Ergo March 27

A BYTE OF LIFE

Friday, March 27, 2009

08 BIKES ON CLOTHES Grab the new lines of biker-inspired clothing FREE CIRCULATION

Vol. 3

03 Gearing for poll campaign North Chennai’s business centres

No. 58

Mysterious Mannar

PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN

Gulf of Mannar in the Southern coast of Tamil Nadu is a treasure trove of marine ecological resources. But this underthreat biosphere is fighting against time to retain its beauty.

» PAGE 4 & 5

02

ERGO Friday, March 27, 2009

Theatre fest

Namma Chennai

Indianostrum Theatre is organising a two-day theatre event, Madhavi. Play, lecture-demo, Tamil folk music, book launch and interactions are the main events. This is supported by Kalakshetra Foundation, and will be held at Alliance Francaise, 24, College Road. For details call 99428 09932.

Food

Theatre

Remembering Rahi Masoom Raza Main Rahi Masoom, a Hindi play, will be performed by Vinay Varma. The play is directed by professor Bhaskar Shewalkar, and is a biographical sketch of the famous Hindi and Urdu writer, Late Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza. The play is presented by Thespian en. When: March 29; 3 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. Where: Top Storey, Alliance Francaise Tickets for the show are priced at Rs. 150 and Rs. 200 and available at Amethyst, Anokhi, Landmark and Silver Stitch. For bookings call 98401 27103.

Revisiting Awadh The richness of Awadh cuisine lies not only in the variety of cuisine but also is the ingredients used. Main Street will take you to the Awadh era with its Lucknowi food festival. Kababs, kaliya, nahari-kulchas, zarda, sheermal, roomali rotis and a number of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes will be served. The lunch and dinner buffet (open on weekends) is priced at Rs. 500. When: Till April 11 Where: The Residency Towers, Main Street For reservations call 2815 6363.

Television

Audition

Long live...

Dance baby

Emmy-winning mini series, The Tudors, will premiere today on Fox History and Entertainment. The British period drama is based on the romantic and political life of King Henry VIII. The show stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers of Bend it like Beckham fame in the critically-acclaimed role of King Henry. When: Every Friday; 9 p.m.

Put your dancing shoes on as Renaissance Dance Works is calling you for its audition. Both male and female dancers keen on becoming a dance instructor can participate. You don’t need to have any experience or qualification but only a passion to learn and lead. When: March 29; 3.30 p.m. Where: Vanniyar Street, Choolaimedu, Behind Morning Star School To register call 90031 16060.

Dance

Book Launch

Can-Stop is 10 Can-Stop, a voluntary organisation for cancer awareness, in association with Rotary Club of Madras is organising a dance concert, ‘Stree Spandan’. Gopika Varma, Sharon Lowen and Shovana Narayan will perform on the 10th anniversary celebration, which will be a blend of different classical styles of dance. The proceeds from the show will go to the ‘Drug Bank’ to purchase medicines. When: March 28; 6 p.m. Where: Narada Gana Sabha Passes for the show are available at Landmark, Amethyst and Can-Stop. For details call 2628 4256.

An Indian Odyssey The Madras Terrace House will play host to the launch of the book, An Indian Odyssey by Martin Buckley. The book is the story of an adventurous and sometimes perilous passage through India by motorcycle, bus and train and has been inspired by The Ramayana. When: The reading will start at 6.30 p.m. on March 27 Where: 15, Sri Puram 2nd Street, Royapettah. For details call 4503 8391.

03

Friday, March 27, 2009

Election campaign materials stocked at a shop in Malayaperumal Street, Parrys. PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN

Gearing up for the road show LIFFY THOMAS [email protected]

I Captain G.R. Gopinath of Air Deccan is taking the electoral plunge, contesting as an independent in the LS polls.

48 DAYS TO GO...

t is Thursday 5 p.m. and Local Administration Minister Stalin is smiling with the mic in his hand. His father and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi is a yard away, sitting in a contemplative mood. And a little away is Vijaykanth of DMDK posing with the victory sign and K. Ramadoss of PMK saluting to a thousand faces. Wondering who is striking an alliance with whom in one room in Malayaperumal Street! No prizes for guessing. It is election time and those in the business of making poll paraphernalia are all game for the season. Talks about alliance partners are still on, so until then hundreds of badges, calendars, emblems and posters sit happily on the floors of the shops on Bunder Street, Anderson Street and Malayaperu-

mal Street – all in Parrys. For decades now these streets in North Chennai are the favourite places where local politicians and party supporters go to shop all things bright and colourful, to show their support for their respective leaders. M.S. Maniam is one of the oldest dealers in the street – 70 years, they claim. The shop has just received their first consignment (150 packets containing 100 paper badges of different political parties in each, costing Rs. 65-70 each) – an order from Sivakasi. “We haven’t stocked banners (digital and cloth) as we are waiting for the Election Commission’s announcement. Stocking badges is the safest bet, at least now when the campaign momentum hasn’t yet picked up,” says Lakshmi Narayan, manager at M.S. Maniam. “The Sivakasi order is

