Ergo March 31

A BYTE OF LIFE

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

02 STUCK TO IRON A magnet is the means of livelihood for many FREE CIRCULATION

Vol. 3

No. 60

END GAME? The ICL may have reached its end as they debate to release few of their top international stars for national duty, robbing the tournament of the little sheen it had. » PAGE 08

07 POLL PREDICTORS On what went wrong in 2004

02 NAMMA CHENNAI

ERGO Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Rock Show Goethe-Institut/ Max Mueller Bhavan present an electro rock concert, ‘Mouse on Mars’ on April 2 at 7.30 p.m. The concert will be held at #67, 3rd Cross Street, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar. For details call 2833 1314/ 2833 2343.

EU film fest N

ineteen countries and 19 films. The 14th European Union Film Festival promises to be a real treat if you are a movie lover. The Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation in association with The European Union is organising the European Union Film Festival. The festival will be inaugurated on April 3 at 6.15 p.m. and two films each will be screened everyday from April 4 to 12.

April 4 Could this be love (France) and Do not think about it (Italy)

April 5 Relatives (Hungary) and Happy Family (Netherlands)

April 6 Teah (Slovenia) and Seven Billiards Tables (Spain)

April 7 Arabian Nights (Luxembourg) and Beauty and the bastard (Finland)

April 8 Return of the storks (Slovakia) and The Front Line (Ireland)

A scrap collector at work in Ambattur Industrial Estate

April 9 Totally Married (Greece) and The Black Pimpernel (Sweden)

A still from a film

April 10 Fighter (Denmark) and Sophie Scholl (German)

April 11 Hania (Poland) and Trial (Portugal)

April 12 Welcome Home (Austria) and A Perfect Match (Belgium) All the films will be screened at the South Indian Film Chamber Theatre, Gemini Circle at 6.15 p.m. and 8 p.m. For details call 98401 51956

Attracting iron for a living There are people who go around automobile spare parts hubs and industrial estates armed with a magnet attached to one end of a stick PETLEE PETER [email protected]

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he tool of the trade for a painter is his brush. For a journalist it is the pen and for a techie the high-end computer. Interestingly, for a few men and women in Chennai, their work tool is a mere magnet. Believe it or not, they make a living out of this unique job that is, at times, even passed on to them by their parents.Welcome to the world of iron scrap hunters who can be spotted with a piece of magnet at the end of a wooden stick on their hand. Moving the magnet-fixed stick over every nook and corner of the city, they hope to attract nuts, bolts or any iron matter, which they sell at the end of the day for their livelihood. Twenty-four-year-old Amoi scans through the automobile spare parts den in the city, Pudu-

pet, and Ambattur Industrial Estate for a living. Part of a Narikkurava community temporarily camped behind the Madras High Court complex, Amoi says she has been collecting iron with magnets for a few years now. “Some days, I’m lucky to find more iron and end up with some good money to take home. Sometimes, my stick has attracted even bigger objects, like a pocket radio that I use at home even to this day,” she says. Amoi takes a break on Sundays as establishments at her work spots remain closed on the day. The magnets are usually cylindrical and are retrieved from old radios or even dismantled heavy machinery parts. Custom-made and fixed on the tail-end of a thick wooden stick, some even have attached brushes to the magnet to clean their picks. These scrap collectors usually

carry a bucket or a bag to save their collection to sell it after work. “Our efforts will fetch Rs. 11 or Rs. 12 per kilo of iron. Wastepaper shops usually pay without hesitating as they know we have acquired them after a day-long honest handwork,” adds 47-yearold Samikannu, who also frequents Pudupet and some streets around the Guindy Industrial Estate. Both Amoi and Samikannu refused to pose for photographs. An elderly woman scrap collector, who finally consented, however, refused to reveal her identity. “Don’t ask me my name but I can tell you that I have been collecting iron with magnets for more than 20 years after quitting my job as a domestic help, which paid very less,” says the senior citizen, while going through a bin with her stick to find iron for food. ■

03

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Bag it Calonge has launched its new collection for this season, which includes handbags and footwear. These stylish and trendy bags are also suited for the summer and come in broad straps and weaved in diagonal directions.

