Ergo June 24

A BYTE OF LIFE

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

02 FOR A GOOD START Never skip that breakfast Vol. 3

FREE CIRCULATION

Instances of gang war and drug trade inside the high security prison at Puzhal should make a good reading for those interested in writing a screenplay for a Kollywood thriller, reports Petlee Peter

» PAGE 03

ON RIGHT TRACK Indian golfers are going places, regularly brushing past more illustrious international greats. While Jeev Milkha Singh is the most prominent of the lot, the others are also not lagging far behind.

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No. 117

02 NAMMA CHENNAI

ERGO Wednesday, June 24, 2009

PHOTO: R. RAGU

Skipping breakfast is harmful, so get yourself a good start with a diet comprising carbohydrates, proteins and fresh fruit

LIFFY THOMAS [email protected]

“I

’m already late. I have a project deadline… Now please do not pester me to have my breakfast.” Haven’t you said that a hundred times to your mother/spouse/ roomie? “What do I do? My company is going through tough times, I am stressed out and my waistline is expanding. I shall nibble on some snacks. Plus, there is coffee/tea available in plenty on my floor,” you argue.

If you have been ignorant or negligent about having the day’s first meal, it’s high time you stop thinking of excuses. Skipping breakfast is harmful and could result in various dietary disorders, including obesity, not putting on weight and acid reflux disorder, to name a few. Breakfast sets the tone for a healthy and brisk day at work, but for many of us bogged with day-to-day stress and pressure, work becomes the best pretext, which is where all the trouble with diet starts. You are grouchy, lose the vigour to work and your attention span thins, say doctors.

Watch you diet A majority of Dr. Bhuvaneshwari Shankar’s patients have a depressing tale to tell about their eating habits in the morning, as the ‘Dietary Recall’ table shows. “I come across many patients who say they have breakfast

once in three or four days, some even weekly,” says the Group Chief Dietician with Apollo Hospitals. “In fact, 90 per cent of my Saturday appointments are professionals from the IT sector, those in the age group of 22 to 35 brought in by their colleagues.” Dr. K.R. Palaniswamy too has a similar complaint. “A significant population of today’s young professionals suffers from acid reflux disorder, symptoms of which include heartburn and burping and in severe cases one has difficulty in swallowing food,” says the Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist with Apollo Hospitals. “If one does not address this disorder at the earliest, treatment could vary from a month to lifelong.”

Healthy start Consuming too much coffee/tea/ aerated drinks, eating junk food are not enough to make you say you are

eating. For a healthy start it is important to have a good breakfast comprising carbohydrates, proteins and fruits. “One needs energy in the morning and for a balanced diet it means getting 60 per cent from carbohydrates, 15-20 per cent from proteins and 25-30 per cent from fats,” says Dr. Bhuvaneshwari. “Energy from carbohydrates could be from bread, cereals with a glass of milk and if possible fruits. All this promises to give you a jumpstart.”

What can I eat? Our South Indian tiffins like idli, pongal, puttu or any steamed food are ideal. Complement this with a glass of milk. If you don’t like milk, have a glass of fresh juice or eat slices of fruits. Bread/ toast with a dash of peanut butter/slice of cheese add to the protein and carbohydrate content. ■

Thought for the day Chuck coffee and tea. This company instead offers its employees bowls of fruits as refreshments. Atheros India LLC, a wireless product device company situated in Mylapore with a staff of 100 employees, has the fridge stocked with a variety of seasonal fruits. “A year ago biscuits, chips, coffee and tea were served in the pantry. But now we have done away with chips, though coffee/tea can be had once or twice a day, and cut fruits can be had any time, the idea being healthy eating,” says Ayee Goundan, MD of the company. The idea seems to be a hit among employees, so much so that thrice a week fruits are stocked up. If that’s not enough, palm juice is also brought at times.

03

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Take me home Graceful Sparky has a fondness for human company, games with a ribbon and posing for the camera. To adopt her, call Ananya Ashok at 9952040339.

Gangs of

PUZHAL Instances of organised crime and drug wars inside the Puzal high-security prison will make a good reading for a Kollywood script, reports Petlee Peter.

PHOTO: K.PICHUMANI

O

n June 10, notorious Tondiarpetbased gangster Jayakumar alias ‘Welding’ Kumar was attacked by three fellow convicts inside the Puzhal prison. He suffered stab wounds in the neck and stomach and died on the way to the Government General Hospital. Police sources revealed that the murder was a clear example of gangs operating behind bars. Convicted inmates with the ‘blessings’ of some corrupt prison staff have formed gangs and are orchestrating organised crime and drug trade in jail and outside as well. According to an intelligence officer from the police commissionerate in Egmore, the most influential gang behind bars in Puzhal is that of a Chetpetbased rowdy and drug dealer named Thanghiah. Booked and jailed along with five of

