09082026-LSTL-01.qxd 08-08-2026 20:34 Page 1 c m y b RAMANDEEP WEDS CHARLIE Cricketer Ramandeep Singh, who plays for Punjab in domestic cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, married actress Charlie Chauhan. TRIBUNE Hospitalised Life Balika Vadhu actor Avika Gor has been hospitalised after testing positive for Dengue, following five days of high fever, her husband Milind Chandwani revealed. LUDHIANA | SUNDAY | 9 AUGUST 2026 The Meenamma Effect When Chennai Express released in 2013, its NorthSouth love story became a talking point. While many viewers criticised the film’s stereotypical portrayal of South India, one thing that won almost universal admiration was Meenamma’s saree wardrobe. Draped in vibrant Kanjeevarams, soft cottons and elegant South Indian weaves, Deepika Padukone’s Meenamma turned every saree into a style statement, earning the character’s ethnic looks a devoted following of their own. Here’s revisiting some of Meenamma’s most iconic saree moments from Chennai Express. As Chennai Express turns 13, we revisit Deepika Padukone’s most memorable on-screen saree looks that won hearts Bright hues, timeless appeal This vibrant combination of pink, orange and yellow perfectly represented Meenamma’s lively spirit. The colourful drape, subtle makeup and traditional styling made it one of the film’s most memorable everyday saree looks. The classic red & gold Kanjeevaram Bright yet balanced, this Elegant, graceful and unmistakably South Indian, the white-and-gold Kasavu saree remains a timeless classic. Paired with jasmine flowers, minimal gold jewellery and a soft smile, this look continues to be among Deepika’s most loved ethnic appearances. Rich maroon tones paired with an intricate blue border gave this saree a regal presence. Worn during one of the film’s emotional moments, the look beautifully balanced simplicity with sophistication. Grace met simplicity in this powder blue chiffon saree. With delicate borders, understated jewellery and loose waves, this look highlighted Meenamma’s softer, quieter moments while remaining effortlessly elegant. The orange and blue border saree The timeless white & gold Kasavu saree The deep maroon saree The powder blue chiffon saree Nothing captures traditional South Indian elegance quite like a rich red Kanjeevaram saree. Paired with classic temple jewellery and a neatly tied gajra, this remains one of the film’s most festive and visually striking looks. personality, making it one of the most heartwarming frames from the film. The green and mustard travel saree orange saree with contrasting blue borders became another standout in Meenamma’s wardrobe. Styled with a bindi, gold earrings and a simple hairstyle, it beautifully reflected the character’s rooted charm. Sunshine in yellow One of the happiest moments in the film was matched with one of Meenamma’s brightest looks. The vibrant yellow saree with orange accents perfectly captured her cheerful Whether stepping off a train or navigating a new journey, Meenamma’s green-andmustard saree stood out for its practicality and charm. It perfectly summed up the character’s simplicity while adding another unforgettable look to her wardrobe. VATS: A revolution in chest surgery Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) has transformed thoracic surgery by offering a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open procedures. This technique enhances recovery, minimizes hospital stays, and reduces trauma, making it a preferred choice for treating lung and chest diseases. What is VATS? VATS is a surgical technique used to diagnose and treat diseases of the lungs, pleura, esophagus, and mediastinum. Unlike open thoracotomy, which requires large incisions and rib spreading, VATS involves small (1–2 cm) incisions through which a tiny camera (thoracoscope) and instruments are inserted. This enables precise visualization and surgical intervention with minimal tissue disruption. Common Procedures Performed Using VATS VATS Lobectomy Used for early-stage lung cancer, fungal infections, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and congenital conditions. Pleural Biopsies & Decortication $1 billion Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has earned over $1 billion at the global box office. Featuring Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus, Zendaya as Athena, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, among others, the film released globally on July 17. Chandigarh-born architect Asees Prab’s shorts Act! Citizen and Otherness open a dialogue on Chandigarh Dwayne Johnson defends Moana Dwayne Johnson has defended Disney’s live-action Moana remake following its mixed critical reception, saying he remains proud of the film despite the criticism. “Our first two reviews came out,” Johnson said. “I’ll