our first supply for the season, which is very minimal. Depending on who they strike an alliance with, we get our orders and change accordingly.” So, what’s the business these shops do? “Party cadres spend a minimum of Rs. two lakh to a maximum of Rs. 10 lakh for a road show and we have anything and everything to make it a crowd-puller,” say shopkeepers. For a lakh you get metal badges (Rs. 3.50), foam posters (Rs. 10), glittering pocket calendars with photographs of the leader (Rs. 10), banners (Rs. 20) and life-size cut-outs of the star campaigner (Rs. 4,000); there are 100 such items. They charge Rs. 5 extra if you want your name embedded or printed next to the leader’s photograph. Well, all this looks small but they convert it into huge sums of money for parties. Anything for some votes! ■

Bunder Street and Malayaperumal Street pep up for the poll campaign with their colourful paraphernalia

VOX POP The maximum money that a candidate can spend while canvassing for the Lok Sabha seat, as laid down by the Election Commission, is Rs. 25 lakh. Do you think winning candidates spend only that much? And whether that spending is warranted? Send us your views to [email protected]. Please limit your remarks to around 50 words, to enable us to carry as many views as possible.

04

ERGO Friday, March 27, 2009

Big Story

World’s first The first marine laboratory in the world was established in 1850 at Kurusadai Island and it is the only place in the world that has Balanglossus, which is regarded as living fossil. It is an ‘evolutionary link’ between invertebrates and vertebrates

Coral corroding AYON SENGUPTA [email protected]

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t’s a humid March morning and the pristine blue waters right off the Pamban Bridge are busy with activity. Scores of tourists wait in queue for their turn to take the only glassbottom boat in the vicinity to catch a glimpse of the shallow but bright coral reefs. There’s also a group of eager students from a college in West Bengal, which adds to the clatter, and for a moment one tends to lose the feeling of standing in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, South Asia’s first Marine Biosphere Reserve. The 20-minute ride is sure to make every environment aficionado a little disappointed – the vibrant colours, you are told, are a thing of the past and here too the pollution from mechanised trawlers and the ever-growing vehicles on the bridge overhead have taken their toll. Grey, disfigured and dishevelled, the corals lay in distress and you suddenly realise the growing danger the ecosystem is facing even due to the short motorboat ride you just took. A few lucky ones armed with permission from the Forest Department get a chance to visit the island of Kurusadai, less than a kilometre away. Here amidst the shallow water the dazzling colour and contour of the beauty of the reefs leaves one agape for a moment. In blue, purple, white and vivid red, in different shapes, the coral stands rock solid with a more colourful swarm of fishes adding to the beauty. The island, which gets its name from the English word ‘crusade’, is referred to as a ‘biologist’s paradise’ – rich with all the variedness of the ecological biodiversity of the Gulf. But it would take no biologist to infer the fact that the fragile ecology in the region is under a demonic threat. Clandestine fishing and coral mining over the years have depleted the natural resources and the very new concentrated effort to preserve it may be too late. Coral, which sustains more than 3,000 other marine species, is the most important ele-

ment in the Mannar Biosphere Reserve but there is also a huge sea grass bed – staple food of the endangered marine mammal protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the dugong (Dugong dugon) or sea cow which is now rarely sighted in the reserve. “Ten to 15 years ago, when I was a kid, we could see the dugong everywhere. People used to catch them and the meat was sold for Rs. 10 in the market. But now they are nowhere to be seen,” a boatman says. “They are just like humans. If you hurt them they will cry and they feed their young ones just like a (human) mother – the baby tucked safely in the mother’s arms. You have to look for months now to spot them.” Eco-development officer of GOMBRT, V. Naganathan, admits the problems and says: “We have neglected our resources earlier and even now there are constraints. But at least we have a will now and the local people are taking an interest.” Although a national park area, the Reserve sees a steady stream of visitors that includes college students and various district and state-level officials. One of the guards from the forest warden’s offices attributes the visits to the many problems faced by the workers on the ground. “We wake up at five and then our day runs off to keep a tab on the esteemed visitors. We are too tired to go for any sort of patrolling but nobody is willing to pay any attention. This is a national reserve and nobody should be allowed inside,” he says. Chief Wildlife Warden, Chennai, V. Sundararaju, under whose jurisdiction the reserve falls, however, refuses to buy the theory of too many footfalls. “Since we took over from the Fisheries Department we have almost stopped every unnecessary visit to the park and all efforts are on to maintain the balance. We don’t encourage any sort of tourism.” But the realities on the ground seem far away. ■

It doesn’t take an expert eye to see the threat the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve is facing. And despite official claims that tourism isn’t encouraged there, the influx of tourists is ever-increasing

Under-water coral formations at the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve in Pamban PHOTOS: R. RAVINDRAN

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Friday, March 27, 2009

Our Gulf There’s a sense of pride and awareness about the marine eco-system amongst the locals in Rameshwaram. Young students of St. Annes have a sense of belonging about the place and say: “It’s our Gulf only and we are happy that very few people come there. The corals help to stop the tsunami and also provide livelihood options to us.”

