Ergo July 23

A BYTE OF LIFE

Thursday, July 23, 2009

11 DHANUSH In Mappillai remake FREE CIRCULATION

Vol. 3

No. 138

Not at hand, but not far away Discover how Amelio Child Care caters to your demands as a parent and working professional

» PAGE 03

GET A GRIP! Roadster columnist Vikram Sunderraj writes about his latest upgrade - sporty suspension from Aussie maker Pedders » PAGE 09

02 NAMMA CHENNAI

ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009

Take me home Danny is a four-year-old male Labrador cross who is healthy, playful and affectionate. He has been neutered and is up for adoption. Call Praveen at 9884144161

Double treat A festival of Brazilian and Asian films promise to keep you entertained

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here are two film festivals starting from July 27, promising to offer movie buffs some good entertainment. The Alliance Francaise of Madras is hosting Asian Film Festival, where one film each day will be screened till July 29. Peppermint Candy (South Korea), The Hidden Fortress (Japan), Love and Honour (Japan) and Eye in the Sky (Hong Kong) will be screened at 6.30 p.m. everyday. Also, the South Indian Film Chamber Theatre will be screening Brazilian films, in association with the Embassy of Brazil, New Delhi and the Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation. The films are dedicated to Sao Paulo, the largest city in Brazil. The festival will be inaugurated with the screening of Linha De Passe at 6. 15 p.m. The film will be followed by Vilanova Artigas, the architect at 8 p.m. Carandiru will be screened on July 28. The film is based on the real life experiences of doctor Drauzio Varella inside the dreadful State Penitentiary Carandiru in Sao Paulo. Sao Paulo, Sociedade Anonima and Sao Paulo, a metropolis will be shown on July 29. For details call 98401 51956.

From Linha De Passe

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DOG SHOW with a difference

The Blue Cross Well Dog Show is a celebration of everything canine

SRIYA NARAYANAN [email protected]

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ext month, the city’s most adorable Indian dogs are all set to accompany their proud families to a dog show like no other. Hosted by the Blue Cross of India, the annual Blue Cross Well Dog Show is a celebration of everything canine. The dogs are a glorious mix of natural breeds including those adopted from the streets or animal shelters, while others are mongrels or cross-breeds. Many participants in the past have included gorgeous dogs that have survived serious illnesses and some have been rescued by their owners from accidents or abandonment. The show has always been a memorable one, with unique titles and prizes that include “Dog with the waggiest tail”, “Rarest colour”, “Friendliest dog” and “Best rescue”. Certificates, trophies and gift baskets will be among the prizes that the dogs can win. “Our objective is to demonstrate our pride in our all-Indian dogs,” says S. Chinny Krishna, Chairman of Blue Cross of India, who hopes that more people will choose to adopt dogs from their local animal shelters. “If you are looking for a companion animal, do visit your nearest animal shelter and choose from the many that would be there. All you have to do is be willing to show that you would make for a responsible pet owner. There are no charges. Though, your donations will help the important services provided by your local animal welfare group going.”

FILE PHOTO: K MURALI KUMAR

Dogs will not be asked to perform tricks, produce proof of pedigree parentage or compete on the basis of breed. All they have to do is show up and be themselves. And of course, it’s hardly a contest when every dog goes back home feeling like a real winner! For more info, email [email protected] ■

Mark this day Venue: CPR Centre, Eldams Road Date: August 30, 2009 Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Rules for participation: Mongrels, cross-breeds and natural breeds (nonpedigree dogs only). All owners must be leashed to their companion animals. There is no entrance fee

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Thursday, July 23, 2009

Listen to me Vanilla Children Place invites you to attend its storytelling session. Vandana Gobind’s storytelling session on July 25 is based on ‘Parents Day’, which will be followed by a cooking session where the children will don the role of ‘Master Chefs’. Fee: Rs. 300. For details call 044 45534146 /45

Rooms with a view: Discover it yourself at Amelio

Made in Thailand

Not at hand, but not far away This pre-school-cum-day care centre caters to your demands as a parent and working professional by also taking into account the proximity of your workplace ERGO CORRESPONDENT [email protected]

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ucked inside Devaraja Nagar in Sholinganallur is the sprawling, calm and inviting facility run by Raghavan Jawahar and Sridevi Raghavan. Amelio Child Care Pvt. Ltd. is one of the youngest “early learning centres” to have opened house in this part of the city, helping working parents maintain a work-life balance. The place looks like a castle from the outside, and the inside is sure to appeal to you. More so because they provide customised day care solutions to companies. “We are a near-site learning centre, making us unique,” says Raghavan. He explains how its proximity to IT companies makes it easy for par-

ents working on the stretch to leave their toddlers at Amelio and yet keep a close tab on them – be it dropping during breaks or picking them up after completing office work.

centres promise to adhere to the onsite model. Amelio will soon be opening its second centre inside Mahindra World School in Mahindra City.

