhouse

Having won the hearts of an ever-increasing community of coffee-lovers across the country in the 13 years it has been in existence (since 2013), India’s largest speciality coffee brand Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters with 200-plus cafes, has opened a third store in Mohali, Blue Tokai Origins, their flagship café experience, at the HLP Gallerria Mall, Sector 62, as part of its massive expansion plan to reach 800 cafes by the end of the decade.

Speaking to your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com, on the sidelines of the media launch event on Saturday (Jan 9, 2026) Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters co-founder and COO Shivam Shahi, who hails from Padrauna, a small town in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, claimed that the secret of their success has been their commitment to work closely with the best coffee growers in the country – from 80-plus coffee estates across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and the North Eastern states – to bring the customers that amazing coffee.

“We freshly roast coffee in our own roasteries in Gurugram, Mumbai and Bengaluru, using state-of-the-art Probat Machines, bringing out a range of unique flavours. Our mission is rooted in making high-quality Indian specialty coffee accessible to more people through our cafes and products. With a commitment to quality and constant innovation, the brand has built a loyal community of coffee lovers and continues to redefine the growing coffee culture in India.”

Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters co-founder and COO Shivam Shahi makes a point at the media launch in Mohali

Talking about the newly opened large format Blue Tokai Origins café at GLP Gallerria Mall, he said: “It is designed as a community-driven space. Cupping, workshops, collaborations, and cultural events position it as a hub for learning and exchange. The space encourages dialogue between baristas and guests, between farmers’ stories and everyday drinkers.”

Isn’t the brand growing too fast, risking its focus on quality and consistency?

Assures Shivam: “With years of putting systems in place we have been able to ensure steady, honest and transparent supply chains. The chain of direct and indirect quality coffee producers we are engaging with is growing. We have adequate capacities in our roasteries. We have a track record of being able to retain the loyalty of our growing workforce and the constant upgradation of our IoT networked systems ensures that every machine and barista is tracked real time for maintaining highest standards of quality and consistency.”

Continuing, he says: “While focusing on increasing footprint in a rapidly growing industry, Origins stands as Blue Tokai’s proof that scale and craft can co-exist. This flagship experience store highlights Indian estates, regional terroirs, and a wide range of brewing methods, reinforcing the brand’s farmer-first philosophy.”

Sections

At The play bar, some of the rarest coffee lots roasted by Blue Tokai, frozen at peak flavour, are preserved in a temperature-controlled space. Guests can taste their way through seven distinct brewing methods, including Chemex, Syphon, Slow Drip, and more.

Adding to this experience is the Nitro cold brew tap, serving chilled, nitrogen-infused single-origin cold brew crafted using patented technology that extracts a wider range of flavour
compounds.

A Comfort-First, Craft-Led Menu

Apart from an extensive menu of high-quality coffees with a rich taste and aroma, the café offers an equally elaborate menu of complimentary food and bakery products, all made fresh inhouse.

The menu is designed in collaboration with Chef Auroni Mukherjee, one of India’s most celebrated young chefs, known for his flavour-first approach to modern Indian cuisine.

Highlights include:

  • Handmade pastas with twists such as Chilli Crunch Carbonara
  • Gourmet club sandwiches and open-faced toasts built on signature sourdough

breads by Suchali’s Artisan Bakehouse

  • A selection of desserts featuring familiar comforts and sweet surprises such as classic tiramisu
    and a light-yet-decadent Coconut Berry Lamington

For more information, visit bluetokaicoffee.com

OnePlus First Exclusive Premium Mobile Store In Mohali At HLP Gallerria Mall 

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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Special inaugural deals on OnePlus flagship series mobiles and other devices
Additional festive gifts on spinning the wheel

It may currently not be among the top 5 bestselling smartphone brands in India, but OnePlus is fast reinventing itself to regain its robust share of the market and the tag of ‘flagship killer’ it enjoyed not so long ago, when it was challenging the dominance of Apple and Samsung and emerging as an alternative.

Confident of recapturing the imagination of its tech-savvy youth customer fan base, with its newer offerings, especially the latest launch – the OnePlus 15R – the company has embarked on an expansion of its offline presence from the existing countrywide chain of 87 exclusive retail stores.

As part of this offline expansion, OnePlus launched its exclusive premium retail store in HLP Gallerria mall, Sector 62, Mohali on Monday (Dec 22), increasing the number of stores in Chandigarh and Punjab to four, the earlier ones being in Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jalandhar.

Interacting exclusively with your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com at the launch, R. Dominic Nandesh Kumar, Operations Head (Retail), OnePlus India, informed that 2-3 more stores are expected to be opened in Punjab soon for which the company is scouting for prime locations.