Quotable coats Even after 60-odd years, Syed Bawkher & Co. is still the numero uno when it comes to premium tailor-made clothing for men DEEPA VENKATRAMAN

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ne doesn’t need to go to Italy or Paris to get a tailor-made coat, suit or even a trousseau when there is a couture pour homme next door. From a selection of fabric of international class at their outlet to counselling on the styles and patterns, Syed Bawkher and Co. has maintained the reputation of having a monopoly in the market of tailoring premium male formals since 1955 in namma Chennai. The who’s who of Chennai, like actor Thyagarajan and his son Prashanth, music maestro A.R. Rahman and industrialists, are a regular at the Bawkhers.

Sons and brothers Syed, who started the first shop on Mount Road, immediately taught the tricks of the trade and the art of stitching to his grandson, Sajjad Ahmed, when he was completing his schooling. In 1956, Syed passed away but this did not stop the business; it grew even more over the last few decades. Sajjad says, “It was a big responsibility but I enjoyed it as I was passionate about what my grandfather

Time Line 1955: Syed Bawkher moved his base from Bangalore to Chennai (on Mount Road) 1955 to 1956: Syed later passed away that year. Sajjad took over the responsibility and his brother Ajaiz joined him. 1988: Sajjad and Ajaiz have their own shops 1998: Salim, Sajjad’s son, started his own shop in Anna Nagar 2001: Sajjad along with his son Junaid shifted their shop to Aarti Arcade, Radha Krishna Salai

taught me. My father took care of the administration side and in due course my brother Aijaz joined in. In the late ‘80s, my father wished to expand the setup and also wanted us to be independent. Hence, Aijaz and I started our own outlets in Cathedral Road and Nungambakkam respectively. While my brother remained in the same place, we then moved Aarti Arcade on Radhakrishna Salai. My son Salim too runs his own shop now at Anna Nagar.” Junaid, Sajjad’s second son, opted to be with his father and help him in the business.

Suitings, shirtings All the outlets stitch coats, sherwanis, shirts and trousers only out of the cloth they have in the shop. While coats made of terry wool (blend of polyester and wool) and light-weight cashmere (pure wool) range from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 45,000, shirts made of linen or pure cotton are for Rs 2,500 onwards. Despite the steep rates, they are still number one in the southern region, for the secret of their success is their great grandfather’s recipe – taking customised orders and incorporating traditional old patterns of tailoring the garments. Bawkher & Co. have always played the designer’s role to their customers. Junaid says, “We don’t believe in labelling or branding our garments and we are happy with the present way of working. Like a designer, either my father or I suggest what suits our client based on their built and complexion. After cutting the cloth ourselves, we give it to the tailors just to do the stitching, which is also mostly done by hand except on the sides.” December is peak season. “During the winter break, a lot of NRIs give orders as they get better quality at half the price they get from abroad and that’s when our sales are very high,” he says. Would the fifth generation continue the business? Junaid answers, “This profession requires 365 days’ commitment and I really can’t say whether my children would agree to it.” When it comes to expansion, Junaid says he is happy with their present state and wouldn’t think of expanding further. ■

Junaid Ahmed poses at the Aarti Arcade outlet of Syed Bawkher and Co. PHOTO: S.S. KUMAR

04 TECHNORAMA

ERGO Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Snippets sourced from T3 magazine of Infomedia18 Group

CANNY PANNY CREATING MEMORIES IN HIGH DEF Panasonic’s HDC-HS300 and TM300 camcorders have a 1920x1080 resolution and a 3MOS sensor system normally found only on pro camcorders. They’ll perform near-miracles in low light, thanks to a luminance of 1.6 lux and optically correct your images 4,000 times a second. Just don’t point ‘em at ugly people. The time lapse feature allows you to record at specified time intervals, aiding creating of recordings that can show long duration scenes in an abnormally short period of time –the blossoming of a flower for example. TBC, www.panasonic.com

SHOOT FROM THE HIP Almost a good as real life …

PANASONIC SDR-S26 It’s only standard def, but it’s the world’s first camcorder that comes with a mammoth 70X optical zoom, allowing you to capture craters on the moon on a clear night! Cool, huh?

PANASONIC SDR-H80

PANASONIC SDR-SW21

This is the hard drive toting bro of the flash-based S26. Both models also include sumptuous features like intelligent auto, advanced OIS and easy YouTube uploading

Tough and compact with waterproofing down to 2m for use even in seawater, this baby is also shockproof to withstand a 1.2m drop, and dustproof as well.