his men under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) act six years back, police say he and his men have monopolised the drug trade inside prison walls. Mobile phones and SIM cards are sneaked in by remand prisoners and some guards. They facilitate organised crime outside. Krishnaveni, a TP Chatram based woman gangster, and Dhakshinamoorty of Saidapet are jailbirds for the last three months and four years respectively. Both were booked for selling contraband. “Even though the bosses are in prison, their rivalry continues outside. Both gangs are settling scores outside by ordering their respective men to act. The communication between the gang leaders in prison and their henchmen outside is though mobile phones,” said a police officer, who is investigat-

ing the murder of one Senthil in Aminjikarai. The deceased, a member of Krishnaveni’s gang, was hacked to death by Dhakshinamoorty’s men. Apart from the profitable drug trade, these prison gangs also thrive on ‘protection fee.’ Known to be managed by petty gangs from north Chennai, the fee is mainly for remand prisoners and convicts who don’t want to be bullied by influential inmates. If failed to pay they may be subject to torture and even sexual abuse in Puzhal, Intelligence sources add. K. R. Shyam Sundar, the new ADGP for Tamil Nadu Prisons who replaced R Nataraj following the ‘welding’ Kumar incident, has vowed to take stringent steps to curb the gang wars and has also warned jail officials against helping the inmates in any way. ■

04 KALEIDOSCOPE

ERGO Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The curious case of Serena Williamsova doesn’t recognise flood of Russian new-ovas

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n a bizarre attack on the growing Russian crowd in the tennis arena, Serena Williams has labelled the Eastern Europeans players as a bunch of nobodies. “I just know the standard: everyone is from Russia,” the Daily Express quoted her, as saying. Williams wrote on her Twitter page that she doesn’t “really recognize anyone,” and is so swamped by Eastern bloc-sounding names that she has started considering herself Russian. “Sometimes I think I’m from Russia, too. I feel like, you know, OK, all these new-ovas. I don’t know anyone. I don’t really recognize anyone. You know, that’s just how it is. I think my name must be Williamsova,” she wrote. Earlier in the day, she came through the first-round with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Neuza Silva of Portugal at Wimbledon. The two-time Wimbledon singles champion admitted that she is never going to be a popular member on the women’s circuit, and claimed that she did not invite the “drama” that followed her. Her father Richard compares her with Mike Tyson, in that both have that aggressive edge, and Serena said: “I’m like one of those girls on a reality show that has all the drama and everyone in the house hates them.” “No matter what they do, drama follows them. I don’t want to be that girl. I don’t want drama in my career. There always seems to be something happening so people don’t support me,” she said. ■ ANI

Photos: AFP

Strawberry sales on a high T

he warm and sunny Wimbledon weather is lifting the sale of iconic punnets of strawberries at the All England club, with up to 25,000 kilos expected to move along with 7,000 litres of cream. The temporary catering staff of 1,800 are expected to dish out 12,000 kilos of poached and smoked salmon, 32,000 portions of fish and chips, 22,000 slices of

pizza, 190,000 sandwiches, 135,000 ice creams and 300,000 cups of tea and coffee. For a bit more of a punch, 200,000 glasses of Britain’s favourite summer tipple, Pimms, will be sold along with 100,000 pints of beer and lager and 17,000 bottles of champagne. ■ DPA

05

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Door and drama Would you care for a door that looks as good as (or even better than) the rest of your home, and lasts forever? If yes, head to Arya Bhangy

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t’s surprising how little people care about the object that determines others’ first impression of their home. Arya Bhangy is for the few people who do. This showroom sitting in the basement of Rosy Towers on Nungambakkam High Road (near the Sri Krishna Sweets outlet) specialises in hand-crafted wooden doors – carved main-entrance and puja room doors. They even claim that the Vatican Art Gallery has a piece from Arya Bhangy – an altar table, to be specific. The famous Vailankanni Church in Nagapattinam also bears doors made by Arya Bhangy.

Produced in their factory in Mamala, Kochi, the doors here come with a 25year warranty against manufacturing defects. Founded in 1969, Arya Bhangy even has a branch in Spain and factory in Dubai. The interiors of the Chennai showroom make for an intimidating view – rows of imposing teak structures standing against the walls and challenging you to pick a fault. Chennai Branch Manager Prasad T. Nair says, “Our full-teak doors are extremely well-seasoned and the moisture content is completely removed using a kiln dryer. This along with a melamine and polyurethane coating ensures that even

with the passage of time the doors are guarded against moisture, warping and termites.” An alternative to the teak doors are the pincoda doors with high-density fibre, which cost 25 per cent less that the teak doors and are ideal for use inside the house. “But you can’t carve gods’ images on the pincoda doors,” says Nair pointing to a sample. Doors at Arya Bhangy can cost between Rs. 600 to Rs. 4,000 per sq ft and can be customised to any specification. Delivery is done 60 days from date of confirmed order. The also have their own carpenters to take care of the necessary fittings. According to Nair, carvings of Ga-

ARYA BHANGY Address: No. 7, Rosy Towers, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai – 600 034 Ph: 28273718 Email: [email protected] Store timings: 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. (Monday to Saturday)

nesha, Ashtalakshmi and Dasavatharam are in demand among clients. Ganesha and Lakshmi images, especially, are extremely popular for puja room doors. (Puja room doors even come with bell fittings as a special touch.)■

06 VILLAGE

ERGO Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Hole in the kitchen A Chinese farmer hired 30 villagers and spent six months digging a hole to reach an underground river he suspected was full of fish underneath his kitchen.