Among others present were Gagan Marwaha, Regional Sales Manager (Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana), OnePlus; Parminder, City Manager, OnePlus; and Harman Preet Kaur, Store Manager.

Spread across 800 sq ft, the new store brings the entire OnePlus product ecosystem under one roof, from mobiles, to tablets, to IoT devices, offering customers an immersive hands-on experience.

The Mohali store comes in the middle of the all-pervading festive spirt in anticipation of Christmas and the New Year and coincides with the commencement of sale of the newest flagship series smartphone from the OnePlus stable – the OnePlus 15R.

The company claims that OnePlus 15R is the first smartphone across all brands to launch with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, co-developed with Qualcomm, the chip maker.

The phone pairs the new chip with a 165 Hz display, massive 7400 mAh battery, three-layered cooling system and IP 68, 69 and 69K certification, offering enhanced dust and water resistance for added durability.

According to Qualcomm, Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 mobile platform is a masterpiece of performance, delivering state-of-the-art experiences and personalized Agentic AI.

Fueled by the 3rd gen Qualcomm® Oryon™ CPU, the fastest mobile CPU in the world, this powerhouse ushers in record-breaking speeds and unmatched efficiency. Users can enjoy seamless performance from lightning-fast app launches and instantaneous multi-tasking to fast-paced gameplay and responsive mobile content creation, as per Qualcomm’s assertion.

Special inaugural deals

To celebrate the store launch, customers can avail several exciting inaugural deals, which include free Nord Buds 3 Pro (worth ₹3,699) with the purchase of the OnePlus 15; and free Nord Buds 3 (worth ₹2,699) with the purchase of OnePlus 13 and 13S series phones and the newly launched 15R.

OnePlus Nord Wireless Bullets (worth ₹2,299) on select purchases are also on offer besides additional discounts and cashback offers across the product range.

A highlight of the launch phase of the new outlet is the ‘Spin the Wheel’ installation inside the store. Every visitor can spin the wheel and win a complimentary gift based on where the arrow lands, making the visit both rewarding and memorable.

For more on OnePlus: https://www.oneplus.in/

Golfing Community Raises Toast To Karandeep Kochhar For Recent Run Of Successes

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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Karandeep Kochhar with the trophy after winning the Egypt Series Tour - Red Sea Open. FILE Photos: Courtesy Asian Tour
Now needs to continue the momentum into higher level of competition on the main Asian Tour, to which he has earned an automatic re-entry basis his 5th ranking at the conclusion of the Asian Development Tour season 2025. He had lost the main Asian Tour card on the back of a rough and uninspiring 2024 season

Nine years ago, at age 17 years, this Chandigarh lad made Indian golf history, when participating in his first professional event as an amateur, he won the PGTI (Professional Golfers Tour of India) Players Championship at Tollygunge. He not only became the first Indian amateur to win on the PGTI but also the youngest golfer to do so at age 17 years and 163 days, soon after which he turned professional in 2017.

Today, at age 26 years, he is a multiple winner on PGTI and has won titles on the ADT (Asian Development Tour) and cricket great Yuvraj Singh co-promoted recently launched IGPL (Indian Golfers Premier League), to which he has moved on from the PGTI.

Now he is preparing to take another shot at the highly competitive main Asian Tour, to which he has received an automatic re-entry basis his 5th position finish on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) season 2025 final Order of Merit after having lost his tour card on the back of a rough and uninspiring 2024 season.

Last week the golfing community raised a toast to Karandeep Kochhar at a luncheon gathering, organised in his honour jointly by his grandfather Dr GS Kochhar and well-known ophthalmologist Dr SPS Grewal in the lawns of Chandigarh Club to applaud his recent run of good form, resulting in a 5th position finish on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) season 2025 rankings after the season finale, the US$ 250,000 Aramco Invitational in Saudi Arabia.

The 5th spot in the ADT season ranking, powered by two peak finishes in the 10 appearances he made on the tour in 2025 – a win at the Egypt Golf Series – Red Sea Open last month and a runner-up at Morocco Rising Stars 1 earlier in June – sealed for Karandeep an automatic spot on the coveted main 2026 Asian Tour with $43,508 in earnings. He’ll return to the main tour after a gap having slipped into poor form through 2024, following a good run in 2023.

With this, he has become the third straight Indian to graduate to the main Asian Tour via the ADT rankings route, following Yuvraj Sandhu in 2023 and Rahil Gangjee in 2024.

Karandeep Kochhar with parents (to his right) and grandparents.

Speaking exclusively with your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com, Karandeep, who took his baby steps in golf at a tender age of four years with his grandfather, who was playing a tournament then, said while playing at the highest international level on the PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) Tour is the ultimate goal of every professional golfer, he prefers to set short term goals at a time, and achieve them before looking ahead. “For the next two years I will concentrate on participating in and doing well on the main Asian Tour”, he added.