05

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Trying to find something on a web page? Don’t spend time scrolling up and down. Instead, hold down the Ctrl key and tap the letter F to bring up the Find dialog box. Type what you’re looking for and press Enter. If it’s on the web page, your browser will move directly to the place.

US $ Pound Euro 100 Yen

51.08 72.48 67.52 52.78

SOURCE: RBI

Search made easy

Now, wave to charge your iPod The new technology could power various electronic devices without using batteries

F

orget about plugging your iPod or BlackBerry into a power source ever again, for now you can charge these devices just by waving your hand, or stretching your arm, and even by taking a walk. Scientists at Georgia have now come up with a new technology, called ‘nanogenerator’ that converts mechanical energy from body movements or even the flow of blood in the body into electric energy. “This research will have a major impact on defence technology, environmental monitoring, biomedical sciences and even personal electronics,” said lead researcher Zhong Lin Wang, Regents’ Professor, School of Material Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The new nanogenerator could have countless applications, among them a way to run electronic devices used by the military when troops are far in the

ANI

Beware of spam touting Windows updates

Netbooks with integrated UMTS catch signals well Netbooks with integrated UMTS modules generally offer good reception strength and are downright quick when it comes to broadcasting their own signals, according to a recent study by the Stuttgart-based Connect magazine. The magazine tested three current netbooks with integrated UMTS units for wireless data transfer. The fastest in the

field. The researchers have described how it’s possible to harvest energy from the environment by converting low-frequency vibrations, like simple body movements, the beating of the heart or movement of the wind, into electricity, using zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires that conduct the electricity. The ZnO nanowires are piezoelectric - they generate an electric current when subjected to mechanical stress. The diameter and length of the wire are 1/5,000th and 1/25th the diameter of a human hair. The process of generating energy from movement made the researchers to conclude that it was most effective to develop a method that worked at low frequencies and was based on flexible materials. The ZnO nanowires met these requirements. Also, Wang said that a real advantage of the technology was that the nanowires could be

grown easily on a wide variety of surfaces, like metals, ceramics, polymers, clothing and even tents. And the nanogenerators could operate in the air or in liquids once properly packaged. “Quite simply, this technology can be used to generate energy under any circumstances as long as there is movement,” said Wang. The nanogenerator would be particularly critical to troops in the field, where they are far from energy sources and need to use sensors or communication devices. Wang also said that having a sensor, which doesn’t need batteries, could be extremely useful to the military and police, sampling air for potential bioterrorism attacks in the United States. Although biosensors have been miniaturized and can be implanted under the skin, he points out that such devices still require batteries, and the new nanogenerator would offer much more flexibility. A major advantage of the new technology is that many nanogenerators can produce electricity continuously and simultaneously. The study was presented at the American Chemical Society’s 237th National Meeting. ■

pack was the Acer Aspire One A150x 3G, with a built-in UMTS module from Qualcomm. It far outstripped the performance of the UMTS cell phones available in the past two years. Netbooks from Samsung (NP- NC10 3G) and LG (X110) also turned in at least above-average performances compared with UMTS cell phones. ■ DPA

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indows PC owners are advised to trash any email messages claiming to provide a fix for flaws in Service Packs 1 and 2. The messages are actually from hackers trying to lure unsuspecting users into following the download link. Instead of fixing the ostensible flaw, the program on the other side installs malware onto the user’s computer. Trend Micro, a security solutions provider, is sounding the alarm on this practice Spam email messages claiming to provide important updates for Windows users are unfortunately nothing new, says Microsoft

spokesman Thomas Baumgaertner. He warns users to install only security updates delivered directly from Microsoft itself. The company releases security updates online every other Tuesday at up-

date.microsoft.com, and in the event of an emergency. “We never send software by mail,” Baumgaertner says. That means that any e-mail claiming to have an update as an attachment is a fake, no matter how persuasive it seems. “We would never do any more than send a link that leads to our site.” The safest bet is to set the computer to install the updates automatically, the Microsoft spokesman notes. To check if the function is already on the computer, open the ‘Windows Update’ function in the control panel. ■ DPA

06 VILLAGE

ERGO Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Village for sale The German village of Liebon is currently up for sale on the Internet.