Luther books to be published again Out-of-print books and writings by Martin Luther King will be brought back onto the shelves from next year under a deal between a US publisher and the African-American civil right leader’s family. Beacon Press said it will print new editions of previously published King titles and compile his writings, sermons, orations, lectures, and prayers into new editions with introductions by scholars in a series called “The King Legacy.” Reuters

Seal rescued from highway A baby seal who somehow made his way from the San Francisco Bay to the centre divide of a major highway was rescued by police and handed over to the Marine Mammal Centre, local TV station KTVU reported. Police rushed to the scene after receiving calls about a baby seal “walking around in traffic”, on the 880 Highway close to the Oakland Coliseum football and basketball stadium complex. “We were getting gas and heard it come over the radio that there was a sea lion on the freeway,” said Oakland police officer Naomi Johnson. “We thought it was a joke but we went for a look and there was actually a sea lion blocking traffic. So we opened the door and he climbed right in. So we put him in the back of the car as our new prisoner.” Animal experts said the seal, nicknamed Fruitvale after the neighbourhood in which it was found, likely became lost in some of the canals that empty into the bay.

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PHOTO: K.R.DEEPAK

Dogs are being trained in Britain as potential life-savers to warn diabetic owners when their blood sugar levels fall to dangerously low levels. Man’s best friend already has been shown capable of sniffing out certain cancer cells, and dogs have long been put to work in the hunt for illegal drugs and explosives. Their new front-line role in diabetes care follows recent evidence suggesting a dog’s hyper-sensitive nose can detect tiny changes that occur when a person is about to have a hypoglycemic attack. A survey last December by researchers at Queen’s University Belfast found 65 percent of 212 people with insulin-dependent diabetes reported that when they had a hypoglycemic episode their pets had reacted by whining, barking, licking or some other display. Reuters

HP unveils web-connected printer Hewlett Packard unveiled a printer with a built-in web connection that allows printing directly from the Internet without a personal computer. The HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web, described by HP as the first web-connected home printer, will be available later this year and should cost around 399 dollars in the US, the company said in a statement. The inkjet printer features a touchscreen panel, which enables users to connect and print directly from specific websites.

DPA

hink you’ve found ’the one’ after making eye contact with that random guy on the train or the girl you saw at the coffee shop? Well, forget them, suggests a psychiatrist and relationship expert who insists the myth of love at first sight is not only untrue but is to blame for many unhappy relationships and failed marriage. Gordon Livingston says it’s ’mindless’ to think that sometimes the first encounter is enough to fall in love with someone. “It’s impossible to make those kind of judgments until you really know someone,” the Courier Mail quoted Livingston as saying.

Dogs trained to sniff out diabetes danger

AFP

“There’s certainly such thing as attraction at first sight, and in retrospect you (may) have been right that this was the person, but often those initial chemical surges betray us,” he added. Livingston said that society and advertising portray a certain look as being “beautiful”, but this can mislead us and confuse our ability to make decisions about potential partners. “We’re automatically drawn to (those deemed beautiful) on an almost instinctual basis but they may not have those inner qualities that make for satisfying marriage. This is why it’s so important to know somebody,” he said. ■ ANI

Don’t believe in love at first sight

07

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Websites of the day

Donated hair repairs road

For those interested in criminal history: http://www.crimelibrary.com/ A wealth of information on fast cars can be found on this website: http://www.fast-autos.net/

A total of 1,750 pounds of hair was donated by 30,000 women from Myanmar to raise money for repairs on the route to a sacred Buddhist pagoda.

Obama South Africa-bound US President accepts invitation to 2010 FIFA World Cup

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he White House would not confirm that President Barack Obama will head for the 2010 World Cup, but top aides already seemed to be sizing up tickets for the opening ceremony and first match. Earlier, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the President had accepted an invitation to attend the opening of the world football extravaganza next year. “You know that heads of state are extremely busy and hopefully his schedule will allow him to attend,” Blatter told reporters in Johannesburg. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said he could not yet say whether Obama would go to the event, but as a former college soccer goalkeeper, sounded like he couldn’t

36-year wait ends

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outh Korea issued its first high-denomination banknote for 36 years, ending an era of bulging wallets and raising hopes among retailers that consumers may be enticed to spend more. The 50,000-won (39 dollar) bill is the highest-value note since the 10,000-won bill was issued in 1973. It is also the first to carry the portrait of a woman, in what one newspaper called a sign of greater gender equality in a formerly male-dominated society. Scores of curious customers queued outside the central Bank of Korea, trying to obtain bills

with early serial numbers which can be sold to collectors. “We hope the new bill will enhance convenience,” Governor Lee Seong-Tae said. The government had previously resisted moves for a higher-value banknote, partly due to forgery fears. The new note has sophisticated anti-forgery features such as holograms. It carries the portrait of Shin Saimdang, a 16th-century female artist and writer. Her appearance “has clear implications about the improved status of women and gender equality in modern days,” the Korea Times said. Its editorial said the bill would likely encourage spending but could also fuel inflation and make corruption easier than ever. “The note may be easily used for politicians and business people to raise slush funds, provide or receive bribes or pay for dubious deals,” it cautioned. ■ AFP