While profusely acknowledging the vital role played by his coach since childhood Jesse Grewal and his fitness trainer Sagar Diwan in shaping his golfing career, Karandeep said “I consider myself equally fortunate to be from Chandigarh because it has given me the opportunity to play alongside and learn from top golfers like main Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar.”

Among others whom he expressed his gratefulness for what he is today, apart from his “highly supportive family”, are top professional Shiv Kapur and cricket great turned co-promoter of recently launched IGPL Yuvraj Singh.

About preparing for the challenges ahead, Karandeep said “extensive travel and participation in tournaments (he has competed in 32 tournaments this year) puts a heavy load on the body and mind. Therefore, I’m concentrating on maintaining peak physical fitness and trying to remain injury-free. Mental conditioning to remain calm and composed in pressure situations is another area of focus for which I am receiving professional help,” he added.

Refusing to be drawn into the controversy surrounding the newly launched IGPL being a rival or challenge to the more established PGTI, Karandeep confessed that it was a very difficult decision for him to make, having to choose between continuing PGTI and switching to IGPL. It took me a good month and a half to arrive at a final decision to go with IGPL. In hindsight I believe I made the right move. It gives me greater flexibility to play the main Asian Tour and return to IGPL as and when possible. Plus, it offers greater financial support,” he shared.

Karandeep Kochhar’s guidance for parents of budding golfers is “let the children enjoy. Don’t push them too hard and expect early success because they run the risk of burning out at a very young age.” He was however happy to note that the “story is changing. Parents are increasingly playing a supportive role, as they should. They are realising that modern day kids may not want what their parents want or expect of them to do. By pushing them too hard they run the risk of breaking that fragile bond, that personal relationship.”

“One thing which I have learnt over time from my senior and mentors, and which has kept me in good stead, is to trust the process, stay the course, and results will come,” he added further.

Some of Karandeep Kochhar’s Career Highlights

2016

  • Won the All India Amateur
  • India’s No. 1 junior with four titles, including the Eastern India Junior
  • Represented India at international events such as Jakarta Junior World Championship, Asia Junior Championship and the Junior Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in USA
  • Won the PGTI Players Championship at Tollygunge as an amateur in his first appearance in a professional tournament

His other PGTI wins

  • TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship Presented by Chandigarh Golf Club 2020
  • Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational Presented by TAKE 2020
  • Gujarat Open Golf Championship 2022 presented by Gujarat Tourism

2017

  • In his rookie season as a professional, secured tied second place at the Asian Tour’s Panasonic Open India and tied fourth place at the PGTI’s TAKE Open Golf Championship

2018

  • Posted three top-10s on the PGTI to finish 9th on the PGTI money list. His best result during the season was runner-up at the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational 2018 Presented by TAKE.

2019

  • Six top-10s on the PGTI, helping him take the 4th place on the PGTI Order of Merit. His top results included second place at the INDO-MIM Presents Bengaluru Open 2019 Powered by Karnataka Tourism, third place at the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational 2019 Presented by TAKE and tied third at the Bengal Open
  • Claimed tied 10th place at the Asian Tour’s Yeangder TPC 2019

2020-21

  • Finished 2nd in the 2020-21 PGTI Order of Merit, registering two wins and seven other top-10s. His wins came at the TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship Presented by Chandigarh Golf Club and the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational 2020 Presented by TAKE. He also took second place at the TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship 2020 Presented by Panchkula Golf Club and the Golconda Masters Telangana Open 2021 presented by Vooty & Haldi.

2022

  • Won the Gujarat Open Golf Championship 2022 presented by Gujarat Tourism. Six other top-10s during the season, including a runner-up finish at the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational 2022 presented by TAKE, which saw him finish 5th on the PGTI’s money list in 2022.

2025

  • Win on the ADT at the Egypt Golf Series – Red Sea Open
  • Runner-up at Morocco Rising Stars 1
  • Maiden IGPL victory at the IGPL Invitational UAE in Dubai
  • Runner-up finish at the IGPL Invitational Kolkata

Literary Fest At Firststeps School-26: Authors’ Message – ‘One Who Reads Well, Writes Well’

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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ALL SMILES: (from left to right) Muthamma; Deepta Vivekanand; Marvin Choudhary, Head of Cambridge at Firststeps School; Jasbir Kaur, Principal of Firststeps School; Asha Nehemiah; Vidya Mani; Shyam Madhavan Sarada; and Meghaa Gupta. PHOTOS Courtesy: Firststeps School-26

The occasion brought together thoughtful and engaging children’s literature books, leading children’s authors and storytellers, and young readers for a shared reading experience, a welcome departure from the routine solitary reading.