In store Project to business plan Amelio is the outcome of a project and business plan competition that Sridevi worked on during her graduation years at Harvard Business School. “I did a project on the idea and viability of an onsite day care centre and another group project on staff interaction in day care centres. I used the findings to arrive at a business plan, where I was supported by another classmate and my husband Raghavan,” explains Sridevi. While the 5,000 sq ft centre functions like a near-site facility, its upcoming learning

It functions more like you – Monday to Friday from 8.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. The preschool-cum-day care centre takes children from six months to six years. Each room is done up in primary colours and overlooks a balcony. A surveillance camera in each room, an activity space for children, among others, ensure that children are taken good care of and have fun. There’s lot more in Amelio’s curriculum, so visit www.ameliochildcare.com. Or call Raghav (96000 19470)/ Sridevi (90030 72910) to know more.

쒀 Thai classical dancers perform at the Thai trade fair, ‘Made in Thailand 2009, Destination Thailand’, which opened at Chennai Trade Centre on Wednesday. The five-day exhibition on all things Thailand has around 50 Thai companies showcasing their products. PHOTO: S. S. KUMAR

04 VILLAGE

ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009

Missing toddler found at home A massive police search for a missing toddler in Cape Cod was called off after the tot was found safe at home in bed.

Samsung claims slimmest watch phone Samsung Electronics announced on Wednesday what it claims is the world’s slimmest “watch phone”. The handset is 11.98 millimetres thick compared to the 13.9 millimetres of a model by rival LG Electronics, Samsung said in a statement. The firm plans to sell the new phone, priced at around 639 dollars, first in France this month and then other European markets. The mobile has a 1.76-inch touch screen on which users can check e-mails and play MP3s as well as make calls. AFP

UK’s National Gallery offers its art on iPhone Fans of fine art will be able to access some of their favourite paintings anywhere they choose through a new iPhone application launched by the National Gallery in London. About 250 of the gallery’s best-loved paintings, including by Botticelli, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Jan van Eyck, are available to browse, using the zoom function to examine them in minute detail. About 200 minutes of audio video content are also available on the application, including interviews and accounts of the stories behind the art. The gallery said it was the first museum to offer such an application, which will allow users to look at paintings at random or through 12 tours grouped by themes love and death - or types.

Sarkozy-Bruni spend 660 £ on flowers For France’s First Couple, 660 pounds seem to be a meagre amount - Nicolas Sarkozy and his ladylove Carla Bruni spend the money everyday to buy flowers for each other. The extraordinary sum was revealed in a public audit of the presidential accounts for 2008 - Sarkozy’s first full year in office, during which he made Bruni his third wife. In fact, the figures were part of the first state audit of French leader’s spending since the reign of Louis XVI. The couple also used taxpayers’ money to settle 3,000 pounds of fines for late payment of electricity and gas bills. But, it is their annual payments to florists to supply Elysee Palace which has caused the most astonishment, The Daily Telegraph reported. PTI

German firm buys Watergate Hotel Washington’s Watergate Hotel, site of the 1972 burglary that led to the downfall of a President, was sold to a subsidiary of Deutsche Postbank after an auction failed to attract much interest. The subsidiary, PB Capital, bought the Watergate from Monument Realty for $25 million with the only bid for the hotel, David Astrove, an attorney for PB Capital, confirmed. The Watergate complex opened in 1967 at a prestigious address overlooking the Potomac River and was frequented by dozens of big names but is best known for the break-in that brought down former President Richard Nixon.

AFP

DPA

Disney to sell movies on memory cards

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alt Disney Co’s Japan unit said it would sell movies on flash memory cards as small as a fingernail so that people can watch them on mobile phones and other portable devices. The movie studio plans to package pre-recorded microSD cards together with DVDs holding the same movie content, allowing customers to watch at home as well as on the go. These

cards will be available in November. Users can watch movies stored on microSD cards on mobile phones capable of showing terrestrial digital broadcasting, and other portable gear such as car navigation systems. For new movies, the package of a DVD and microSD card is expected to retail for 4,935 yen ($53), about 1,000 yen higher than the DVD alone, a spokes-

man at the Japan unit said. It is difficult to make a sales forecast since this would be the first time for Disney to put its movies in microSD cards, he said. Initial titles in the microSD format include Pirates of the Caribbean and National Treasure series. Panasonic Corp is set to provide Disney with microSD cards, the spokesman said. ■ Reuters

PHOTO: AFP

05

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Websites of the day

Lost in doggy translation

Learn about American history: http://americanhistory.si.edu/ Look at pictures of horses: http://www.horses.co.uk/

Scientists in Japan have invented a device which they claim can translate dog barks.

