Music Directors: Sajid-Wajid, Himesh Reshammiya and Sandeep Chowta

Lyricists: Sameer Anjaan, Shabbir Ahmed and Irshad Kamil

Singers: Himesh Reshamiya, Aman Trikha, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Mika Singh, Bhavya Pandit, Vikas Bhalla, Vineet Singh, Mamta Sharma, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Ajay Devgn

Rating: 3 out of 5

The soundtrack of Ajay Devgn-starrer 'Son of Sardaar' boasts of eleven tracks including eight original songs that have been composed by Sajid-Wajid, Himesh Reshammiya and Sandeep Chowta.

The first song in the album is the title track. It starts off with a spoof on the evergreen song 'Kabhie kabhie', followed by some heavy duty Punjabi beats. Crooned by Aman Trikha and Himesh, 'Son of sardaar' is full of fun and frolic. The dhol beats are peppy and the lyrics, penned by Shabbir Ahmed, support the song well. It also has a remixed version, which is decent.

Singer Yo Yo Honey Singh gets you grooving with his rap in 'Rani tu main raja' and he is joined by Mika Singh and Bhavya Pandit in the vocals. There's a good fusion of western and Indian sounds in this number, while Sameer's lyrics are very simple. There is also a remixed version, which is fast and furious. Somehow, the remixed avatar is better than the original.

Next up is 'Po po', sung by Vikas Bhalla, Aman Trikha and Himesh Reshammiya. It has an absurd interlude that fails to amuse the listener. Penned by Shabbir Ahmed, the song projects itself as a bhangra track, but despite the desi feel, it doesn't click with the ears.

Riding on the Punjabi flavour, comes 'Tu kamaal di kudi' that manages to please you and surely gets you in the mood to shake a leg. It features some powerful vocals by Vineet Singh and Mamta Sharma, who impress with their energy.

'Bichdann' is not a quintessential Rahat Fateh Ali Khan song, and has given the singer a chance to experiment with his style by exposing various layers in his vocals. The tabla sounds really good with a tinge of techno beats thrown in here and there. The track is melodious and the lyrics by Sameer are extremely enjoyable. It also has a reprise version which is equally engaging, making it really hard to choose a winner amongst the two.

It is followed by another song by the singer - 'Yeh jo halki halki khumariya'. The lyrics by Irshad Kamil are an ace. Although it is a heavily Sufi track, the most interesting aspect are the guitar riffs in the background.

Ajay Devgn goes behind the mike himself with 'Kabhie kabhie mere dil mein', talking about the importance of the Sikh community in our day-to-day lives. It's an interesting track that has some really good one-liners to keep the listeners hooked. It also has a trance version but it is not too appealing.

Overall, the album is woven around the theme of the film and manages to justify it well although the sound gets a bit monotonous at times.

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Mumbai: Veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra was admitted to Lilavati hospital in suburban Bandra here after being diagnosed with dengue, sources said today. "Mr Yash Chopra was admitted to hospital yesterday after being diagnosed with an attack of dengue. He has been kept under observation. He is feeling much better and should be home soon," a spokesperson of Yash Raj Films said in a statement here.

The 80-year-old filmmaker had announced his retirement from film direction last month. He is looking forward to the release of his latest directorial venture 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' that stars Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma in the lead.

The film is set to hit the screens on November 13. Chopra has given several hits in his more than five decade old career like 'Deewar', 'Kabhie Kabhie', 'Trishul', 'Silsila', 'Chandni' and 'Veer Zaara'.

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Mumbai: Noted filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt's 19-year-old daughter Alia Bhatt, who is making her acting debut in Karan Johar's 'Student Of The Year', says age does not matter to her.

"There are actresses who started working at a very young age. Like my sister (Pooja Bhatt) started working when she was 17. So age doesn't matter," Alia told PTI adding that she always dreamt of becoming an actress.

"I had decided to become an actress when I was much younger. It was a conscious decision. I just didn't know it would happen as soon as I finish my college," Alia said.

But Alia says she does not take a formal training in acting. "I have no experience about films and acting. I have not done any training. So my whole stint has been a learning experience. I didn't even know the 'A' of acting," Alia said.

In 'Student of the Year', Alia will be seen alongside two new comers - Varun Dhawan, son of director David Dhawan, and model Siddharth Malhotra.

Both Varun and Siddharth had assisted Johar during the making of 'My Name is Khan'. "As I had no training, it was a very new experience for me. For the first few days I was a bit nervous and would keep to myself but then eventually we all opened up and it was a lot of fun. But I must say the production house (Dharma
Productions) made me feel very comfortable," Alia said.