wait for the possible trip. “I asked specifically... in order to get my seat early,” Gibbs said at his daily briefing. “I’m told from scheduling that the President has accepted a meeting with the head of FIFA World Cup, but we have not yet altogether made plans. “I can assure you that a small group of us have assembled in order to move the President in that direction.” The opening ceremony for the 2010 World Cup will be at the new 100,000-seat Soccer City stadium on the outskirts of Soweto. The match is likely to feature either hosts South Africa or defending world champions Italy. ■

Fan frenzy

쒀 Pakistani cricket fans carrying a huge bat on a truck during a rally to celebrate in Karachi after the Pakistani team won the final of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup match against Sri Lanka. PHOTO: AFP

AFP

08 SPORT

ERGO Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Athlete Naunidh dies Athlete Naunidh Singh, a former national record holder in the 110 metres hurdles, died in a road accident in Amritsar, on Sunday. According to reports received, Naunidh, 25, was returning home with his father after buying medicines for his ailing son when he met with an accident. His father survived the mishap. The athlete was employed with the Border Security Force (BSF) and had set the national record of 14.05 seconds at the National Championships in Hyderabad in 2007. Last year, he finished third at the National Open Championships in Kochi.

Mortaza replaces Ashraful as Bangla skipper Bangladesh has removed Mohammad Ashraful as captain and replaced him with fast bowler Mashrafe bin Mortaza for tours of the West Indies and Zimbabwe, a cricket official said on Tuesday. Rafiqul Alam, chief selector of Bangladesh Cricket Board, said the change was not related to Bangladesh’s poor performance in the recently concluded Twenty20 World Cup, but to reduce the burden on him so he could show his best as a batsman. Shakib Al Hasan, the world’s No. 1 all-rounder in limited-overs internationals, was been named vice captain, Alam said. Bangladesh failed to reach the Super Eight phase of the Twenty20 World Cup in the United Kingdom as the side lost to India and Ireland in their first round matches. “We want him (Ashraful) to play his natural game as a batsman,” Alam told reporters in the nation’s capital, Dhaka. “He has that potential.” Ashraful took over the captaincy from Habibul Bashar in June 2007 at the age of 22.

Exciting ti

AFP

Visa trouble for players Three cricketers selected in the Indian squad for the four-match ODI series in the West Indies are yet to depart for the Caribbean because of transit visa problems. Mumbai’s Abhishek Nayar and Tamil Nadu’s Murali Vijay and Subramaniam Badrinath are the three players who are waiting for their UK transit visas to proceed for the West Indies via London, it was learnt on Tuesday. “They will get their visas on Tuesday and are set to leave after that. They are scheduled to reach Jamaica (venue of the first two ODIs) by Wednesday evening local time,” Cricket Board sources said. The delayed departure will leave the trio, which has not played any top-level cricket after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League on May 24, with very little time to get adjusted to the conditions in the Caribbean prior to the series opener on June 26 at Kingston, Jamaica. The selection of the 15-strong team was done in London on June 19 and the rest of the team members, led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, have already reached Jamaica and started practising after India’s early elimination from the ICC World T20 competition in England. India are to play their second to fourth ODIs on June 28 (Kingston, Jamaica), April 3 and 5 (both at Gros Islet, St Lucia). PTI

Saina lead India’s charge Brimming with confidence after her historic Super Series win in Indonesia Open, ace shuttler Saina Nehwal will spearhead Indian challenge in the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold, beginning in Johar Bahru from Wednesday. Second seed Saina, who beat world number three Chinese Lin Chang in the finals of the Indonesian Super Series last week, faces world number 39 Porntip Buranaprasertsuk of Thailand in her opening match in the women’s singles category. Compatriot Aditi Mutatkar will take on Mingtian Fu of Singapore in the other singles match. Among the men, third seed Chetan Anand will lock horns with Malaysian Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, while ninth seed Aravind Bhat will meet Dane Sune Gavnholt in their respective opening tie. 16th seed Anup Sridhar, who created a flutter defeating world number two Dane Peter Gade to reach the quarterfinals of the Singapore Open, will cross sword with Japanese Koichi Saeki. PTI

Indian golfers are finally making a splash in the international circuits

09

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

‘‘ mes for Indian golf I may or may not play this year but for the rest of my career I will be an East Bengal player. I know there are some officials at Mohun Bagan who want to finish my career... But I will fight it out. I know that good will prevail over evil.

Indian football skipper Baichung Bhutia after signing for East Bengal

A. ROY

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n the last three years, it seems that Indian golf has certainly come of age. Arjun Atwal, Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa are just not names of some top Indian golfers, they have become brands, who have put India on the world’s golfing map. If it was Kolkata-based Arjun, who became the first Indian to play on the US PGA Tour, Jeev and Jyoti went a step ahead by winning titles continuously on both the European and the Asian Tour. Arjun’s mixed success on the US PGA Tour has translated down well to Jeev and Jyoti, who have become a force to reckon with in both European and Asian golfing circles.