New star on the block South African child actor goes from township to red carpet

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leven-year-old Sobahle Mkhabase lives in a township but is headed for the red carpet as the star of a new South African film scooping festival awards and drawing inevitable comparisons with Slumdog Millionaire. Director Madoda Ncayiyana’s My Secret Sky tells the story of a brother and sister whose mother dies, prompting them to leave their village in rural KwaZuluNatal for the bright lights of Durban. Fighting to survive on the streets, the young girl played by Sobahle meets an adult she believes will be her benefactor, but turns out to be a pimp. She only narrowly escapes being raped. Her performance won the best actress award at Spain’s Tarifa festival, where the film also picked up the Audience award, voted for by viewers. Sobahle, like the character she plays, has no contact with her father. She lives with her mother in a modest home in the Durban township of Chesterville. She was chosen from among 3,000 children who auditioned in township schools around the city, where Ncayiyana did the casting with a megaphone on the school grounds. “She just attracted my eyes,” he said. “She had a presence. I was thinking, ’I wish this girl is good’.” “And when I made the audition, she was good as well. She wants to give something, I was impressed. This girl is going to stun the world.” For Sobahle, her dreams are becoming reality with the film. “I wanted to be an actress but I didn’t take

Sobahle Mkhabase.

it too seriously,” she said, under closecropped hair and almond eyes. “But when I started the film, I knew that I want to be a big actress. I am very happy and proud of myself,” she said. “The film changed my life because I realised that I have to look at homeless children as they are just like you. Just normal like you,” she said. “For them, it is difficult because most of the time, they don’t eat. In winter, they don’t have a blanket.” “But the film will make people aware about that. I am not so different from them. The only thing that is different from me is that they are homeless and I am not homeless,” she added. The film is the first feature by Ncayiyana, who has previously shot television shows, documentaries and short subjects. He said the movie was informed by his own life experience. “I live in a township. I see funerals everyday. Some children remain alone.” “People are saturated by orphans. Especially in rural areas,” he said. He’s already working on his next screenplay, with a role written for Sobahle, who said she wants to pursue acting while keeping her feet on the ground. “I want to achieve my goal of being an actress and I need to go to school.” “You can’t go anywhere without that education,” she said. ■ AFP

PHOTO: AFP

How do you sneeze in space?

Witnessing the celestial spectacle

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stronauts from the space shuttle Endeavour took questions from a diverse group of international space fans interested in such trivia as: “How do you sneeze in space?” The answer: “Aim low, off the windshield (of your spacesuit) because it can mess up your view,” replied Dave Wolf, who on Monday took a spacewalk wearing just such an outfit. The questions came via YouTube and Twitter from such locales as France, Brazil and New Zealand and from primarily young fans, plus a few adults. Many of the questioners had been following commander Mark Polansky’s Twitter feed at twitter.com/Astro_127. Most wondered about day-today living in space, but one question from a small boy in Britain couldn’t be answered even by the space experts: “What would hap-

pen if you flew into a black hole?” No one knows for sure, but hopefully scientists will figure that it out in the child’s lifetime, the astronauts answered. “What do you see when you look at earth from space?” wondered two school girls from New Zealand. “The planet is beautiful, it is like a marble down there of blue and white," answered Canadian astronaut Julie Payette. “We see continents and oceans ... This is something you can never ever get tired of while you’re in space.” ■ DPA

쒀 A male sea lion wears a special pair of sunglasses to look at the solar eclipse at an observation meet at the Sunshine International Aquarium, which has a planetarium for annex facility in Tokyo. PHOTO: AFP

06 SPORT

ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009

Windies players end strike West Indies’ leading players on Wednesday ended their strike over pay dispute after their representatives and the cricket board (WICB) agreed to resolve the issue through an arbitrator, after a meeting. The players agreed to make themselves available for international duty following the appointment of former Commonwealth secretary general Shridath Ramphal as arbitrator.

Berbatov relishing competition Dimitar Berbatov has vowed to score more goals this season with added responsibility on his shoulders after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez from Old Trafford. The Bulgarian international also knows that with Sir Alex Ferguson drafting in Michael Owen he needs to deliver if he is to cement a first team place alongside Wayne Rooney. “I think I can do better (than I did last season),” he said during Man U’s pre-season tour of Asia. While Berbatov was credited with being one of the team’s most creative players last season he was also criticised for not scoring as many goals as a 30 million pound striker should. He bagged 14 in 43 appearances. He also infuriated some fans with lacklustre performances and a perceived lack of fight when the team was struggling. With the jury is still out after his underwhelming first season, Berbatov said he was determined to prove his doubters wrong. “I think I can do more. That’s why I’m happy to be here on the pre-season tour,” he said.

Right on time Commonwealth Games chief impressed by India’s progress

the coordination commission and the report had identified a number of areas of concern,” he said. “On this visit, we got some very good reports. It is clear they are paying attention to the recommendations that have been made and spending a lot of time in ensuring those things are in proper condition. The venues are on track. There has been some seepage but the completion days are still very valid and allows a lot of time for fitting out for the games.”