The first day of a 3-day ‘Paper Trails Literary Fest – 2025’, organised by one of Chandigarh tricity’s first International Baccalaureate (IB) schools – Firststeps School in Sector 26 Chandigarh – on its campus, witnessed absorbing storytelling sessions, illustration activity for book covers, book readings and more.

The purpose of the lit fest – to reinforce the importance of reading and writing among children – was served well with accomplished visiting children’s literature writers of the likes of Asha Nehemiah, Meghaa Gupta, Vidya Mani, Shyam Madhavan Sarada aka Greystroke and storyteller Deeptha Vivekanand admirably firing the imagination and curiosity of the students.

Students also remained glued to a travelling children’s bookshop, arranged by Funky Rainbow, India’s only independent bookshop with an exclusive focus on Indian children’s books, showcasing a range of books, especially those authored by the visiting authors, illustrators and storytellers.

The bookshop, which has outlets in Bangalore and Mysore, claims its collection of books is hand-picked by writers, illustrators and editors for children between ages 0 to 18 years. The collection is curated to represent the best of Indian children’s writing because it believes that books by Indian writers work well for children in terms of connection, discoveries and experiences.

Author Asha Nehemiah in one of the sessions

Interacting with your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com on the sidelines of the literary fest, the visiting writers gave insights into how the children’s literature books are curated to attract their attention, enjoy what they are reading, inculcate a love for reading and also encourage them to start exploring their thoughts and eventually weaving their own stories from their own environments, thoughts, reads, and experiences. The catch phrase of the writers during the entire media interaction was “one who reads well, writes well”.

The authors and storytellers emphasised that now there is no dearth of good original Indian children’s books. The need is for greater number of parents and children to be made aware of their availability and persuaded to access these as per their choice, in print or digital form. Interactive literary fests, like this one in Firststeps School, are a good way of inculcating reading and writing habits among children, and these are increasingly becoming popular in schools which are in tune with contemporary times, they added.

Editor Vidya Mani interacting with the students

“Let children be children, natural and free flowing. Parents and teachers should consciously avoid giving stress to children by badgering them about perpetually being in competition and instead create an enabling environment in which they grow organically, explore and indulge in whatever interests them.

“Let them be curious about things, ask as many questions as come to their mind, that will bring out the originality in them. And children’s literature books with elements of interesting characters, humour, mystery, adventure, and more, are their best friends, sparking curiosity, critical thinking, empathy for others, finding inspiration from characters and situations to understand societal issues and find solutions,” was the visiting writers’ collective parting message.

Students are all ears to Shyam Madhavan Sarada aka Greystroke

Principal of the school, Jasbir Kaur shared that Firststeps is an International Baccalaureate (IB) school where “We move beyond rote memorization to deep conceptual understanding and real-world application. It offers IB Primary Years Programme till Grade V and Cambridge International Examination from Grade VI onwards.”

Prior to the literary fest, school students participated in poetry and writing activities all month long and have also prepared a showcase to exhibit their enquiry cycle based on literature, she added.

She also announced that the school management will soon be opening an IB School in Panchkula as well.

Brief profiles of some of the visiting authors

Asha Nehemiah: Has authored a bevy of children’s books like ‘The Rajah’s Moustache’; ‘Granny’s Sari’; ‘Mrs Woolly’s Funny Sweaters’; ‘Thieves and AHA! Adventures’ among many more.

Meghaa Gupta: Is known for her history series on Independent India published by Penguin Random House.

Vidya Mani: Is an editor and children’s writer. She runs a content and design studio called ‘Melting Pot’. She has edited children’s magazines like Chatterbox, Quest, Junior Quest, Hoot and Toot.

Shyam Madhavan Sarada aka Greystroke: Is an illustrator, cartoonist, art director, publisher. His book ‘Wailers Three’, published by Pratham Books, is a CBSE recommended reader for English for the Kendriya Vidyalaya schools.

PizzaExpress Now Open In Elante Chandigarh; Enjoy All-Day Dining With UK’s No. 1 Pizzeria

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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PHOTOS By: LifeInChandigarh.com & GIPL

Pizzaiolos continue to remain at the very heart of its “beautifully simple” menu, but beyond pizzas, UK’s No. 1 Pizzeria and a global Britalian icon ‘PizzaExpress’ now has a complete all-day dining offering: its world-famous dough balls, rice bowls, fresh salads, lasagne, risottos, hand-made pastas, Italian sandwiches (Piadina), handcrafted desserts such as tiramisu, sticky toffee pudding, mango cheesecake, and gelato, and not to forget a child-friendly Piccolo Menu with activity packs.

A refreshed beverage programme, featuring cocktails, mocktails, sangrias, a carefully selected range of coffees, and a curated wine list round out the menu.