Bookies offer 25/1 odds Rooneys would call newborn Waynetta As England striker Wayne Rooney and wife Coleen prepare to welcome their first child together - bookies are betting on what would they call their little tot. Coleen, 22, is three months pregnant now. “They don’t know whether it’s a boy or a girl yet - they don’t mind either way,” the Sun quoted a source close to the couple as saying. However, William Hill has offered 25/1 odds that they would call a little girl Waynetta, inspired by the comedy character in Harry Enfield’s TV show. And if they have a baby boy, the couple is likely (4/1odds) to name him Alex, after Wayne’s Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. ANI

China shuts down 162 websites containing lewd videos Chinese authorities have shut down 162 websites that had been found providing pornographic and “lewd” content in their audio or video segments, according to a statement released by the country’s online watchdog on Monday. The blocked websites had not acquired permits to broadcast audio and video programs issued by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), said a statement issued by the Special Operation Office for Crackdown on online Porn and Lewd Content. The websites include www.baigujing.com, www.bt990.com and other sites mainly based in Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong Provinces. The SARFT also asked all websites not to post TV series online, which had not been censored by the administration. Xinhua

Brit University offers degree course on Facebook, Twitter! Birmingham City University is offering one-year MA degree in Social Media will also explain how to set up blogs and publish podcasts. The 4,400pound course, which will start next year, is being advertised through a makeshift video on the university’s website. Course convener Jon Hickman said he had received a good response from potential students. “It’s not for freaks or IT geeks, the tools learnt on this course will be accessible to many people,” the Telegraph quoted Hickman as saying. “During the course we will consider what people can do on Facebook and Twitter, and how they can be used for communication and marketing purposes,” he added. ANI

Siemens to build Abu Dhabi power plant German engineering giant Siemens has won a contract worth more than 469 million dollars to build a power plant with an integrated seawater desalination facility in the United Arab Emirates, the company announced on Monday. The plant is to be built with South Korean partners at Shuweihat, 200 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi. It is expected to go on stream in September 2011. The combined cycle power gas and steam generator plant will generate 1,500 megawatts of electricity and feed 455,000 cubic meters of water daily into the local drinking water network, Siemens said. DPA

Meet Mr Frog, AGE 37 R esearchers have stumbled upon a 37-year-old frog in New Zealand, making it one of the longest living frogs known to science. A male of the threatened species called Maud Island Frog was found to be 37 years old, another male was 35 and a female was 34. Most frog species live between four and 15 years. A study by a team from Victoria University of Wellington led by associate professor Ben Bell recently found the frogs during an ongoing study. Bell said Maud Island Frogs have proven to be some of the oldest known frogs in the wild. “What I thought might be a five-year

The Maud Island Frogs have proven to be the oldest known frogs in the wild

study is still ongoing, with many frogs surviving over 25 years. We also studied Archey’s frog and Hochstetter’s frog in the Coromandel Ranges (of New Zealand), and discovered these species are long-lived also. Our oldest known Archey’s frog is 23 years old, and Hochstetter’s frog is 12 years old.” Bell is director of Victoria University’s Centre for Biodiversity and Restoration Ecology, and his study of Archey’s frog in the Coromandel Ranges alerted conservation agencies to the species’ sud-

den decline in the late 1990s. His team discovered that the species was infected with the pathological amphibian chytrid fungus there. Bell said the team also initiated a trial translocation of 100 Maud Island Frogs to a restored site at Boat Bay on Maud Island 25 years ago, which had proven successful. IANS

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Nightmare elections The 2004 Lok Sabha elections brought psephologists to the forefront but a severe beating at the end of it left them tongue-tied AYON SENGUPTA [email protected]

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The Election Commission this year has put a blanket ban on publishing results of exit polls and opinion polls from 48 hours before voting till the end of all phases of the election