Wading through weed The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO-recognised reserve. And as a unique system of codependence, a seaweed cultivation programme helps conserve the reserve and create livelihood for the locals AYON SENGUPTA [email protected]

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pioneering project is helping to secure the future of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve in Rameshwaram and its globally significant marine coastal life by engaging local communities in promoting ecotourism and other ventures that create jobs while protecting the area’s endangered natural environment. Home to 3,600 species of plants and animals, including 17 mangrove tree species and 14 dolphin species, the reserve is among a world network of biosphere reserves recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The initiative wants to strengthen the role of local communities, particularly women, in managing the reserve in ways that are ecologically sound, equitable for groups with a stake in the area, and economically viable.

(GOMBRT) and other private agencies has already made a difference to the lives of local driftwood collector Bakhyam and many such women in the region. Bakhyam says her income has improved dramatically over the years since the inception of the programme in 2002. A mother of two, one of whom is mentally challenged, Bakhyam had difficulty sustaining her family before the programme. Her husband, a fisherman, was robbed of his regular catch after the Biosphere Reserve was set up in 1986. “We had a very tough time making ends meet. Especially with my child who needs constant attention, it was really hard,” she says. “We saw the park as a problem for us and hoped all the officials would leave.”

The introduction of the Rs. 67-lakh project drastically changed the life of the womenfolk in the region, giving them a temporary source of income. “We usually work in groups of five. In my case, I form a group with my husband and son. The government gives us a loan of Rs. 1.5 lakh, out of which Rs. 75,000 is subsidy. We pay Rs. 750 per head per month against the loan,” she says. “The cultivation is only on for four months and from 60 kg of seeds we produce 300-400 kg of seaweed. This can be sold to the agencies for Rs. 1.40 per kg or we can dry them and sell for Rs. 14 per kg.”The buyers include the Additional Directorate of Fisheries and also Pepsi, while the loans are offered by the State Bank and Bank of Baroda. “We make a profit of at least Rs. 20,000

during the four-month period. That’s a lot of money for us,” Bahakyam says with a smile. The job, though, comes with its hardships and she has to work in shoulder-deep water throughout the day to make sure the weeds are tied together properly and do not float away. “I have to stay away from my daughter and, at times, that worries me,” she says.

Happy, at last For 28-year-old Antony Muthu, the Gulf of Mannar is heaven on earth. A small-time tea shop owner on the banks of the Gulf, he has got a new lease of life from the UNDP project. Dressed proudly in his blue GOMBRT shirt and matching cap, he subconsciously paddles through the waist-deep water to take us to that elusive spot where the blue and purple cor-

als create a spectacle of its own. He is oblivious to the waves that have by now drenched his clothes and absentmindedly tells us: “I was born in the park. From a very young age I used to come here. Because of family pressure, I had to work in our tea shop. I missed the place and I always wanted to run back.” His prayers were answered and he was recruited as one of the 15 eco-development workers for Mandapam region, which has seven of the 21 islands in the Gulf. “Now I just roam about freely. It gives me a sense of pride that I am helping to protect the place where I have grown up,” he says as he nonchalantly points us to a sea cucumber that falls under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, an endangered species. “They are in high demand amongst the locals and poaching was rampant before. Since we have taken over, things are much better,” Antony says. “While most of the days I am out in the Reserve, I make sure to spend some time at our teashop. Everybody is happy.” ■

4 months’ effort The seaweed cultivation programme run by the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust

Eco-development worker Antony Muthu

Seaweed cultivation at the Mannar Biosphere Reserve

Bakhyam, one of the many beneficiaries of the government run seaweed cultivation programme at the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve in Pamban PHOTOS: R. RAVINDRAN

06

Sport

ERGO Friday, March 27, 2009

Sania, Yuki bow out Sania Mirza crashed out of the USD 4,500,000 Sony Ericsson Open after losing the first-round match 6-1 6-7 (2) 6-7 (8) against world number 65 Mathilde Johansson of France. Also making a first-round exit was Yuki Bhambri, who put up a valiant fight against world number 73 Diego Junqueira of Argentina. The 15-year-old showed a steely resolve as he kept his seasoned opponent in fight for one hour and 22 minutes before losing 4-6 3-6.