AFP

Security measures

Sania back on court Sania Mirza begins her long summer on the US hardcourts this week with a trip to Lexington, Kentucky for an ITF Challenger, the first of three on her itinerary as she begins the long and hard climb up the ranking charts on the WTA Tour. Sania, who climbed two spots to No. 83 in the world this week, is seeded second at Lexington behind Julia Coin, who hogged the limelight at last year’s US Open, downing the then French Open champion and world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic in three competitive sets in the second round. Sania faces Maria-Fernanda Alvarez-Teran of Bolivia, ranked 234th in her first outing on Wednesday. If she wins her first match, the Indian ace is scheduled to meet the winner from the match between Tetiana Luzhanska (the Ukraine) ranked 242 and Ameriacn wildcard entrant Allie Will, ranked 631st in the WTA rankings. The Fifth Third Bank Tennis Championships in Lexington boasts of a total prize money of $100,000 and is one of the few tournaments in the world where both the men and women’s draw has equal prize money. After Lexington, Sania will head over to Stanford to play in one of the summer’s hottest properties, the Bank of the West Classic. Interestingly another Indian Somdev Dev Varman had won last year’s Lexington Challenger coming in through the qualifiers. Ergo Correspondent

Mike Fennell, President, Commonwealth Games Federation. PHOTO: SHANKER CHAKRAVARTY

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fter a few early setbacks, India is back on track to host a successful Commonwealth Games in October next year but there is absolutely no margin to ease up on preparations, games federation president Mike Fennell has said. Backed by Asia’s third largest economy, India had hoped a smooth build-up and decent medal tally would help the country compete with China as a sports power and future Olympic host. However, delays in building the games venues in New Delhi as well as work to transform the crowded national capital into one ready to at-

tract foreign visitors had raised serious doubts. Venue delays forced next month’s world badminton championships to be moved to Hyderabad and other international meets scheduled over the next few months have also been affected. However, Fennell gave the thumbs up to preparations after the latest inspection by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the Jamaican particularly impressed by security arrangements and continued government funding despite the economic downturn. “We were here a couple of months ago for the meeting of

The government told national parliament on Tuesday that venue work was on schedule and all but one of the 17 stadiums would be ready by December 31 and the cycling velodrome by the end of March. Fennell, however, cautioned the organisers against easing up. “We have a long way to go yet. There is a lot of training and development of people, training of volunteers and training of security personnel for games time mode. Senior Delhi police officials briefed the CGF chief on security and Fennell praised the plan, especially aimed at allaying concerns following the November militant attacks in Mumbai. “Even without the games, India is looking at the country and for the games they have put all the resources that are necessary,” he added. “They are on the ball, putting in place adequate security measures which will make the games a very safe place. Organising such an event is very complex, particularly when you are doing it when the world is in recession and when you have a government that despite the recession has committed the funds,” he said. “But to fit all the pieces together and to have the coordination, the linkages, this is something very important.” ■ Reuters

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Thursday, July 23, 2009

‘‘

He’s a world-class performer and if he is out of the side of course that is a blow. But we have a few fast bowlers in the wings who we know can be very successful in international cricket. Of course we want Flintoff in the side but we’ll see if his body is up to it. If not there are other guys who can do a job for us. England coach Andy Flower

Bolt wants to take over the world

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sain Bolt has already conquered the world on his favourite computer game and now the Jamaican sprinter plans to gun down the opposition at the London Grand Prix. Bolt has become one of the most soughtafter sportsmen on the planet since he established a new 100m world record at the Beijing Olympics last year. That 9.69secs time brought more than a gold medal however. Suddenly Bolt found himself firmly in the public eye and demands on his time went through the roof. In an attempt to keep his feet on the ground, the 22-year-old retreats from the limelight as much as possible and spends his spare hours blasting players around the world in computer war games. “There’s been a lot more media attention, a lot more people coming up to me, signing autographs. It’s been a little bit busy but okay,” Bolt said. “There is not much down-

side but sometimes you just want to be left alone. Sometimes you just want to chill out. I don’t go out much, I stay in and play video games. I just stay inside and play a lot of video games all day. My favourite is Call of Duty, Modern Warfare.” He elaborates: “I play online but I don’t let people know it’s me. If you do I think they’re going to pick on me because they’ll think ‘I’m beating the world’s fastest man’.” But even fighting for world domination in cyber-space pales in comparison to defending his reputation as the globe’s top sprinter. Next month’s World Championships in Berlin will give Bolt a chance to reassert his dominance over American ri-

val Tyson Gay and fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell. So Friday’s 100m race at the London Grand Prix in Crystal Palace is the perfect preparation. “I’ve run at Crystal Palace every season since I started track and field but I’ve never run 100m before,” Bolt said. “It’s always been 200m so it should be interesting. It’s a good track, I’ve run some fast times there so it should be good. I always go there to give it my best at all times so it should be a good race. I’m not in the best shape of my life, but I’m still in good shape. But for me it’s not all about time, it’s all about performance. The Grand Prix is the last meet before the championships so for me it’s to see where I’m at, what I need to do.” Bolt’s appearance in London will be his last race before the World Championships and he believes he can fulfil his coach’s prediction that he can lower his own 100m world record to 9.54 seconds. ■ AFP