For Alia doing a film made by her father, who has a production company Vishesh Films and has provided platforms to several actors, would have been an easy option but she chose to start her journey in films on her own.

"I had decided that I would not start off with my father's production only because it's an easier option. For this film, I had to work for it, like lose weight, prove myself, etc. There were around 500 girls who had given the auditions along with me," Alia said.

"If it were for my father, he would not have auditioned another girl alongside me. He would have just roped me in. I wanted to learn it the hard way. I wanted to make it by myself," she said.

Releasing on October 19, 'STudent 0f The Year' is produced by Johar and Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment.

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New Delhi: Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji, who has rubbished rumours that she is married to filmmaker Aditya Chopra, says she has left her marriage destiny to god. "My name has been linked with several people, but 'upar waala' (god) will decide who will become my life partner," Rani said in reply to queries in Rajat Sharma's show 'Aap Ki Adalat', aired on India TV.

Mukerji, whose latest film 'Aiyyaa' released Friday, reacted strongly to media reports about her secret marriage to Aditya, elder son of acclaimed filmmaker Yash Chopra.

"The media can't even decide which year the wedding took place. Was it 2007, or 2009, or 2012? Let them (media) make up their mind first."

"I am fortunate that the people of this country consider me as their daughter and they are worried about my marriage. But birth, death and marriage are in the hands of 'upar waala' and what is ordained, shall happen," said the actress, who sported a rudraksha string on her left wrist.

"As far as my marriage with Aditya is concerned, I can only say, 'Main toh abhi kunwaari hoon' (I am still unmarried)," she added.

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Learnerships in South Africa

The term Learnership in South Africa came with the introduction of Skills Development Act. Learnerships are using the same model as an Apprenticeship, where qualification is made up of theory and structured practicals. Apprenticeship, traditionally, covers technical fields of learning to produce an Artisan. Learnerships are an extension of apprenticeship in that it is holistic in approach as they are designed to cover both hard and soft skills. Learnerships were introduced to address the skills shortage in South Africa.

Apprenticeships were run under Labour department and conducted by companies independently. The learner may have independent relationship with the Technical Collages, now FET Colleges. For qualification to be achieved the learner had to go for a trade test at an independent centre. The learner will then be a qualified Artisan.

Learnerships are structured to foster relationships between all stakeholders. They are structured to achieve qualification guided by SAQA approved unit standards. A Learnership agreement is administered by SETA and there are three parties to it, the employer as an initiator, training provider and a learner.

According to the Skills Development Act the learnership only exist if

· It consists of a structured learning component (e.g. unit standard).

· It includes practical work experience of a specified nature and duration.

· The learnership would lead to a qualification registered by the South African Qualifications Authority and related to an occupation; and

· The intended learnership is registered with the Director-General of Labour according to relevant regulations.

From above definition it is clear that learnership can cover any type of vocation.

Traditionally, only big companies could afford Apprenticeship. With learnerships any registered company can enter into a learnership agreement. Learnerships benefit a learner by getting qualification while receiving a stipend. Employers acquire skills and extra pair of hands for free while also getting grant from Skills Development levy. The overall winner is the country and its economy.

Learnership agreements are registered with a SETA where there must be a lead employer who will offer the practical part of the learnership, a lead training provider who will conduct theory part and a learner as a recipient of both.

An employer wishing to enroll candidates on a learnership can either enroll his/her permanent existing employees (Section 18(1) Learner), or recruit unemployed persons and enroll them (Section 18(2) Learner). Though an employer is required to conclude a Learnership Agreement and Contract of Employment with both types of learners, employers are not obliged to employ Section 18(2) Learners beyond the period of Learnership Agreement.

There are prescribed minimum allowances that must be paid to the learner in accordance with Basic Condition of Employment Act.

Learning Institutions & Organizations embrace Learnerships and they are turning into centres of excellence.

Some industries can be organized and grouped easily than others. For an example, Insurance and Banking sectors are easier to co-ordinate as they share similar skills. Manufacturing will be a challenge as individual companies have unique production processes.

The example of well structured learnership programmes is Amathuba Learnerships by Insurance sector with Old Mutual. LETSEMA LEARNERSHIP is another example administered by Banking SETA in conjunction with banks.

Learners must always be on a lookout for Learnerships as they are no specified intakes during the year. There are companies with yearly intakes and these take place in different times for each company. There are those that are demand driven or strategic and these intakes happen throughout the year.

The good source for Learnerships would be that specific organization website. Most big companies in South Africa have a learning programme in one form or the other. Internet will provide general information as well on Learnership opportunities.

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