After guests in Mohali (CP-67 mall) from a year and a half ago, and more recently in Ludhiana (Downtown Market, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar) popularly embraced the brand’s “blend of authenticity, freshness, and flair”, PizzaExpress has made a triumphant entry into Chandigarh, on the third floor of the city’s hottest melting pot, Nexus Elante Mall.

This opening marks Pizza Express’ 37th restaurant in India and extends the brand’s 60-year legacy to the country’s most iconic architectural marvel of a city and North India’s most discerning and well-travelled markets. Amritsar and Jalandhar are “next chapters” in the brand’s North India growth story as it stays on track to reach a milestone of 50 restaurants by FY 2026–27. Locations are also being scouted for future entry into Panchkula and Zirakpur.

The brand has been brought to India by Gourmet Investments Private Limited (GIPL), the food and beverage vertical of Bharti Family Office, which is also the India partners for other renowned international restaurant brands like Chili’s and PF Chang’s.

In his media message at the opening of the Chandigarh restaurant, Ramit Bharti Mittal, Chairman and Director, GIPL, said: “PizzaExpress has grown into a globally loved dining experience across 13 countries, and we’re delighted to bring this heritage to Chandigarh. The city values authenticity and craft, which is exactly what PizzaExpress stands for. Our Britalian identity, iconic menu, and commitment to quality align beautifully with the way Chandigarh dines. This launch is also a key step in our strategic North India expansion.”

Jerry Thomas, Culinary Head – Restaurants, GIPL (right) and Kumar Asit, India CEO, PizzaExpress, showcase the menu highlights and brand signatures at the newly opened PizzaExpress restaurant in Nexus Elante Mall, Chandigarh
PizzaExpress interiors in Chandigarh
Striped-uniformed pizzaiolos at work in the signature open kitchen at PizzaExpress restaurant in Nexus Elante Mall, Chandigarh

Speaking to your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com at a select media preview on Wednesday (Dec 3, 2025), Jerry Thomas, Culinary Head – Restaurants, GIPL, shared: “Our cuisine philosophy has always been beautifully simple. With our Pizzaiolos at the heart of everything, the dough remains the hero. Fresh ingredients, treated with respect, create flavours that stay consistent around the world.

“While our core never changes, innovation is part of the PizzaExpress DNA. That’s why international favourites like the Leggera, a lighter, under-600-calorie innovation endorsed by the Weight Watchers Society, perfect for fitness enthusiasts, sit comfortably alongside local adaptations. For Chandigarh, we’ve crafted dishes such as the Spicy American Hottest, Padrino, and Chicken & Paneer Coriander Pesto, developed to suit the flavour preferences of Indian guests.”

Kumar Asit, India CEO, PizzaExpress, felt that “Chandigarh’s love for good food, modern design, and elevated dining fits seamlessly with the PizzaExpress ethos. The opening of our 2nd restaurant in the tricity signals strong appetite here for premium casual dining. After Mohali, Ludhiana and Chandigarh, Amritsar and Jalandhar will be the next chapters in our North India growth story and with this, we are firmly on track to reach a milestone of 50 restaurants by FY 2026–27.”

Calabrese Veg : Char-grilled vegetables and black olives mixed with finely chopped red chillies, jalapeños, red & yellow peppers & mozzarella, finished with baby mozzarella and rocket, mixed with pesto & Emilgrana cheese

Sharing further details, Jerry Thomas said: “The Chandigarh menu stays rooted in PizzaExpress’ heritage while embracing flavours that suit the Indian palate. At its heart are the three signature bases: Classic, Romana and newly launched Naples; carrying global favourites such as the Romana, Queen Margherita, Lava, American Hot and the Michelin-star-created Calabrese, a bold rectangular pizza born from the brand’s culinary collaboration with chef Francesco Mazzei.  The Romana brings that iconic thin, stretched, crisp base PizzaExpress is loved for, while the new Naples base offers a softer, fuller, more indulgent bite inspired by the pizzerias of southern Italy.”

IL Padrino Leggera : Grilled chicken, roasted tomatoes, char-grilled vegetables on a tomato and pesto base, with baby mozzarella

At the heart of these signatures is the brand’s iconic tomato passata, claimed to be made exclusively for PizzaExpress by the Greci family in Italy, using San Marzano tomatoes crushed within 12 hours of harvest and finished with a basil leaf for the unmistakable flavour the brand is known for worldwide.

Alongside these icons are local adaptations crafted specially for India, including the Spicy Grilled Chicken Pizza, Chicken Coriander Pesto Pizza and Tandoori Chicken Pizza, each designed to “echo the region’s love for bold, vibrant flavours”. And because Punjab loves its chicken, the menu also features wings in four styles: crispy fried wings, smoky BBQ wings, classic hot wings and creamy red jalapeño hot wings.