Flying Sikh Jeev, son of legendary athlete Milkha Singh and former basketball player Nirmal Milkha Singh, after years of struggle found a string of success and it also made him the first Indian to play all the four Majors, the Grand Slam of golf. Jeev is now the highest ranked Asian golfer in the world at 34th and is also the first Indian to do so. An elated Jeev feels that his achievement will inspire the young generation of Indian golfers, who aim to make it big. “As for being the top Asian in world rankings, it feels good to become the first Indian to do so. I have always maintained that there is a lot of talent in India and golf is growing fast. So hopefully this will add further to that,” says Jeev. For Chandigarh-based Jeev, 2008 was a golden year during which he won four titles and had eight top-ten finishes including two runners-up finish in international tournaments. The hunger to win was understanda-

ble, after all Jeev waited for six years to win his second international title in 2006. "In all those six years I was disappointed with my game but got a lot of support from all the people around me," Jeev said. The golfer admitted that it was Arjun and Jyoti, who had their fair share of success, who inspired other golfers in the country.

New boy on the horizon If Arjun and Jyoti were an inspiration for Jeev, the Chandigarh golfer is also looked up by the next generation of Indian golfers. He also inspired the rags to riches story in Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia. Chowrasia, the son of a green keeper at the historical Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC), took the sporting world by surprise by winning the $2.5 million EMAARMGF Indian Masters at the Delhi Gold Club (DGC) last year. Chowrasia won the pay cheque of $416,660(Rs.16 million), the fattest prize money ever on Indian soil. There was a time, when Chowrasia was happy to finish second behind Atwal as it happened during the 1999 Indian Open. But times have changed. "Arjun was a big star in Kolkata and I was just 19 and only in my second year. He had won lots as a pro and as a top amateur and I had never played amateur golf and straight away become a pro. And I was happy to make that much of money (about $22,000)," recalled Chowrasia. His win also sent out a strong message that Indian golf was not about Arjun, Jeev and Jyoti. If Chowrasia’s rise was the highlight of 2008 then 2009 is all about Kapurthala lad Gaganjeet Bhullar. The 21-year-old Bhullar has become the sixth Indian to qualify for the British Open. Playing in a Major at a young is going to be a big moment for him. "It is going to be my first appearance at the British Open. Big moment in my life because while growing up, British Open was a tournament I never missed watching on the TV. As an amateur I have played at the Turnberry and really liked it,” he said. “But the challenge for me will be to adjust to the course and the weather at Turnberry. I have been studying the course and hopefully will go there in June to

play some practice round.

Supreme confidence Asked whether he qualified for the British Open too early in his life, Bhullar said: "I have come across this question several time. But it is not like that because while I was growing up, I have always visualised myself playing in a Major. Now it just happened to be the British Open. I have visualised each and every moment that is happening now in my life. Just want to enjoy every bit of it." Bhullar feels that Jeev, Jyoti and Arjun have raised the bar for others to follow. "They have really benefited Indian golf. They have taken Indian golf to the world and showed that Indian golfers are world class. They have set benchmarks for youngsters like us to follow. I feel more and more Indian golfers will be seen in action at the Majors," he said. The youngster feels that the golf can become a mass sport in the country. “There are 35 courses under construction in different parts of the country. It is big number. Now golf courses are introducing pay and play schemes where everyone can go and play. I realise it is still out of bounds of middle class but with time it will become a mass sport,” he said.

Talent hunts Bhullar is spot on as international golf equipment companies like TaylorMade-adidas Golf has launched efforts to find and polish new golfing talent in India by tying up with schools. The US firm has started two pilot projects in two Delhi schools and have provided them with free accessories, guidance and a fairway to help bring out new talent. "In Delhi we have tied up with Modern School in Vasant Vihar and in Bangalore with Jain International. The response from them has been overwhelming," said Dennis Allen, vice-president and managing director of TaylorMade (Asia Pacific region). "We have plans to take these projects to smaller towns but it will take time," Allen said. With role models in Jeev, Jyoti and Arjun and sound youth development programs the future looks bright for India golf. ■ Trans World Features

10 FLICK

ERGO Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Diaz dazzled C

ameron Diaz received on Monday the 2,386th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where she attributed her successful career to “the eternal love my mom and dad shared.” “It was what has given me the strength and courage to live this extraordinary life and it is what powers the light that burns inside of me, bright enough for me to be honoured today with this star on the Walk of Fame,” Diaz said. Diaz (36) who earned a whopping 20 million dollars for her role in the film version of Charlie’s Angels, will return to the silver screen on Friday for the premiere of My Sister’s Keeper, in which she plays a mother of two girls, including a cancer patient. Her father died of pneumonia at the age of 58 in April as she was nearing the end of filming for the drama by director Nick Cassavetes.

