Connecting People

“I left Chandigarh more than 30 years ago. I studied at Carmel Convent and we used to live in Sector 9. My fondest memories are all centered around this city!” she chirps about how ‘I’m from Chandigarh too’ has led to some interesting conversations and friendly ties. “Like I search for my friends and bump into people from this city all over the world,there are many who would want to connect with only Chandigarh,and hence clicked the idea for http://www.chandigarhwallas.com,” says the excited netizen and founder of the website,Poonam,who clicked open the portal today at The Taj along with friends ad-man and Chairman,Dentsu India Sandeep Goyal,Prof Avaninder Chopra of Chandigarh’s DAV College and Anil Talwar of Talwar Jewellers.

In town for the launch and Chandigarh Marathon,Poonam says her portal is not Facebook. Chandigarhwallahs.com is a dedicated,Chandigarh-specific social networking site made especially for anyone whose life has been touched by ‘The City Beautiful’. “It’s a magical place,and for all of us,this website is a labour of love,” smiles the lady,known for her enterprising spirit. In fact,she was one of the first actors to start her own website a decade back,first to kick start a vanity van business for fellow actors and try theatre and television when film stars shied away from the same. “I was also the internet editor for Zee Next’s portal,” she credits her ‘tech-savvy genes’ for being a tech-freak and her sporty girl spirit for being marathon-fit! “You know,I’ve just ordered a Kindle,and the second day they flash Apple’s iPad! I want that too!”

Acting was one part of her life. Ideating,creating,the other. “I used to brush aside when people used to say ‘Poonam,you’re different’. It was much later that I realised,I was different. The things I’ve ventured into have always been ahead of time! I’ve tried out many things,but you know how tough it is for a single woman,” but now the trendsetter is back. With her children all grown up,Poonam’s back for more,starting with Bigg Boss. “Interestingly,sitting in that house,I never realised people outside liked me and voted for me! Inside,they didn’t want someone who cooked,cleaned and prayed,they wanted drama,and I refused,” it’s the very honest spirit that’s made her a survivor in life

Talk about acting,and she says it was accidental. “Had I known it would turn into a profession I would’ve worked harder,” she feels. There are moments when she and best pal Padmini Kolhapuri sit and wonder what if they had been launched in these times. “There so much! Endorsements,business deals,international events,travels,new cinema…life is good for actresses now!”

As she gears up for the marathon,and hopes to connect people,Poonam looks forward to life. There’s no game plan,for ‘you take it as it comes. Just make sure you give your best.’