44 DAYS TO GO...

he 2004 general elections saw a high media frenzy and also the coming of age of pollsters or psephologists who were there at every corner, hawking formulas and predicting the future of the Indian electorate. While political pundits were always there in India, commenting about election swings, the more western and statistics-on theirfingertips election gurus made their most prominent appearances in 2004. But their first big public demonstration (where they, at times, overshadowed even the largerthan-life Indian politicians) also saw them fall flat, as the voters decided to give a huge referendum against them. None of the top five opinion or exit poll agencies in the country got their predictions right and were left humbled and awestruck. According to all the major surveys conducted prior to the elections, the ruling NDA alliance led by the BJP was reported to be miles ahead, heading comfortably towards the finish line. There was to be no photo-finish even if the coalition fell slightly short of the half-way majority mark of 272 in the 543-seat Lok Sabha. The Indian public, though, thought otherwise and it was the Congress-led UPA alliance that formed the government with 219 seats with outside support from Left parties. The NDA managed only 187. Yashwant Deshmukh, founderdirector of CVoter which conducted pre-poll surveys for Star News, says: “2004 was a story of paradox-

es. I would say our predictions were best for that election but we still got it terribly wrong. We had said that BJP would get 36% share of the votes and Congress 35% and we were spot on. But the conversion of vote share into the number of seats works on various formulas generally related to a two-party system. In a multi-party scenario like India it is impossible to predict the number of seats based on the vote share.” Praveen Rai, project manger for Lokniti, Centre for Studies of Developing Societies, says the vastness of the Indian electorate adds to the problems of the pollsters. “The very varied nature of the Indian system makes it difficult for a psephologist. Even with a sample as big as 40,000 it’s difficult to be sure of a positive prediction,” he says. “In 2004, unfortunately, the agencies did not factor the strength of the DMK-Congress alliance in Tamil Nadu and with them sweeping the state all predictions went haywire.” Deshmukh from CVoter presents a more elaborate argument. “Even if we say 2004 saw a fractured mandate, if we look at the state-wise results we will find it was usually a sweep by one alliance.

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh went for the Congress, Kerala went against them. UP and Bihar went against the ruling NDA. West Bengal was swept aside by the Left and in all these places the other parties, particularly the ruling coalition, were supposed to get at least some minimal seats,” he says. “It is all right to get the surveys done. But the onus is on how you read it. You need a senior journalist or a social scientist to

VOX POP

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analyse the data. A market researcher cannot interpret it.” Taking a cue from him, BJP’s national spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad says: “It’s a whole different ball game to conduct a survey for selling toothpastes and another to judge how people will vote. Indian strategists should learn the difference soon.” Commenting about the 2004 election that party left his party flummoxed after enjoying an early ‘projected’ lead, Prasad says: “We still don’t know what happened in 2004. The government had done a good job and there was a sense of wellbeing. I think it was pure antiincumbency against a few of our MPs and allies.” His counterpart from the Congress, Manish Tiwari, has a more simplistic view. “I think the pollsters also got carried away by the media hype,” he says. ■

08 SPORT

ERGO Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Jeev finishes tied 27th The 16th hole bogey snapped an incredible string of par shots as Jeev Milkha Singh signed off with one-over 71 to finish tied 27th in the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament in Orlando. Jeev parred each of his first 15 holes before the par-four 16th caught him off guard, costing him a stroke.

ICL to ‘let go’ its contracted Pak and New Zealand players? Both countries stand to benefit should such a move happen as ICL had usurped some of the best cricketers from them for its league

PHOTO: PTI

AYON SENGUPTA [email protected]

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peculation was rife on Monday that the Essel Groupbacked Indian Cricket League, usually referred to by the BCCI as the ‘rebel’ T20 league, is all set to let go of the Pakistan and New Zealand cricketers in its league. The move is being watched closely by analysts and fans alike, as it could eventually bolster the respective national sides, as it is a well-known fact that ICL has usurped some of the best talents from the countries. The ICL had already called off one tournament in the wake of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. The players had already complained on losing out on match fee because of the move. In Pakistan, all-rounder Abdur