The actress, who is especially known for her role in the 1998 feature There’s Something About Mary, attended Monday’s ceremony in front of the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, north of Los Angeles, before hundreds of adoring fans. She was also joined by friends and fellow actors Tom Cruise, her co-star in Vanilla Sky, his wife Katie Holmes, and Lucy Liu, who starred with Diaz in Charlie’s Angels. Born on August 30, 1972 in San Diego, southern California, Diaz began fashion modelling at the age of 16 and made her big break in acting with the 1994 hit The Mask, alongside Jim Carrey. Since then, she has been considered one of Hollywood’s top comedians, with an average salary listed at about 10 million dollars per film. ■

Cameron Diaz gets Walk of Fame star

AFP

Diaz (C) with her family. AFP PHOTO/GABRIEL BOUYS

Happy Fathers Day!

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atthew McConaughey celebrated his first Fathers Day as a parent by announcing he was expecting another child with partner Camila Alves, a statement said on Monday. McConaughey (39) and Brazilian model Alves welcomed a baby boy, Levi, last July. Now McConaughey has revealed the couple’s son is to be an elder brother. “We have more blessed news to celebrate this Father’s Day that make this time next year double the fun,” McConaughey

wrote on his website. “Camila and I are expecting our second child, bringing more life into the world and making more to live for... Viva la evolucion, naturally, and in the meantimes and all times, just keep livin’” McConaughey, winner of People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” accolade in 2005, was most recently seen in the romantic comedy Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. His other film credits include Tropic Thunder, A Time to Kill and Amistad. ■ AFP

Chris Brown pleads guilty

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oung soul crooner Chris Brown pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of assault against his former girlfriend Rihanna and will serve five years of probation and six months of community service. Brown (20) entered the plea prior to the start of a preliminary hearing on numerous assault charges stemming from a February 8 incident in which he was alleged to have struck Rihanna (21) the night before the annual Grammy music awards show. Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg praised Brown for reaching the plea deal: “I think it’s commendable you took responsibility for your conduct.” She also imposed a stay-away order that prevents Brown and Rihanna from being within 50 metres of each other, except at industry events where the distance is lowered to 10 metres. After Brown left the courtroom, Rihanna entered to hear details of the judge’s order. ■ DPA

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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Hidden camera found in Hilton’s hotel room Paris Hilton was very disturbed after her security personnel found hidden recording equipment during a routine check of her Dubai hotel room. Imdb.com reports that the socialite is in the Arab nation for her reality show My New Best Friend Forever.

Cine City

Flying high

Uruguayan actress and model Barbara Mori (C), Hrithik Roshan (R) and Rakesh Roshan at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2009. AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE

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he much-talked about Hrithik Roshan starrer Kites is scheduled for a December release and producer Rakesh Roshan and director Anurag Basu have also agreed on how different the English and Hindi versions of the film would be. The supposed steamy scenes between Hrithik and his co-star Barbara Mori would be the same in both versions. “We can’t cheat Hindi audiences. The so-called steamy scenes will be the same in both versions. The visuals will remain unchanged in both. There won’t be anything radically different in the two versions because Hrithik and Barbara speak English-Hindi and Spanish, respectively in both English and Hindi,” Basu said. Also there would be voice-overs in Hindi and English, both done by Hrithik whose love story the film chronicles in a style that would recall David Lean’s Brief Encounter and K. Balachander’s Ek Duuje Ke Liye. About being designated the director of the decade at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards in Macau, Rakesh Roshan said: “I’m flattered. There were other truly deserving directors in the reckoning. I must’ve done something right.” ■

Shrewd Nayan If rumours are to be believed, actor Nayanthara has appointed her costumer, hairdresser and driver as permanent employees. Even if there is no work, the actor is entitled to pay her staff now. Sources say the exercise is to prevent her staff from gossiping about her to others in the industry. Reportedly, Nayanthara is back from Iceland, where she went for the shooting of K.S. Ravikumar’s Aadhvan.

IANS

A story of ‘shared history’ A

ctress Robin Wright Penn admits her marriage to actor Sean Penn has been a rocky one but says their “shared history” binds them together. “All marriages have their phases. It’s life. We go through it, if we’re married long enough. If you’re lucky, you grow and you work it out,” the 43-yearold told British magazine Psychologies. Imdb.com reports that the article appears in the July issue of the publication. The actress shared her observations after her divorce from Sean Penn was called off last year. Since then, Penn (48) again filed legal separation papers in April, only to rescind them soon afterwards. “There are a lot of chapters in our book. You have to do the work in your marriage, but it has to be laid on a strong foundation of love... We have that, and shared history deepens that foundation,” she said. ■ IANS

New trend Actors cast as journalists seem to be the latest trend in the Malayalam film industry. Following the journalist act in Blessy’s Calcutta News, actor Dileep will now be seen as an investigative reporter in his upcoming flick, Swantham Lekhakan. The movie is the debut venture of cinematographer P. Sukumar as director. Similarly, actor Suresh Gopi will be seen as a war correspondent in Ekaadashy, to be directed by Ashok R. Nath. Ekaadsahy will hit the floors this week, while Swantham Lekhakan is expected to be Dileep’s Christmas release.