Sachin: Will continue as long as I enjoy

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ith runs flowing from his bat again, Sachin Tendulkar is in no mood to talk about retirement, saying he is motivated enough to keep going as long as he enjoys the game. More than 29,000 international runs - including 85 centuries under his belt, Tendulkar has little left to achieve in the world of cricket. The champion batsman, however, insists he has not run out of motivation yet and would go on as long as he continues performing. “I’m not in a position to answer that,” he said, in response to a question on how long he sees himself in international cricket. “I’ve not made up my mind yet. I’m extremely happy to be in this position and enjoying every outing. It has been fantastic journey,” he said. “I have been through various challenges and ups and downs. It’s all circles of life and I want to complete the circle. “As long as I’m enjoying and giving my best, I’ll continue to play. The day I start feeling otherwise, that will be the time to stop,” he explained. Tendulkar said he loves the game and has a lot to keep going for. “I’m always a firm believer of chasing dreams. My dream was to play for India as long as possible that is the ultimate thing for

me. “It all started because I was in love with the sport and once you are in love with the sport, you don’t need anyone to come and motivate you,” he said. “I don’t think there is need of anyone come and motivate me. I’m motivated enough. “I know that billion people expect good things from the Indian cricket team and it’s obvious that such high expectations keep you on your toes,” he added. ■ PTI

India’s first Test win after 33 years in New Zealand would not have come as a surprise given the way the team has been performing over the last 18 months under the charismatic leadership of MS Dhoni. What did come as a surprise was it resorted yet again to the evergreen Tendulkar to fashion it. After a cautious beginning in the early part of his innings, Sachin grew from strength to strength to display an exhibition of copy-book batting and took India to a commandable first innings lead from where winning the match as well as becoming Ergo’s Player of the Week could have been the only result.

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Friday, March 27, 2009

‘‘

How long did Ferrari take to win the world championship with Michael Schumacher? Five years. When I say that we are optimistic it sets a huge challenge for this team. Later on in the year however there can be no excuses; I demand performance and that will be measured by how many points we can score. We have made investments and given significant changes as the team requested and I now need to see a real change in our fortunes.

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enturies by Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder in a record-breaking partnership brought New Zealand back under control after a shaky start on day one of the second Test against India here Thursday. At stumps New Zealand were 351-4, with Ryder not out on 137 and Taylor back in the pavilion for 151 after the pairing put on 271 for the fourth wicket. For the first time in the series there was an air of vulnerability about the Indian side, as catch opportunities went begging and sloppy fielding gifted New Zealand boundaries. It was a sharp turnaround in fortunes after the way India cleaned up the first Test by 10 wickets with a day to spare, and then had New Zealand reeling at 23-3 at the start of the second Test. The three wickets fell in the space of two runs and had Zaheer Khan on a hat-trick when Ryder joined Taylor in the middle to turn the innings around. India could have had New Zealand at 31-4 when Yuvraj Singh dropped Taylor at third slip when he was on four. It proved a costly miss. Taylor and Ryder added a further 263 before Yuvraj made amends by catching Taylor off Harbhajan Singh but only just. After waiting an age, he miscalculated where the skied ball would come down and ending up diving to take the catch just above ground level. Ryder continued with James Franklin, who was 26 not out at the close after being dropped by Yuvraj at slip when on seven. When New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori won the toss he said it was a straightforward decision to bat on a flat, brown, pitch

Vijay Mallya, Force India owner

Taylor, Ryder revive NZ It was a record for any New Zealand partnership against India

Ross Taylor (R) and Jesse Ryder congratulate each other after scoring the best New Zealand fourth wicket partnership during the first day of the second Test match at the McLean Park in Napier on Thursday.AFP PHOTO/ DIBYANGSHU SARKAR

that offered the bowlers nothing. An erratic Tim McIntosh was given out caught by replacement wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik off Ishant Sharma for 12 and the recalled Jamie How lasted 11 deliveries before he was bowled by Zaheer for one. Zaheer took Martin Guptill for eight with the first ball of his next over, which was dropped short and the batsman fended it to a diving Virender Sehwag, the stand-in Indian captain, at gully. Then came the fightback with Taylor favouring his trademark square cut, which brought most of the 26 boundaries in his 262 minutes in the middle. In between the sublime shots were also several nicks through the slip cordon as he rode his luck. There were nervous moments on 99 when Taylor edged one delivery that fell just in front of Rahul Dravid at slip, there was a close call on a Harbhajan Singh lbw appeal, and Ryder was nearly run out when pulling out of a possible quick single. But from the next ball after the run mix-up, Taylor brought up his milestone driving Zaheer wide of gully to the boundary in the final over before tea. Ryder, who scored his maiden Test century against India last week, completed his second century in the final session of the day. In more than five hours at the crease Ryder has faced 220 balls, hitting 17 boundaries and one six. New Zealand made two changes from the first Test with How in for the injured Daniel Flynn and off-spinner Jeetan Patel replacing the out-of-sorts fast bowler Kyle Mills. Mahendra Singh Dhoni pulled out before the toss with a back strain, bringing Karthik in as wicketkeeper with Sehwag taking over as captain. ■ AFP Brief Score:

New Zealand 351-4, Ross Taylor 151, Zaheer Khan 2/94

08

ERGO Friday, March 27, 2009

Portfolio PHOTO: G.R.N. SOMASHEKAR

W ear yyour our bbikes ikes oonn yyour our ssleeve leeve Wear PETLEE PETER [email protected]

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re you a riding enthusiast and even craving to flaunt your passion on your casual wear? A few well-known as well as budding clothing brands have floated their motorcycle-inspired clothing lines this season. Available at various stores in the city, the clothing lines feature genres like racing, cruising, motocross and even motorcycle associations and clubs overseas. Wrangler has recently introduced its ‘Wild One’ line of ridinginspired wear. After tasting success with its ‘On the Road’ collection that was endorsed by Bollywood actor John Abraham, Wrangler has unveiled the new line. Targeting the motorcycle-avid youth, the line has t-shirts, shirts and jeans spelling out biker brotherhood. Clothing pieces with retro designs, featuring illustrations of MotoGP in the ‘70s and with badges and embroideries on riding associations, stand out in the line. Similarly, brands like Forca and

Motorcycle-inspired clothing is a good idea to flaunt your love for the mean machines

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Bossini also have t-shirts on shelves spelling out riding passion. Denim brand Levi’s might not be having an exclusive biker line, but it definitely has riding jeans (with knee patches) and jackets. There is also a denim biker jacket for women. However, Levi’s Strauss Signature was perhaps one of the first big names to come out with the line ‘Biker Collection’, which featured a range of biker jeans and t-shirts. Wild One is available at all Wrangler stores in the city and also at Lifestyle, Globus and Shoppers’s Stop. Levi’s is available at its exclusive stores as well as other multi-brand outlets, while Forca and Bossini are available at Lifestyle, Citi Centre. Apart from the branded line of motorcycle wear, a number of export surplus stores and outlets selling imported clothing deal with MotoGP and other riding-inspired clothing. The riding avid can grab t-shirts with chest numbers, like those beaming number 46 of MotoGP Italian champ Valentino Rossi, from the Dollars & Pounds stores in both Adyar and ECR. ■

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Friday, March 27, 2009

Ashish N. Soni

ring se wea d o G a Mughd aul P Satya

Cue by Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna

Nida

Mah

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Kabir Bedi and Dimple Kapadia in J.J. Valaya

Manish Arora

Falguni & Shane Peacock

Manish Malhotra Charu Parashar

Raghavendra

Rathore

PHOTOS: AFP/ PTI / SANDEEP SAXENA

Images from the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week that wrapped up recently

10

ERGO Friday, March 27, 2009

Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz to star in romantic comedy?

Flick PETA slams Jacko

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz may star in an untitled romantic comedy formerly known as Wichita and Trouble Man at 20th Century Fox. The story, to be directed by James Mangold, centers on a woman with a horrid romantic history who keeps crossing paths with a mysterious guy she met on a blind date.

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nimal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has condemned Michael Jackson’s apparent plans to feature a variety of exotic creatures onstage during his comeback concerts. The ‘Thriller’ hitmaker will kick off his ’This Is It’ run at London’s O2 Arena this summer (Jul09) and is reportedly working on ideas to make the 50date tour as memorable as possible. According to British newspaper the Daily Mirror, Jackson is planning a nature theme for the concerts - with live creatures featuring heavily in the shows. However, the idea has infuriated campaigners at PETA, who are urging the singer to ditch the plans, reports the Daily Express. In a statement, they said, "These exotic animals belong in Africa, not the O2 Arena among screaming fans, bright lights and stage explosions. These wild animals are deprived of everything that is natural and important to them when they are forced to perform under stressful conditions. Michael needs to learn to leave exotic animals alone." ■

For his apparent plans to use animals in comeback concerts Kate Moss has her ear pierced 5 times While most people thought that supermodel Kate Moss would have turned her back on needles after leaving her former rocker-lover Pete Doherty, she has had her ear pierced five times. Kate’s ear looked full of rings when she was pictured leaving a London tattoo parlour. “Kate spent around 90 pounds on the piercings. She’s picked a very tricky part of the body because the cartilage on the side of the ear takes up to a year to heal,” the Daily Star quoted one man as saying. Meanwhile, Doherty has revealed that he still misses Kate, and feels jealous whenever he sees her with her new boyfriend Jamie Hince. ANI

ANI

These exotic animals belong in Africa, not the O2 Arena among screaming fans, bright lights and stage explosions.