Razzaq, who had retired from international cricket to join the league, has claimed that that all his ICL teammates will get a ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) from ICL within the next week. Like other cricket boards across the world, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had also banned ICL players from their national side. “I have informed the PCB about my availability and as soon as I get the NOC I will furnish it to them,” Razzaq was quoted as saying in a Pakistani daily Daily Times. “The ICL has cleared all our dues.” The move possibly will pave the way for senior players like Razzaq, Mohammed Sami, Rana Naved and Imran Nazir to make a comeback to the national side. Even players from New Zealand are expected to be released after a meeting between ICL

business head Himangshu Modi and one of their directors, Tony Greig in Sydney later this week. The Kiwis suffering from short of experience during their ongoing home series against India are surely to welcome the likes of Shane Bond and Darryl Tuffey to the team. ICL chairman Kapil Dev, said: “We have never stopped our players from representing the national side. Playing for you country is paramount and we will help them in every ways for that.” Kapil was ambiguous of the fact that whether the players will be released from all obligations towards the ICL. “We haven’t released any players but there every option can be exercised if the player has a desire to play for the country,” he said. A shift from the past, when ICL

had taken Pakistani batsman Mohammed Yousuf to court after he had declined to joined the “rebel” League and continued playing for the national side after signing with them. But hinting at a possible solution, he said due announcements will be made shortly. However, former India international and Royal Bengal Tigers’ batsman, Rohan Gavaskar feels it won’t be easy for the Indian players in ICL ranks to shift back to the regular circuit. “Everything depends on the board. The PCB and NZC have been extremely patient and helpful to their players, allowing them to play domestic cricket. BCCI, on the other hand has taken a very strict stand,” he said. “So only if the BCCI is unconditionally ready to take the players back to its fold the Indians will think about it.” ■

09

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

‘‘

We are on a cricket tour and it would have set a bad precedent to allow a player to go home. Kevin understood that fully and he just got on with it. He’s been very supportive and professional all tour. I’ve had a chat with Kevin about what he has said. It is dealt with from our point of view. Sometimes what he says is put in big headlines so he must be conscious of the attention what he says does receive.

A

heroic stand of 137 in nearly 11 hours at the crease by Gautam Gambhir ensured the second Test between India and New Zealand ended in a draw on Monday. When Gambhir’s match-saving, marathon performance came to an end he had batted through three days’ play and rescued his side from a perilous situation. After New Zealand made 619/9 declared, India were in strife when they were rolled for 305 in their first innings and lost their opening second innings wicket at 30 when asked to follow on.

Composed knock But Gambhir, in his 24th Test, was unfazed by the carnage and set about a rescue mission that lasted 642 minutes and ended with India all but safe. It was left to VVS Laxman on 124, the 14th century of his Test career, and Yuvraj Singh on 54 to bat out the last two hours and get India across the line. They were 162 runs ahead and their 1-0 series lead was intact when time was called 70 minutes early. India, who won the first Test by a handsome 10 wickets, have not won a series in New Zealand in 40 years. New Zealand have one chance left to salvage a draw from this threegame series when the final match starts in Wellington on Friday. The second Test was played on an extremely placid wicket with the bowling damage concentrated in one 26-over burst on the third day when New Zealand ripped out six wickets for just 58 runs. With conditions against the bowlers, the five days of cricket produced 1,400 runs including a double century, four centuries and seven half-centuries.

Rightly rewarded Jesse Ryder, who made 201 and was on the field for all but three hours of the Test, was the man-of-the-match, but Gambhir’s second innings response for India, when he came in on Saturday and departed on Monday, was exemplary. That he scored 64 fewer runs than Ryder mattered little to India. Of more importance was that he soaked up 153 more minutes

Gambhir, Laxman’s marathon effort secures draw

England captain Andrew Strauss on Kevin Pietersen after he asked to fly home for 48 hours to be with his wife

of playing time than the New Zealander. His dogged fifth Test century was the seventh longest stand by an Indian, though it was also the lowest score among the top 30 innings of endurance by Indian batsmen. “He’s the only one who saved the game for us,” said Indian captain Virender Sehwag. “I think we can call him ‘the second wall’,” he added, acknowledging also veteran run-maker Rahul Dravid, with innings of 83 and 62, who is known as “The Wall” for his stoic performances. New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori saw only positives for the way his side turned a first Test hiding into a second encounter that his team mostly dominated. “After the performance we had in Hamilton, to bounce back and play like we did here is very pleasing, apart from the disappointment of not winning,” he said. “The performances of Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor (151) and Brendon McCullum (115) with the bat and backed up by a magnificent first innings bowling spell, I think the amount of pressure we put India under was fantastic.”