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt (centre) runs with school children during in central London. PHOTO: AFP

On top of the world

08 ROADSTER

ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009

Get

Jaguar XJ set for Frankfurt debut Y

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he restyled Jaguar XJ, borrowing some design cues from the Mk II of the 1960s, will celebrate its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September just three months prior to its appearance in European showrooms, the car maker has announced. “It is a Jaguar for the 21st century inspired by the classic Mk II and the first XJ,” says designer Ian Callum. But the exterior shows little from the Jags of old apart from the gleaming mesh-wire front grille with the Jaguar badge in the centre. The high flanks and narrow stretched side windows give it a “ready- to-pounce” look. Angular rather than classic round headlights are also a radical departure from the past. The first model released by Jaguar since it was taken over by Tata, the new XJ is clearly aimed at the luxury market in rivalry with the BMWs and Mercedes. It not only sports a choice of

Italian leathers and wood veneers but all the modern gadgets such as a TFT screen in the central dashboard depicting different images for the driver and passenger. It is also equipped with air suspension, six-speed automatic gearbox and a Bowers and Wilkins 20speaker sound system. Standard equipment includes six airbags, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and Xenon headlights. The engine line-up is taken from the current XF and XK. Initially the XJ will only be available with the 5-litre V8 direct-injection 283 kW/385 hp and in two supercharged 346 kW/470 hp and 375 kW/510 hp models. The 3-litre diesel model has an output of 202 kW/275 hp. ■ DPA

There is speculation that Jaguar is planning a hybrid model and super sport XJR at a later stage

ou are on a highway topping around 160 kmph and there is a curve ahead. What are you going to do? Tempted to step on the gas pedal and make the curve like Kitt from the Knight Rider show? I guess not! Our cars are not sophisticated enough to handle such a beating or rather challenging forces of speed. A few weeks ago I was driving on a highway cruising at 100 – 120kmph. The stock suspension of the car was giving away while take a 70 degree curve bend at classified speeds. Gulp! That’s when I decided it was about time I got better hold on the car and went onto place my order for the sports suspension from Pedders (Australia). Expensive, but worth every penny, the Pedders is a sophisticated suspension system. My feedback in one word after the upgrade is “Fabulous”. The car just sticks to the road while cornering and road holding is just unbelievable. What makes this system effective you may wonder. There is a whole lot of research and innovation behind this suspension system. The unique VRD (Velocity Responsive Dampening System) is the key to the experience with the Pedders suspension kit. Pedders developed the VRD valve that has a micro orifice located in the shock absorber piston through which the oil flow is regulated or controlled resulting in progressive shock response rate. The narrow passage opens up for free flow of oil at low shock speeds but restricting the flow at higher speed rates when oil velocity increases. The end result is a very accurate and responsive shocks giving you solid control of the car at high speeds and cornering. ■ Email your queries to [email protected]. Check out Pedders suspensions at www.pedders.co.au.

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Thursday, July 23, 2009

Tips for driving in summer heat Here is some advice for hot days on the road: Small children and pets should never be left alone in a locked car on a hot summer day. The interior of a car can heat up by up to one degree Celsius per minute in direct sunlight, reaching temperatures of up to 70 degrees Celsius and more within a short space of time. All doors should be opened before starting the car to allow the heat to escape from the heated cockpit interior. Take regular breaks with some stretching exercises on longer trips. Avoid filling the tank to the brim as fuel expands in heat. Vapour could escape with a risk of explosion. When it comes to the vehicle itself motorists should regularly check hoses, belts and the cooling system, tyre pressure and the oil level.

t a grip!