Jennifer Aniston ‘vows to stay single’ Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston believes that she would never find a man she loves as much as her ex-husband Brad Pitt. After a series of failed relationships with John Mayer, Vince Vaughn and British model Paul Sculfor, the former ‘Friends’ star has decided to stay alone, reports China Daily. “Jennifer put so much of herself into those relationships only to have all three end in heartbreak,” said a source. “More than anything, Jennifer wants to be a mom. She has dreamed of having a child ever since she was a little girl and the fact that she may not have a partner isn’t going to stop her from realising that dream,” the source added. ■ ANI

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Friday, March 27, 2009

Winehouse ’Back to Ronson’ for new album Troubled popstar Amy Winehouse is apparently heading back to music mogul Mark Ronson to get her career back on track. The ’Rehab’ hitmaker has convinced Ronson to help her on her third album.

Bollywood

Cine City

Barbie Aishwarya Rai set to become the Indian face of Barbie

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ishwarya Rai may soon join the ranks of Hollywood beauties like Beyonce Knowles, Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Ross, by becoming the first Indian face of the legendary doll ’Barbie’. The representatives for the actress are reportedly in negotiations with the toy giant, Mattel, as it plans to transform the iconic doll into a Bollywood star and sell it throughout India. The former Miss World will have a Barbie modelled after her, titled “Bollywood Barbie”, reported The Telegraph. The company, which recently celebrated Barbie’s 50th birthday, is expecting to cash in on the popularity of the star to increase its sales in India. Aishwarya is one of the most recognised faces around the world thanks to starring roles in Hollywood films like Pink Panther 2, Mistress of Spices and Bride and Prejudice and lucrative endorsements deals like “Loreal” and “Longines”. The 35-year-old actress, who married into Bollywood’s first family of the Bachchans, will have the doll modelled on her with her striking green eyes, and will wear outfits created by India’s top designers. The Barbie deal signals to Aishwarya’s rising global popularity. She is among the four Indian film stars to have their waxwork image displayed at Madame Tussaud’s, the others being her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan and yesteryear’s screen diva Helen. ■ PTI

AFP PHOTO

Sandhya in Aptha Mitra sequel Actress Sandhya has been roped in to play the lead role in Aptha Ratchaga, the sequel to Aptha Mitra, which was remade in Tamil as Chandramukhi. The director of the movie, P.Vasu, had initially planned to sign up actress Sneha for the role, but due to call-sheet problems she could not make it. It was actress Soundarya who played the lead role in Aptha Mitra.

Sayali Bhagat goes to Hollywood Former Miss India Sayali Bhagat, who is debuting in Tamil with actor S.J. Suryah’s Newtonin 3am Vidhi, is all set to act in a Hollywood thriller titled Shock. The actress, who plays a television anchor in Suryah’s film, also has Bollywood projects in hand. She is playing a prominent role in Subhash Ghai’s Paying Guest. Newtonin 3am Vidhi is being directed by Thai Muthuselvan.

12

ERGO Friday, March 27, 2009

C APTION ME!

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind on seeing this photograph? Get creative and coin an interesting caption to explain this picture. SMS the caption to 9094013535

Janani from RBS has nominated her friends as partners in crime. The pic was clicked after they bagged the ‘Team of the Day’ title in an event.

Thanks for the response. These are the captions we received for the biker photo. Christin Prabu.S, TCS-e-serve, Martin, Cognizant

Nothing is impossible: Here’s a man with sky under his feet and the ground above Arun Kumar, Allsec

Nothing is impossible since it says I’m possible Ganesh TCS, Dhana TCS-eserve

No fame without a risk Logesh, Infosys

Trust the lord; you will fly high and reach the top

My Lord, if I fall, please land in heaven, not in hell

Baskaran, Sundaram Finance

Man tries to reach God in so many ways but God has his own unique way of reaching man Daniel Rajkumar, Accenture

Bless you God Senthil Kumar.P, RR Donnelley

Aaj mein upar aasmaan niche Jyotika, RR Donnelley

Vijith, Cognizant

It looks like Vijay’s introduction scene in Vettaikaran Lokeswaran Allsec

Is this what called ‘being on cloud nine’ Jaya Bharathi, EDS, Senthil, Wipro

Humble thy self in the sight of the Lord

What goes up, comes down Ilangathir, Excelacom Technologies

Padma Gopal, Cognizant

Height of Audacity

The devotional D(r)iver

Guhanathan, CSS

Mukund, Scope International

That was a fun ride. In broad daylight! It turned out a heavenly flight to the abode of the Might? Amen Sridhar.R, STG

Thalai ku risk edukurathu ellam rusk ku sapudura mari Hari Krishnan, TCS-IDM

Self confidence will help everyone to reach better heights Sumin, HCL

Oh! Alma Mater Jesus you are Crucified but I’m Bikefied Unni Mohan, CSS

Now I can bless God

Jayakumar from Perot Systems has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. The picture was clicked at Queen’s Land theme park.