never forget it ... They were amazing. I was like, Wow. (Then) it went another way, as sometimes happens…If you love it, great. If you don’t, no problem,” Johnson said. c m y b Where Can You Get VATS? Dayanand Medical College Ludhiana has been a leading VATS center since 2002, offering expert care for various thoracic conditions. What is the Latest Advancement in VATS? VATS can now be performed using Robotics Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS). RATS offers even greater precision, flexibility, and control with 3D high-definition vision and wristed instruments, benefiting complex chest surgeries.We are doing Robotic chest surgery in DMC&H. Dr. Atul Mishra Professor and HeadSurgery, Dayanand Medical College DR. ATUL MISHRA KEY BENEFITS OF VATS ■ Smaller Incisions, Less Pain – Patients experience significantly less postoperative pain than with open surgery. ■ Faster Recovery – Hospital stays are shorter, often reduced from a week to just a few days. ■ Reduced Complications – Lower risk of infections, bleeding, and lung complications, leading to safer outcomes. ■ Better Cosmetic Outcomes – Minimal scarring improves patient satisfaction. ■ Enhanced Precision – High-definition cameras provide magnified, wellilluminated views for extreme accuracy. Disclaimer: The views/suggestion/opinions expressed in the article are the sole responsibility of the experts. Memories of 1942: A Love Story Manisha Koirala reflected on one of her most cherished characters — Rajeshwari from 1942: A Love Story. Koirala shared rare pictures of her character and wrote, “Rajeshwari changed my life in so many ways... So, happy it’s returning to cinemas, beautifully restored... from 21st August 2026.” The Odyssey earns over Effective in diagnosing and treating pleural diseases and empyema. Esophageal & Mediastinal Tumor Removal Facilitates complex esophageal procedures and tumor excision. Other Surgeries Includes ETS for hyperhidrosis, thymus gland removal for myasthenia gravis, and procedures for hernias and GERD. Beyond the grid AnanyaVerma Asees Prab grew up in Chandigarh, left for Australia to pursue her PhD, and came back with a question — why does the rest of the world find this city fascinating while the people who actually live here barely know it? That question translated into two short films — Act! Citizen and Otherness. Making films was never the plan. “These films were not supposed to be films. They were just footages that turned into films as the whole process unfolded,” she said. “These are not cinematic objects but research artefacts. The idea is not to conclude Chandigarh. It’s to provoke and open a dialogue.” Act! Citizen follows a kabadiwala who had spent 25 years in Chandigarh without ever visiting the Capitol Complex. “He had absolutely no idea about his own city,” she said. Her second film, Otherness, takes on Le Corbusier’s modularity — the design principle behind everything from Chandigarh’s doorknobs to its entire sector grid — and asks who it leaves out. Street vendors still finding their corners. Women navigating spaces not built with them in mind. “ As a female, I feel maybe we are the sexualized others. What about designing for universal accessibility? Where do we have the ramps?” she said. The films were screened at Tagore Theatre. Timeless tradition Kumar Gandharva’s grandson Bhuvanesh to perform in Chandigarh Bhuvanesh Komkali grew up speaking the language of ragas. Born into one of India’s most storied musical families, the grandson of the legendary Pandit Kumar Gandharva and son of Shri Mukul Shivputra, Komkali carries the artistic heritage of the Gwalior gharana with quiet authority. Trained by Vasundhara Komkali and Madhup Mudgal, Komkali’s performances are as commanding as they are rooted. Learning from such accomplished teachers, he says, has deepened his appreciation for his legacy and shaped his resolve to carry it forward. This is especially visible in Komkali’s efforts to preserve his musical inheritance by digitising Pandit Gandharva’s music archives. He also serves as Secretary of the Kumar Gandharva Pratishthan in Dewas. Komkali’s artistic abilities have been widely recognised, earning him a scholarship from the cultural department of the Government of India, as well as the Shanmukhananda Shiromani Award (2009), the Mallikarjun Mansur Yuva Puraskar (2010), and the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar (2012). Chandigarh audiences will get a chance to experience this legacy first hand today, when Komkali performs at Varsha Ritu Sangeet Sandhya, an annual monsoon concert hosted by the Indian National Theatre, Chandigarh, in association with the Durga Das Foundation. The concert is free and open to all music lovers. Today at 6:30 pm at Newton Hall, Strawberry Fields High School, Sector 26, Chandigarh.