Nissan GT-R is world’s fastest accelerating four-seater

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issan’s GT-R supercar has made it into the Italian edition of the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest accelerating four-seater series production car on the planet. The Japanese sportster set a world record for the sprint from 0-100 kilometres an hour (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds, the European arm of Nissan announced. The unmodified, out-of-thebox car was powered by the standard V6 bi-turbo engine,

which generates 486 horsepower. Nissan claims the GT-R also holds the record for completing a circuit of the renowned Nuerburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany. The fastest time of 7 minutes, 26 seconds was achieved during testing in April of this year. The production version of the Nissan GT-R made its debut at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show and was launched in Europe a year later. Some performance claims for the GT-R have been disputed in the past by German rivals Porsche. The Stuttgart maker said it carried out a set of sprint tests with a stock version of the Nissan sportster, which failed to outperform its own 911 Turbo and GT2 models. ■ DPA

Hyundai launches hybrid car

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he South Korean car maker Hyundai has launched its first hybrid car, the Avante LPi, on the domestic market combining a 114 hp petrol engine with a battery-driven electric motor and LPG drive. Hyundai also claims a world first with a hybrid using lithium-ion polymer batteries. Consumption is listed at 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres with a carbon dioxide emission figure of 99 grams per kilometre. Fuel consumption in LPG drive is slightly higher but it burns cleaner and is much cheaper than petrol in South

Korea and in other countries. Hyundai is planning to sell some 7,500 units of the Avante LPi this year, hoping to double sales for 2010. So far the company has no plans to export the vehicle but will hold promotional test drives in other countries and possibly make an appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Hyundai has for several years been testing hybrid systems and has plans to produce a Hyundai Sonata hybrid fitted with an electric and petrol engine in 2010. ■ DPA

10 FLICK

ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009

FROM

KAL TO

AAJ Imtiaz Ali rediscovers Delhi’s legendary wedding band for ‘Love Aaj Kal’

Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan pose at a promotional event for Love Aaj Kal in Mumbai in this June 9 photograph. PHOTO: PTI

SUBHASH K. JHA

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hen director Imtiaz Ali needed a leitmotif and a link to connect the past and present in his latest film, Love Aaj Kal, he got one of Delhi’s oldest wedding brass bands, the Jea Band. “To understand what the Jea Band means to Delhi’s wedding culture, you have to belong to the city. It’s literally more than 100 years old, it’s so much a part of the city’s marriage ethos, you can’t escape its influence at any wedding,” Ali said. Starring Saif Ali Khan in a double role along with Deepika Padukone, the film releases July 31. This is Ali’s third outing as a director after Socha Na Tha and the hit Jab We Met. When the Love Aaj Kal plot need-

ed to connect the present with past, a Delhiite at heart, Ali immediately thought of the Jea Band. “They were there at every wedding. And I told Saif why not the Jea Band to show your character’s link with the past? So while recreating Delhi in 1965 we got the vintage cars, the proper clothes and roads... and the Jea Band which plays in our film in 1965. It also plays in the contemporary portion of the film.” Founded by Jealal D. Thadani in 1936, the band also performed at the wedding of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai in Mumbai on April 20, 2007. Now when brass bands are no more that fashionable and in-demand at weddings, the band was thrilled to be approached for Ali’s film.

“They haven’t changed. Earlier, the fathers played at weddings. Now their children play. When they were told they’re part of the film and that they will be performing on camera for the song ‘Chor bazaari’, they got new uniforms stitched for the entire band at their own cost,” said Ali. A part of Delhi in 1965 in Imtiaz Ali’s new film had to be recreated in Mandawa, Rajasthan, and Patiala, Punjab. And the Jea Band contributed not only to the periodicity but the film’s energy levels too during shooting. “We shot with the Jea Band not only in Delhi but also in Patiala and Mandawa because the 1965 Chandni Chowk look does not exist in Delhi any longer. We took the Jea Band with us to Mandawa and Patiala.

After shooting, they kept us entertained for hours with old film songs,” said the director. Saif picked up many of his actor mother Sharmila Tagore’s old hits from those evenings in Mandawa and Patiala with the band. Unfortunately Jea couldn’t record in the soundtrack of Love Aaj Kal. “They couldn’t keep rhythm with the recording mode. Their style of playing is very unstructured,” said Ali. Old music is a looming leitmotif in the film. “We chose ‘Man dole tan dole’ from Nagin when the other choice was ‘Jhumka gira re’ from Mera Saaya. We wanted a sound that could linger,” the director explained. ■ IANS

Emma Watson will join Brown University

Uma Thurman enlists for ‘Girl Soldier’

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arry Potter star Emma Watson has confirmed that she will be joining Brown University in Rhodes Island, an Ivy League establishment. “I am (going to university in the Fall)… to Brown, which is an Ivy League establishment in the U.S.A. I’ve got a place there to read literature,” People magazine quoted her as telling Paste magazine. Speculations had grown that the actress would join Ivy League since she went on a tour of schools under the establishment in October last year. Rumours were also abuzz that Watson would join Yale or Cambridge. She was linked to Columbia University too, by U.K. publication The Daily Mail. Danielle Radcliffe had apparently a few days earlier revealed that she was joining Brown University. He told The Guardian in a July 4 article: “Me and Rupert (Grint) to all intents and purposes dropped out of school. And she’s going to Brown.” ■ ANI

ma Thurman is to star in an independent drama based on the 1996 abduction of 140 schoolgirls in Uganda forced to fight as child soldiers and serve as sex slaves, it was reported on Tuesday. Thurman, the 39-year-old star of Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, will play the nun who tracked down the armed rebels responsible for the abduction and secured the release of 110 of the children, Variety reported. The film, titled Girl Soldier, is based on Canadian journalist Kathy Cook’s book about the incident, Stolen Angels. “This is a film that had to get made,” Thurman was quoted as saying. “It’s beyond me that in this day and age the exploitation of child soldiers goes virtually unnoticed and unchecked by Western media.” Filming is due to get underway in early 2010. ■ AFP

