Her mode of self-expression shines bright. With basic tools, and on her kitchen table, Namita Sharma finds inspiration from life's minutest details and casts them in silver.
These women are discovering a brand-new dimension to their work and their self
Her mode of self-expression shines bright. With basic tools, and on her kitchen table, Namita Sharma finds inspiration from life8217;s minutest details and casts them in silver. Her creations, like fingerprints, can8217;t be replicated and so her studio which was launched last month is called Fingerprints. The jewellery designer has a varied work experience, having taught jewellery design in institutes, executing extensive projects for leading companies, designing for jewellery houses, travelling extensively for research till she decided to unleash her creative instincts at home, at her own pace, as per her mood. The freedom to fashion what8217;s in her head and heart makes up for the jitters of not getting a secure pay-check on the first of every month. 8220;You8217;re your own chief and what you do is aesthetic and superlative, for there are not any conciliations to carry,8221; Namita does everything from scratch. And it8217;s this exclusive self-dependency that makes the process so precious and self-liberating and her pieces original, with attractive use of precious and semi-precious stones. 8220;Silver is such a versatile metal to work with and I prefer enhancing it with colour. Working with my bare hands and without any pressure is pure joy. This is my inner calling,8221; Namita looks for more ideas around her.
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The energies in the city are just right for attempts that are not superficial, but have a soul, philosophizes Kanchan Raina, a product and textile designer, whose heart is set on reviving traditional crafts. Kanchan has launched her own design pad recently and apart from designing cards, logos, custom-made things for people and companies according to their personality, she8217;s working on ways to help craftspersons earn a living. Giving up a full-time job, agrees Kanchan, made her a wee bit nervous initially, 8220;But now Do, my studio seems to be just perfect,8221; Raina believes in work that8217;s simple, which does not defy aesthetics and creativity. When effort becomes a pain, she believes, it should be stopped and in her case, this was just the perfect time to follow her instincts. 8220;Do gives me time to work on craft revival, make it functional by teaching craftspersons finishing techniques and how to sell their products and in the process, I feel complete.8221;
Back to the basics, Paramjeet at her design den, strives to create eco-friendly products like pin-boards, pots, lamps, earthy decoratives that not only appeal to the outside world, but her first. 8220;That8217;s the beauty of being your own boss,8221; the lady who runs Manthan Creations gave up her job to follow her heart. Paramjeet conceptualizes each of the designs herself and take weeks to give it the feel and finish she has in her head, and as there8217;s no pressure of following ideas and time frame of someone, it all translates into a labour of love.
Exactly why Sonia Singh has taken a break from her strenuous job as a graphic designer and is now working on launching a website for children, 8220;one that will give them a chance to explore and have fun and me, the freedom to improvise and time to think what I want from life.8221;
Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India.
Professional Profile
Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions.
Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025)
Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture:
1. Public Health & PGIMER
"PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx.
"Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare.
"Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area.
2. Education & Institutional Governance
"Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms.
"Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking.
3. Art, Culture & Heritage
"Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status.
"Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful."
Signature Style
Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions.
X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More