12

ERGO Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Tuesday’s Query: Technology now allows parents to keep an eye on their kids’ mobile phones. One compelling reason why you would spy your beloved? ■ Bcoz I don’t believe my friends. Help panrennu sollitu correct panniraanunga MV.Santhosh Kumar Allsec Technologies

M. Ramachandran from TCS E-Serve Ltd has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked during their trip to Tirupathi.

■ Possessiveness makes me to spy Uma Ganesh S.S., N.Shenbagaraja Allsec Technologies

■ Due to the difference in behaviour as compared to past, it makes to investigate Pradeep Sankaran Allsec Technologies

■ To give a better advice, parents kooda idellam paartu adi pattavanga thana TSJ.Praveen Cognizant Technology Solutions

■ Because of love and their absence in home Pinky IBM

■ Bcos they don’t want us to b stole by sum 1 Sharique IBM

■ Protecting them from unnecessary love affairs Vignesh Allsec Technologies

■ Modern world teenagers not using technology in a proper way that make their parents to spy on them

Ravi V from Indus BPO Services has nominated his team as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked during their team outing at Yercaud.

Roshin, Perotsystems

■ To check out why mobile bills are too high and pouring out of budget Purvinay, Tata Consultancy Services

■ Because my beloved should not be another guy’s beloved Vignesh.S Sutherland

Today’s Query: If you were to direct a movie who would be the the lead actors and why?

Prem from HP has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime.

13

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Anana from CTS has been nominated as Office Angel by his team members. Anand is a very jovial and enthusiastic person. His presence of mind makes the environment lively and enjoyable one. He loves to make others laugh. He has a good sense of humour and leads our team nicely. Being a centre of attraction he helps others voluntarily. He has sound knowledge in applications and we appreciate his co-ordination in our team. We wish him all success.

■ Dear Bobo “I don’t pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; Love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person, Love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of, Love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you. Today’s a very special day... Reserved for just the two of us... On this special day, all I want to say is... I deeply, deeply love you Kutta! And its a blessing to have you in my life... Happy Anniversary Bobo!!! With Lots of Love, You’re Amu”

■ Dear Saranya, We wish u a very happy birthday:-) our prayers will be there for u always dear. Wishing u happiness, joy, success throughout ur life :-) Enjoy !!!

With loads of love,wishes n prayers, Saran Friends, TCS

■ Dear Sheebu, Wish you many many many many more Happy Returns of the Day!! As I always tell you, “you are not only my wife, you are my Everything” My heart for you will never break. My smile for you will never fade. My love for you will never end. I love you so Much Chellamma!!

Aliceton Moses Rajasekar S. of HCL Technologies doodled this.

Thomas

■ Dear Midhun J Olickal, Many more happy returns of the day. Ur dreams come true in this year.V all miss u a lot. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. May gos bless u. Take Care. Enjoy Every Second of ur Life. From Ur Belovers....

■ Dear Megha, What is a BIRTHDAY? The day when u cried and made others happy and smile. Every day brings u happy and Success throughout the while, Let all the sadness kick itself and Keep itself away a mile Happy birthday friend and finally ur favorite. All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players With Prayers K.B.Santhosh-TCS

1) "Malaimegam" kku opposite enna Malai may not come 2) Saapida edhuvum sooda kidaikaatha hotel ethu "Aarya Bhavan" 3) Nool Vittae mela pona Actor yaar " Kaathadi Ramamoorthy" 4) Ujala kku Thaguthiyaana Nadigar yaar " Vennira Aadai Moorthy" 5) what is the Difference between Mosquito and Fly Mosquito can fly but a fly cannot mosquito??? Jayaraman V HCL Technologies Ltd

■ Dear PraveenHearty Wishes and Congrats For Ur Marriage with Priya. Welcome to the elite club. Please do remember that u r not a "MOTTA BOY" the next weekend. NAL.L.L.L.LA IRU. NANBA. Bala & Friends (Spryance)

■ Dear S.GAYATHRI, We wish many more happy returns of the day. May your acquire all that you desire and each passing year be filled with joy. A special day thats sunshine bright, A happy heart thats warm &

light may every birthday wish come true. These things r wished just 4 U.. Happy Birthday Cheers, S.Durgalakshmi, K.Senthil, R.Gopinath, V.Gunasekar, R.Kalaivani, N.Vanarani, J.Sudha & Citi-VaultI.John,N.Ram Professional Management Consultants Pvt Ltd.

■ Dear Madhu (Midhun Jose Olickal ) Many Many Happy Returns of the Day.. Wishing you a very happy and prosperous year ahead. :) God Bless You.. With Lots of Love, Amal, John & Vinu (Wipro Technologies) Rejin & Ujwal ( Aspire Systems )

■ Dear Vanadhi, We wish u a very wonderful birthday. We wish u all the fun and good luck for more years to come. All the very best for a wonderful future. With tons of love, Kaiser CM Team

■ Hi Vanadhi, Wish u many more happy returns of the Day. May this Birthday brings u happiness,joy, peace and with all that you wish. Its been a pleasure to work with you. We are going to miss you a lot. All the best for a rocking carreer and a happy life. With luv, CMS Team

■ Dear Vineesh Sagar(TCS-eServe) Many More Happy Returns of the day. May all ur dreams come true and this be another fantastic year for u, Happy Birthday dear. May god bless u!!!! HAPPY BIRHDAY! Cheers!!! With Luv, Praveen Kumar, Allsec Technologies.