Fly high to kiss d sky. But don’t get low n get a blow Tejkiran, HCL

The heavenly dive Robin, Wipro

So much of risky gymnastics to touch the Lord Anu, TCS

Biker: God I’m above you. God: Good to see my son but very soon you will come to me. Moral: Bikers beware! Ameen, Nittany

It doesn’t matter where I see positive signs, I just soar towards it Prasanna, Wipro

Yuvaraj from HCL Technologies, Vadapalani, has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. The photo was taken at Ooty Pine forest.

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Friday, March 27, 2009

March 27 ■Dear mousy...Taj.... We wish u a very happy birthday... Iniya piranthanaal vaazhthukal... Indru pol, yendrum aananthamai vaazha vaazhthum... 7th July Stars Dhanyaa, Arathi (HCL), Subathra (RR Donnely), Nithya Kumaran(L&T), The 7th July Team

■Dear Shyloo, Wishing you Millions of greetings! Thousands of colors! Hundreds of wishes, Kg’s of sweets! Lots of Smiles! That is what we ask God 2 give you throughout ur Life! Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Dear. Let this Birthday bring all sorts of joy & Happiness in your life... Enjoy

Anbudan, Jas, Sugu, cat, Devi, chammu, Mani

■Dear Gopal, All of my heart, I send to you. All of my life, I’ll spend with you. With Love today and always. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Yours Loving, Sakthi, CTS

■Hey miss buzy bee, We all wish you a very happy birthday with loads of chocolates, even though these chocolates don’t suit to a COMMANDO like you. May all your wishes come true in life. With lots of best wishes Bala, Debjit, Mangai, Rakhi, Ranjoy, Rishabh, Sathya, Susmita, Tamalika. Excelacom Technologies Pvt. Ltd Hi Pradeep Mathew, Wish you many more happy returns of the day. As this time we learn from you, the dedication you have towards the job, we wish you Good

Health, Happiness, Love, Cheer, Laughs, Good times and many more Success this year and in years to come. With Love, Deepa Mirpuri (Entire Team Of Assets), IBM

■Dearmost Jillu, Congratzzz on becoming the Ms.CrossLinx ’09. You are the most talented and this award proves it.

With Luv, Chellu

■Dear All, As the new year dawns.... May it bring happiness and prosperity.... To you and your loved ones. Happy Ugadi!

Lift weights on Mexican Beaches; that’s not all… Move your body and exercise Like you’ve never done befora. Okay; that’s good; you’re finished; Now you can take a break; You’ve finally burned enough calories To have your birthday cake! Wish you many more happy returns of the day Divya ■Hi Lukeson Advance Happy Birthday.

Yours Kannan

Lipensa

March 28 Regards, Ponniah

■Dear Susi (The Tweety), Many More Happy returns of the day.Wishing you a birthday filled with fun and delight. You have got the most mesmerizing smile in the universe. So keep on smiling and live your life to the fullest and be naughty like the tweety. Happy to have you around always.

With tons of wishes From Ur M M J Calsoft

■Hi Divya, Hike across green Ireland; Bike the USA; Backpack through New Zealand, But don’t call it a day… Do yoga in lovely Paris; Jump rope in Katmandu; Avoid Italian pasta, (Well, maybe taste, but don’t you chew!) Climb atop Mt. Everest; Do aerobics on China’s Wall;

Govindarajan, Designer, Sify Technologies has doodled this.

■Hi Karthi, Many Many Happy Returns of the Day in Advance!!! May this year filled with Happiness & Joy for you.. Enjoy the each & every beauty moments of Life.... Best Regards, Asababy, Lakshmy, Jothi, Indu & Bagi Wipro Technologies

■Dear Deepak, Your birthday is the perfect time To wish you nothing less Than favourite memories, plans And dreams That Bring You Happiness, For Birthdays Are A Link Between The Future And The Past, Reminding Us To Treasure Most Those Special Joys That Last Today Is Your Day To Celebrate Your Day To Be The Star So Let The Ones You Love All Cheer And Say How Special You Are !

From Infosys Train Gang

■Dear Daniel, In my past life, God said a gem is going to be born on 28th march and I give u a boon that u get to be this beautiful gem’s life partner..couldnt ask for anything more but thank God for giving me a lovable, wonderful (no words to express) person like u...(Daniel Prabhaharan) Happy birthday sweetheart.... Priya, Wipro Technologies

Belated wishes ■Dear Kalpana, May Your Life be Brighter as each Birthday comes and goes , With New Happiness unfolding like the Petal of a Rose ...! Have a Wonderful Birthday...! Regards, Ranjini, Sheela, Nivhya iNautix Technologies.