Bringing the brand’s story to life is the signature open kitchen, where guests can watch the striped-uniformed Pizzaiolos hand craft every base with flair, tossing them up with precision and theatre.

Crispy Hot Wings: Fried crispy wings tossed in hot, spicy guntur chilli sauce and butter
Doppio Dough Balls : A double portion of famous dough balls served with a trio of dips: pesto, pesto rosso and garlic butter
Indi- Meat Piadina – Naples Style street Sandwich: East meets west in this bold piadina sandwich, featuring malai and tandoori tikka, creamy baby mozzarella, and coriander pesto in every bite
Queen Margherita- Romana: A whole creamy burrata, on mozzarella base. Finished with fresh basil and shaved Emilgrana
Sticky Toffee Pudding : A warm decadent pudding infused with rich toffee, silky caramel sauce, and crowned with a scoop of vanilla Gelato

GB Realty Unveils Box Price, Lucrative 1 % Monthly Payment Plan For Opus One New Chandigarh

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0
GB Realty Founder & Chairman Gurinder Bhatti (right) addressing a media meet in Chandigarh on Monday (December 1, 2025) to announce the box price and lucrative payment plan for the recently launched luxury residential project Opus One in New Chandigarh. On his right is Jatinder Bajwa, Vice President, GB Realty. PHOTO Credit: GB Realty

In a path-breaking initiative in the North India market, the reputed Optas Group, a multi-nation conglomerate with interests in luxury hospitality, global student mobility, education, media, and infotainment, and which has made a most recent entry in the luxury real estate arena with GB Realty, has announced a lucrative ‘1 % Monthly Luxury Home Payment Plan’ for its recently launched luxury project Opus One in the new real estate hotspot New Chandigarh.

In an effort to make luxury projects more accessible to aspiring Indians, the developer has taken inspiration from some of the bigger players in the other real estate hotspots in the country and beyond, to offer the ‘1 % Monthly Luxury Home Payment Plan’ under which a buyer pays 20% price of the 3,000 sq ft 3 BHK, 4,500 sq ft 4 BHK, and 5,500 sq ft 5 BHK ultra luxury residences upfront  as down payment, followed by up to 1 per cent monthly pay-outs for 42 months. This completes 40 % of the total payment due. The balance 60 % is to be paid on possession.

Opus One is GB Realty’s maiden luxury residential project on GMADA (Greater Mohali Area Development Authority) auctioned 8.75 acres land parcel in Ecocity Two, abutting the main arterial road in New Chandigarh.

Touted as the first GMADA ‘Iconic Certified’ RERA approved project in New Chandigarh, Opus One has also been awarded Indian Green Building Council (IGBC)’s Platinum rating, the first project in New Chandigarh to receive this certification.

The Opus One project, heavy earthwork for which has picked up pace, is promised to be delivered in December 2029 – in 4 years flat.

With the declaration of the ‘1 % Monthly Luxury Home Payment Plan’ and a Box Price of Rs 12,250 per square foot, which includes fully finished residences (movable furniture as per taste of buyer), dedicated car parking/s (one for 3 BHK, 2 for 4 BHK and 3 for 5 BHK), 100% power backup, clubhouse membership, interest-free maintenance security (IFMS), etc, the company has formally opened bookings for the project, though informally expression of interest had already been invited from prospective buyers.

Sharing the details of the path-breaking payment plan on December 1, the first anniversary of GB Realty’s establishment, at a media meet in Chandigarh, as promised, GB Realty’s Founder and Chairman Gurinder Bhatti said “We have designed the 1 % Monthly Luxury Home Payment Plan keeping middle and upper middle class aspirational buyers in mind. We feel that luxury should not remain a privilege of the rich, it must also be accessible to aspirational Indians.”

Vouching for transparency and best practices, Bhatti claimed that the 1% plan brings clarity, removes hidden conditions, and helps families plan their finances comfortably over four years while boosting confidence in the luxury real estate market.

He maintained that traditionally real estate developers have been hesitant in investing upfront on their own and putting the financial onus nearly completely on the buyer. “In this plan we have taken it upon ourselves, and we are happy to have bucked the trend. We have made the initial 37% investment in the project by way of land and other costs from our own funds, and the customers’ contributions will take care of the construction costs.

“The model ensures that the builder is paid last, placing responsibility for timely delivery squarely on the developer and strengthening buyer confidence in a market where trust is paramount. Our focus is on making enabling provisions for the prospective residents of Opus One,” he asserted.

Bhatti was accompanied at the media meet by GB Realty Vice President Jatinder Bajwa.