11

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Megan Fox turns down Bond girl role

Katherine Heigl’s a clean freak

Model-turned-actress Megan Fox has declined to be the Bond girl in a forthcoming 007 movie in which she would have starred opposite Daniel Craig as one of his conquests. The 23year-old was reportedly lined up by producers, but she turned down the offer as she didn’t believe the role would further her career, reported contactmusic.com.

Cine City

Munjal enters Mollywood

K

atherine Heigl claims she suffers from mild Obsessive Compulsive Disorder when it comes to cleanliness. Besides OCD, the Ugly Truth and Grey’s Anatomy actor – who is married to musician Josh Kelley – claims she isn’t the easiest person to live with. She said: “I’m definitely a little OCD. I’m particular about how I like things and how I want things. I’m also obsessed with making lists!” According to the stunner, who tied the knot in 2007, compromise is the secret to a happy home, reports Contactmusic. She added: “You don’t have to necessarily completely change who you are to be with someone you want to be with, but you do have to compromise a little bit. You have to let go of a little bit of yourself.” ANI

AFP

Gowri Munjal, who made her debut with director P. Vasu’s Thottal Poo Malarum, is all set to enter Mollywood. The actor will be sharing screen space with Malayalam superstar Mammootty. The movie, titled Palery Maanikam, will have Mammookka playing a double role. Touted to be a period thriller, Palery Manikkam is to be directed by Renjith. The movie will also have several new faces who have been selected after arduous screening sessions. Munjal was also seen with Allu Arjun in the hit Telugu film, Bunny.

Dhanush in Mappillai remake Remember the hit Mappillai that starred Rajinikanth, Amala and Srividya, which revolved around a humorous clash between a modest son-in-law and his rich mother-in-law? The roles were essayed to perfection by Rajinikanth and Srividya. The movie was also one of the top grossers of that time. Now there are plans to remake the movie, and the role Superstar played has reportedly been bagged by sonin-law Dhanush. The remake is to be directed by Suraaj of Padikkadhavan fame and produced by V. Hitesh Jhabak. The makers of the movie are on the search for actors to play the leading lady and motherin-law.

12

ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009

Arul Raj from Cognizant Technology Solutions, Siruseri has nominated his Crawford team as Partners in Crime.This pic was clicked in Thalakkonam at Andhra Pradesh when they won PROJECT OF THE YEAR 2008.

N.S.Nainar from Coastal Training Technologies India Pvt. Ltd has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This photograph is taken near Calangute Beach, Goa. These are the most rocking guys in company be it a Coastal Day, team outing or any event.

Augustin from HCL Technologies has nominated CHL team as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked in front of Rippon Building during their process of rescuing child labours all over Chennai.

Rajendra Kumar M.V. from Sify Technologies Ltd has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This picture was taken during their trip to Tiruchendur.

Santhosh Kumar from Allsec Technologies Limited has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked during their trip to Yercaud.

Ramya Subramanian from Wipro Technologies, Sholinganallur has nominated her friends as Partners in Crime. This picture was clicked at Centre Point restaurant during their team outing.

13

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Rajkumar D. of Mphasis has been nominated as Office Angel by Augustine Mohandoss and Air Services team.

■ Uday, May God Grant U what UR Heart Desires & Deserves..... Keep you Happy Forever & Ever.....

Rajkumar is very professional and innovative fun loving guy. He is a walking dictionary. He is well known for his antics. He makes place lively. He has tons and tons of ideas and mingles with everyone freely.

Best Wishes, Bhagya

■ Oi Ashu ji, Apun wishing you a wonderful, super duper, zabardast, xtra bariya, xtra special ekdum mast n dhinchak bole to ekdum jhakaas, JANAM DIN mubarak ho.. Forever frndzz Chakh de gang

■ Meri pyari Behana Tumhari is ada ka kya jawab du, apne dost ko kya uphar du, koi accha sa phool hota to mali se mangvata, jo khud gulab hai usko kya gulab du... Junam Din Mubarak Ho!!! Tumhara pyara Bhai

Belated Wishes ■ Dear Annie, It may be just another day but for us today is special ’coz its your b’day Wishing you Unlimited celebrations and loads of Surprises Many More Happy Returns of the Day!!! Happy B’day!!! Love, Rama, Sri, Kaushi, DD. Wipro Technologies