■Hai Comedian(Shereef)! Imitation Manna nee un birthday treat ku invitation vekkatalum unaku wish panrom.. Happy Birthday SKCET boy.. Unoda Cute Paasakara Devadaiyum wish panra pa... Advance happy birthday to u dhosthu…. By, Ilaya sooravalikal

■Dear Karthi, Though we are miles apart, here is a wish coming for you from someone very close to your heart. Wish you a very very happy belated birthday wish. Cheers, Anu, TCS

Veena Muddapur of EDS has been nominated as Office Angel by Telstra - PSA Team. Veena is a very friendly, energetic & enthusiastic person. She is a good organizer. We will never forget her attitude, sound knowledge in applications and way of working in our Team. We wish her ALL THE BEST!!

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ERGO Friday, March 27, 2009

Traffic Jam

Hero parrot A parrot whose cries of alarm helped save the life of a choking girl in the U.S. has been hailed a hero.

sudoku

It took Vimal Kumar of Reed Elsevier India 20 minutes to shoot this bird, which was playing hide and seek. He titles it ’Bliss of natural hues’.

Preference this month is being given to photographs that talk about ‘happiness’, which you need to tell us in a line or two. Please do not repeat any of your previous pictures and also make sure that the photograph is people-oriented. Happiness is not always a smile, so put on your thinking caps and keep clicking! Winners can collect their gift vouchers on Sundays, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at Ergo office

So you think you would make a terrific photographer but never really had the platform? Mail us your best work and we’ll publish it in this space, with credit. E-mail: [email protected]

TEAM Editor: Karthik Subramanian [email protected]

Sr Dy Chief Designer: J.A. Prem Kumar Dy Chief Designer: R. Ravi Kannan Illustrator: R. Venugopal Technical Support: V.R. Vasudevan, K.G. Gurumurthy N. Ravichandran, E. Baskar

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: Contact: 2857 5757 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.goergo.in Head of Circulation: M.G.M. Sharief [email protected]

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Printed and Published by S. Karthik on behalf of KASTURI & SONS LTD., at Plot B-6 & B-7, CMDA Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar, Chengleput Taluk, Kancheepuram Dist., Pin: 603209 & at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002. Editor: S. Karthik (Editor responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act). RNI No. TNENG/2007/24553

KAKURO

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Friday, March 27, 2009

Word’s worth “Kaibun” (kye-bun) a Japanese palindrome. Since Japanese is not an alphabetic language, the units being reversed are not letters but moras, and are usally phrases or sentences and not single words (although single-word kaibun are possible). A famous kaibun is “Na-ru-to wo to-ru-na” (Do not take my naruto (spiral-shaped fishcake)). Because Japanese is written vertically, kaibun are not the same “backwards and forwards” but the same when read from the top or the bottom.

B.C ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 You may feel that it’s time to be practical and think about money matters concerning your career. Ensure that your focus doesn’t shift from work. You may wish to spend money on beloved one but may end up holding the strings of your purse tight!

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20 You may be very firm and unchangeable in your views at office. This inflexibility may be taken as your stubbornness by others. In personal life, you may nurture your love relationship greatly. You may be passionate and demanding too.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20 Ganesha finds you working very hard in altogether wrong direction at office. Due to some technical issue, you could be misguided but if you use logic it will help you fix the problem. In personal life you may feel that you are sacrificing far way too much!

BORN LOSER

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20 It’s a lucky day at office and also in personal life. You may be given due credit for your hard work and dedication. Ganesha finds you very sentimental and expressive in front of your beloved one. It’s a favourable day to propose or woo someone special.

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20 You will be performing with best of your abilities and your energy levels too would be very high, while you are at work. Personal relations may also remain in perfect rhythm, which will make your love life smoother and better.

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

FREE RANGE

WORKING IT OUT

Your systematic way of working will help you finish off all the tasks assigned to you, right in time. It’s favourable day for re-arranging database. In domestic and love life, ensure that you display required concern to your lover or life partner.

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20 It is an average day for your at office. You may feel unenthusiastic as you may believe that it’s better to clear pending work first before starting new one. Be sure that your colleagues take and understand this in right spirit.

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20 Today you may not be in a mood to put in much effort at workplace – for reason unknown! The day doesn’t favour you much so be more attentive and careful in routine work at office. Love life may be easygoing.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20 You will appreciate work done by others and others will give you due credit but still there are chances of criticism, which you would not be able to digest. Ganesha suggests you to learn from remarks given by others.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20 Your focus will remain on creative part of the job. You may make the best use of technology and electronic gadgets today. You may learn many new things which will be useful in your career. You will enjoy love and compassion once you are home. or

PREVIOUS ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20 Even if you try to focus all your energies and strength towards work, you may find it hard to concentrate. Ganesha feels that your mind is swinging between personal and professional problems.

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20 Ganesha finds you handling regular communications and routine work with ease. Don’t get carried away by suggestions given by others. You are flexible by nature but today you may be bit inflexible in your views about personal life and domestic matters. Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni

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ERGO Friday, March 27, 2009