The project brings together some of the noted design and planning minds, including Principal Architect Tripat Girdhar, Founder/MD of Chandigarh-based Arete Design Studio, acclaimed for designing landmark projects in Mohali, Zirakpur, Ludhiana and Bangalore.

The landscape architecture is being handled by PLA, the landscape and design collective based in Bangkok, Thailand, which has executed well kwon projects like The Oberoi and The Leela in New Delhi, and closer home The Oberoi Sukhvilas in New Chandigarh.

Lighting & Visual Planners based in New South Wales, Australia is taking care of lighting design at Opus One. The firm is famous for its involvement in iconic projects like The Opera House in Sydney and Jal Mahal, Jaipur.

International creative collective Interior Design Consultants Singapore has been engaged for designing the interiors of the project. This Singapore-based firm has among other big projects excelled in designing the interiors The Ritz Carlton, Macau.

Opus One is a sustainable development, with 79% of the land parcel dedicated to green landscapes, and the remaining only 21% to built-up area. With nearly 700 hyper-luxury residences to be housed in 11 residential towers soaring up to 32 floors, when completed in December 2029, Opus One will showcase New Chandigarh’s tallest residential towers.

Among the dozens of upmarket features and amenities promised in Opus One are:

  • All weather swimming pool
  • World class luxury spa
  • Outdoor gym
  • Host of sporting facilities
  • Retail plaza
  • Senior citizen-friendly zone
  • Multi-purpose party hall
  • EV charging stations
  • Dedicated car washing areas
  • Swipe card access to lobbies and lifts
  • Home automation
  • Emergency alarm and panic button in each residence
  • Butler on call
  • 24×7 ambulance service
  • 24×7 laundry service

For queries: 90889-90889

Livasa Hospital Mohali Crosses Milestone With 500+ Neuronavigation Surgeries

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0
Doctors claim this technology has become indispensable for treating brain tumours, complex spinal disorders, traumatic injuries and other high-risk neurosurgical conditions, enabling smaller incisions, reduced tissue disruption and quicker recovery

Livasa Hospitals, one of the largest chains of super-speciality hospitals in Punjab, with presence in five cities – Mohali, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Khanna, claims to have achieved a milestone by performing 500-plus navigation-guided neurosurgeries (also called neuronavigation surgeries) in its Mohali hospital.

Neuronavigation uses a computer-assisted system that provides surgeons real-time and three-dimensional guidance during brain and spine surgeries akin to a GPS. It uses pre-operative medical imaging like MRI and CT scans to help surgeons with greater accuracy in locating and removing tumours, placing screw, or performing biopsies.

It also helps surgeons precisely locate important structures, plan the safest path, and accurately track their instruments to minimize damage to healthy tissue. This enhances surgical accuracy, safety, and efficacy, enabling procedures on deep-seated lesions and supporting minimally invasive techniques.

Dr Vineet Saggar, Director – Neuro & Spine Surgery (middle), flanked on his right by Dr Ajay Singh, Consultant – Neurosurgery, and Sunil Kumar, Marketing Head, Livasa Hospital Mohali pose for a photograph at a media briefing in Chandigarh on Thursday (20.11.2025). PHOTO By: Livasa Hospital

Briefing media persons about the landmark achievement, Dr Vineet Saggar, Director – Neuro & Spine Surgery, and Dr Ajay Singh, Consultant – Neurosurgery, Livasa Hospital Mohali, explained how neuro-navigation works and why it has become an essential tool for modern neurosurgical practice.

They said unlike in conventional surgery in which the incision in the skull and brain is much bigger, in neuronavigation it is significantly smaller. Post-operation, the patient is usually discharged in a day or two, unlike in conventional surgery where the hospitalisation extends up to 10-12 days post-surgery.

The doctors asserted that this way the neuronavigation method, apart from being minimally invasive, more accurate, and safer with reduced collateral damage to healthy tissues, also proves less expensive, because every additional day of hospitalisation adds to the bill. The overall package of neuronavigation surgery comes to around Rs 3-4 lakh against Rs 10-12 lakh in case of conventional neurosurgery, they added.

Dr Saggar shared that the technology has become indispensable for treating brain tumours, complex spinal disorders, traumatic injuries and other high-risk neurosurgical conditions, enabling smaller incisions, reduced tissue disruption and quicker recovery.

Both surgeons emphasised that surpassing 500 cases is the result of a deeply coordinated effort across neurosurgery, anaesthesia, radiology, the operating theatre team, nursing units and critical care. They noted that every successful case reflects the dedication of specialists working together with a shared commitment to patient safety.

Benefits of neuronavigation

  • Increased precision:

Allows surgeons to target lesions and structures with greater accuracy, especially in complex or deep-seated areas.

  • Enhanced safety:

Helps surgeons avoid critical structures like nerves and arteries.