■ Hi Manju, Many occasions may come in life, But today is the most special day & You are always thought of in a very special way; you are wished the finest things in life today and everyday!!!!!! Many many more birthday wishes!!!!!! With Luv, CODC Bench, HCL Technologies, ETA1, Navalur

■ Dear Arun, Hope your Birthday gently breezes into your life all the choicest of things and all that your heart holds dear Have A Fun - Filled Day. I hope all your birthday dreams and wishes come true. Wishing you all the great things in life, hope this day will bring you an extra share of all that makes you happiest. May each and every passing year bring you wisdom, peace and cheer. Wishing you another wonderful year of happiness and joy. Happy Birthday!

Jagananth Mohan from HP GlobalSoft, Olympia Tech Park doodled this.

Thief 1: dei, unakku therinja kural onnu sollu. Thief 2 : eppappo epporulai paarthalum appappo apporulai suttuvida vendum cheers, Baskaran 63 Bay, Polaris

Regards, DSU Team, Infosys

14 TRAFFIC JAM

ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009

Potter chair under the hammer The chair which JK Rowling sat on to write the first two Harry Potter books in the series is up for grabs on internet auction site eBay.

sudoku

Divakar Sundaram N. working in Mahindra Engineering Services shot this picture. Hobbies: Photography, travelling and reading.

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15

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Dog adopts panda cubs

Word’s worth

A dog in China is playing mum to two abandoned red panda cubs. The baby creatures were ignored by their real mum at Taiyuan Zoo and taken on by the dig who is raising them as her own.

Freck (frek) an obsolete Scottish word meaning ‘to move quickly or nimbly.’ To make freck is ‘to make ready,’ and freck can also mean ‘keen for mischief, ready for trouble.’ The word may come from an older word meaning ‘greedy’ or courageous.’

B.C ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 You may be all balled up and unenthusiastic at your workplace. Seek the help of a colleague to sort out issues, as your decision power may not be good today. Strong attachment with your darling may make him or her feel good.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20 A day to deal with routine matters at office. You may be in a mood to finish off mundane activities as quickly as possible as you maybe in a mood to take a gander at something interesting and innovative.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20 You may behave logically in every sphere of life today, feels Ganesha. You do have the scope to deal with important tasks, but ensure that overthinking doesn’t spoil the cake. Focus on practicalities of the matter.

BORN LOSER

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20 Ganesha finds you giving a serious thought to matters related to career. At office, if someone guides you or advises you, you may take it in the wrong spirit. Personal life seems fairly smooth and hassle free.

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20 You are in a mood to experiment today. At office, you can work on new formulae and altogether different fundamentals to improve efficiency. On the personal front, you may wish to do something radically different just for a ’change’ in life.

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

FREE RANGE

WORKING IT OUT

You will voice your opinions about various matters very clearly and put them across logically. Ganesha finds you behaving very courteously with colleagues and superiors. This amiable nature may help you in your love life too.

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20 It is likely to be a wonderful day for you from every angle. At office, you may give new suggestions and ideas to your superiors. Love life will be beautiful as the two of you may be in a romantic mood.

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20 The day points towards mistakes and rectifications. You will, however, realise that your efforts were in the wrong direction. In such case, you might have to re-do your work from the beginning. On the love front, you may be judgemental and over-analytical.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20 You may wish to make the office atmosphere more friendly and placid. Besides routine work, you may work on new principles related to your subject. Priorities should not be kept aside today, advises Ganesha.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20 You will begin the day all charged up. Your approach towards work may change. Understanding the importance of ’team spirit’ may help you get the best results. Today you may be in a mood to share work related concerns with your loved one.

PREVIOUS ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20 Ganesha foresees that you will depend rely a bit too much on your luck today. Instead of putting in extra effort at a task, you may deal with it, very peacefully and steadily. You may spend your evening hanging out with your sweetheart.

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20 Today you may remain unsure about how to handle your work, feels Ganesha. Long pending tasks may be taken up but they may not be completed. While the day is unexciting and sluggish on the professional front, you may remain passionate. Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni

16 !

ERGO Thursday, July 23, 2009

A view of the partial solar eclipse in the Chennai sky on Wednesday morning.

Union Textiles Minister Dayanidhi Maran (R) inspects a fashion show held by Indian fashion designers at its pavilion at the International Fashion Fair in Tokyo. PHOTO: AFP Enthusiasts view the partial solar eclipse in the Chennai sky on Wednesday morning at the Birla Planetarium.

This underwater image shows the Spanish team competing in the Synchronised Free combination preliminaries at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome. PHOTO: AFP

Stargazers view the partial solar eclipse in the Chennai sky on Wednesday morning. PHOTOS: R. RAVINDRAN