■ Dear Megha Chechi Wish you many more happy returns of the day. With lots of love Friends

■ Dear Vidya, Wish u Many More Happy Returns of the Day! Wishing u a lot of happiness and good health in the year ahead !! Keep smiling :) Lots of Luv , Ranjani, Revathy.G, Revathy.V, Sowmya

■ Dear Sundar Men are like wine. Some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age. Many more happy returns of the day. With lots of love, Venkat, Pons

Belated Wishes ■ Dear Sangee (Papa), "INDRU POL ENDRUM VAZHA EN INIYA PIRINDHANAL VAZTHUKKAL". God bless you my dear. Wish you a belated Happy Birthday. With Love, Yours MAMA M. Ramachandran, TCS E-Serve Ltd

14 TRAFFIC JAM

ERGO Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Teens drive through school Two students were taken into police custody after they drove their cars down the halls of their school in an end of term prank.

sudoku

Senthil Kumar from TCS eserve shot this picture at Tirupathi using Olympus camera. Hobbies: Photography, listening to music

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15

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

I will not eat my horse

Word’s worth

After reports that two million pet horses are eaten every year, new legislation has officially banned eating horses in continental Europe.

Emunctory (e-munk-tuh-ree) relating to the blowing of the nose. Emunction is ‘the action of wiping the nose.’ Both these words come from Latin words with the same meanings. The rare word emunct, meaning ‘of keen or acute judgment,’ comes from a Latin phrase that means ‘a man of keen scent’ or ‘a man with a wiped nose.’

B.C ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 You will start your day on an enthusiastic note, with a heart full of dreams to fulfill. But reality will sink in as the day moves on. Watch your diet today and avoid eating junk food, says Ganesha. Don’t make your beloved your punching bag.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20 A hectic day in office will take its toll. But you should be able to break up and hit the coffee machine to relax a bit. You will be full of innovative ideas in second half of the day. You shall also apply this creative strain to your love life.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20 A great day for you! Work takes centrestage, and you shall stay focused, avoiding unnecessary gossip parties and tea breaks. Developing new softwares will be on your agenda. For that, you may spend most of your time gathering data from the Internet.

BORN LOSER

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20 You’ll be obsessed with making money today, says Ganesha. In fact, that will be your only priority in the second half of the day. You are replete with surplus energy that enables you to finish tasks sooner than usual.

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20 Your power of positive thinking will make your day. The energy that you have today will get done most of your work. Few hours before you call the day off, you will be engaged in discussions related to work. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner with your beloved.

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

FREE RANGE

WORKING IT OUT

Your day starts on a dull note. But you will pep up as day turns into evening. Work that seemed boring will now have your complete attention. Ganesha says in the evening, you would want to spend some happy hours with your family members.

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20 A mountain of work awaits you in office today. Meeting with seniors is on the cards in the first half. By the end of the day, you will be eager to rush in the arms of your lover. Ganesha promises you and your partner a wonderful evening.

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20 Today, you will use up all your energy in arranging meetings and accomplishing tasks. Post lunch, important discussions with colleagues may keep you occupied. After such a hectic day, a pleasant evening with your beloved will be a welcome haven.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20 At the start of the day, you may feel daunted by the tasks ahead. But once you actually get down to work, your fears will dissipate and you will speed up. In fact, you will set targets for yourself and go about achieving them.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20 In the morning, you’ll say, “What a boring day!” To add to it, technical errors might pop up. It’s in the evening that you will heave a sigh of relief as problems get sorted out. You shall prefer to enjoy a quiet evening with your beloved.

PREVIOUS ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20 You will not let work related stress affect you, says Ganesha. You are at peace with yourself, so nothing perturbs you. As the day proceeds, you may digress towards gathering technical knowhow about some software or electronic gadget.

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20 Ganesha predicts hard work in the first half of the day, which could get worse. All this may stress you out. But fortunately, you may find solutions to the nagging problems. In the evening, you may take your sweetheart for a dinner or a movie. Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni

16 !

ERGO Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Dark clouds hover over the Arabian Sea as pedestrians walk on the promenade in Mumbai. PHOTO: AFP

A model presents a creation by designer Andre Lima during the closing day of the 20092010 Spring-Summer collections of the Sao Paulo Fashion Week, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. PHOTO: AFP

French First Lady Carla Bruni Sarkozy leaves the Chateau de Versailles outside Paris, after French President Nicolas Sarkozy (not pictured) delivered a speech for the first time under France’s fifth Republic to both houses of Parliament, before reshuffling his cabinet. PHOTO: AFP

A ship is set on fire as Chinese marine police conduct a security exercise off the port of Shanghai in preparation for the World Expo 2010. PHOTO: AFP