  • Minimally invasive surgery:

Supports smaller incisions and approaches, which can lead to reduced recovery time, less pain, and lower infection risk.

  • Improved planning:

Enables more accurate surgical path planning before and during the operation.

  • Real-time feedback:

Provides continuous information to the surgeon throughout the procedure, allowing him to  adjust as needed.

The team

The neuro team at Livasa Hospital Mohali is led by Dr Vineet Saggar, an experienced neurosurgeon specialising in complex brain and spine procedures, and Dr Ajay Singh, Consultant – Neurosurgery, known for his expertise in tumour surgery, trauma management and advanced spinal interventions. Together, the hospital claims they have built one of the region’s most trusted neurosurgical units, supported by modern technology and consistent protocol-based practice.

About

Livasa Hospital Mohali, a 230-bed tertiary care centre offering over 25 specialties, claims that it continues to strengthen its reputation as a regional hub for advanced brain and spine surgery, delivering accessible, high-quality care to patients across Chandigarh tricity and neighbouring states.

Chandigarh School Prodigy Nidhi Rana Among 5 Presented Rotary Young Achievers Award

By
Sanjeev Kochhar
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0
Chandigarh's school prodigy Nidhi Rana poses with the Rotary Young Achievers Award 2025, in New Delhi. PHOTOS By: Rotary International
Award presented at the Rotary Institute ‘Tejas – Wings of Change’ in New Delhi by Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo

Nidhi Rana, a Class XII science student of Pandit Mohan Lal SD Public School, Sector 32, Chandigarh and a member of Interact Club, one of Rotary International’s youth service programmes for ages 14-18 to develop leadership skills, has been honoured with the Rotary Young Achievers Award, only one of five youth to receive it pan India for 2025.

Nidhi and the other four received a prize of ₹1,00,000, citation and trophy from Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo at the Rotary Institute ‘Tejas – Wings of Change’ in Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi last weekend for their exceptional contributions to innovation and community leadership.

According to Rotarian Abha Joshi Sharma, president of Rotary Club Chandigarh, out of 245 applicants, Nidhi made it to the top 5 awarded achievers pan India. Abha Joshi had forwarded Nidhi’s entry from among Interact members who applied for the awards.

In a social media post the PML SD Public School said school principal Monica Sharma, having given Nidhi the impetus to forward her name for the award, expressed immense exhilaration over her achievement.

Sharing further details, the Rotary Club Chandigarh president said Nidhi, an internationally recognised young entrepreneur, is the co-founder of StepTern, TetraCaps, and the EcoFlow Initiative, ventures spanning AI-powered education, circular-economy furniture design, and sustainable water engineering.

She has earned accolades at the Young Founders Summit and multiple national business and innovation competitions, including serving as a Biz-AI Judge at the Axom Youth Innovation Fest. The award-winning innovator is also a ML (machine learning) scholar, two-time Best Delegate at national MUNs (Model United Nations), and volunteer with organisations like Access Life, which supports cancer brave hearts, and Antigone, a youth-led non-profit organization that strives to work toward gender equality and women’s empowerment. ‎

The youth prodigy’s profile does not end there. She is a state-level graphic design competition winner, certified coder, and machine-learning practitioner trained under Stanford, Google, and Harvard programmes.

Her social impact work includes volunteering with Access Life and Antigone, where she also led fundraising initiatives. As Ex-Chartered Interact Club Vice-President, and founder of The Rhetoric League, she has redefined student leadership.

Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo presenting the Rotary Young Achievers Award to Chandigarh school prodigy Nidhi Rana in New Delhi.

Other Rotary Young Achievers awardees 2025

Akarshana Sathish, founder of ‘The Open Libraries,’ championed literacy by establishing 24 libraries to make books accessible to underserved communities.
Aneesha Narain, a Paul Harris Fellow, has been recognized for her multifaceted humanitarian service, including the impactful Project OGAAN.
Bhavini Bhargava, an international bestselling author whose evocative poetry collection, ‘Unheard,’ has garnered over 30 global awards.
Suhana Saini, a world-ranked Table Tennis prodigy, with multiple World Championship medals and achieving World No. 1 in U19 Girls Doubles.

Inspiring Change Maker awardees

Pushpa Priya — an IT professional and dedicated volunteer from Bengaluru who has served as a compassionate scribe for 1500+ visually impaired students
Dr. Aparna Deshmukh — founder of Abhamaya Old Age Home in Pune, where for over 15 years she has created a sanctuary of dignity and care for abandoned and destitute elders, nurturing more than 70 residents as her own family.
Rudra Prasad Mohapatra — former Junior Warrant Officer of the Indian Air Force, honoured for his continued service to society through veteran welfare, disaster relief, healthcare support, environmental conservation, and community empowerment.

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