Jeetan Patel with a ball that straightened and hit the pads plumb in front of the wicket. It came 12 runs after he survived the one true chance in his 436-ball innings when Iain O’Brien dropped a straightforward catch off Vettori at mid-on. After India’s rescue mission began shakily with the early dismissal of stand-in captain Virender Sehwag, Gautam shared in partnerships of 133 with Dravid, 97 with Sachin Tendulkar and 96 with Laxman. New Zealand removed Indian talisman Tendulkar early on the final day when he was caught behind for 64 after being teased by a succession of deliveries well wide of offstump by Chris Martin. Tendulkar drove the fourth Martin ball to the boundary and resisted the temptation to strike again

until the fifth over when he stretched out to drive and the ball edged through to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum. Patel was the most successful of the New Zealand bowlers with two for 120 while Martin and Daniel Vettori had a wicket apiece.

Brief scores New Zealand 619/8 (J. Ryder 201, R. Taylor 151, B. McCullum 115, D. Vettori 55, J. Franklin 52) drew with India 305 (R. Dravid 83, VVS Laxman 76) and 476/4 (G. Gambhir 137, VVS Laxman 124 not out, S. Tendulkar 64, Yuvraj Singh 54 not out). ■ AFP

Sedate start After resuming the final day at 252/2, India only added 145 runs in the first two sessions as survival remained their priority. Laxman and Yuvraj opened up in the final session when the result was beyond doubt and the umpires called an end to the game 70 minutes early. Gambhir increased his overnight score by just 35 in three hours before his near chanceless innings was undone by

India scrape through VVS Laxman (right) celebrates after scoring a century as teammate Yuvraj Singh looks on during the final day of the second Test match between New Zealand and India at McLean Park in Napier on Monday. PHOTO: AFP

10 FLICK

ERGO Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Jacko may attend Goody’s funeral Michael Jackson will reportedly join other mourners at Jade Goody’s funeral on April 4. The King of Pop was said to have extended his support to the family of the late Brit reality star who lost her battle to cervical cancer on March 22 aged 27.

Kangana Ranaut on playing Madhubala in Once Upon A Time

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‘‘Madhubala’s Madhubala’s rrole ole iiss nnot ot aass ttragic ragic aass m ther rroles’ oles’ myy oother Ad fetches Rubina more than what Slumdog Millionaire did

angana Ranaut is set to play the legendary Madhubala in a film titled Once Upon A Time, but she says looking as beautiful as the late actress is a challenge. “I’ve never thought of myself as beautiful. In fact, I’ve always suffered from low self-esteem. Till recently I’d look at my pictures and cringe. I still have the pictures from my first portfolio I got done in Chandigarh. They remind me of how ugly I can look. And to now play Madhubala in Once Upon A Time. How will I do it?” Kangana says. Set in Mumbai, Once Upon a Time is about Madhubala, who was said to be the love interest of the 1960s underworld don Haji Mastan. While Kangana plays Madhubala, Ajay Devgan will essay the role of Haji Mastan in the movie being produced by Ekta Kapoor. Milan Luthria, who has directed films like Taxi No. 9211 and Hattrick, wields the megaphone for the movie. “Madhubala’s role

is not as tragic as my other roles. It’s basically a very tender romance between this really funny don and this female superstar who can’t understand his personality,” Kangana says. “How will I manage to play the most beautiful woman that Indian cinema has ever seen? My characters have always had a dark and light side. And this one is no exception. But the challenge for me is to look almost ethereally beautiful, like Madhubala. How will I manage that?” Kangana intends to undergo a complete transformation as far as looks are concerned. And she has already started watching DVDs of Madhubala’s films to prepare for the role. “I won’t copy her, but I want to get into her mind and heart space,” Kangana, who played the main lead in Woh Lamhe, a semi-autobiography of Parveen Babi’s life, laughs when people tell her playing the traumatised love interest of the underworld don would be a cakewalk for her. “I’m proud of my so-called territory as an actress. If playing traumatised women is my territory, then I’m glad because I know I’m good at it,” she signs off. ■ IANS

Aniston, ‘Friends’ hairstylist part ways

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lumdog Millionaire star Rubina Ali is said to have been paid more than the Oscarwinning film for a drinks commercial with Hollywood superstar Nicole Kidman. According to the nine-year-old slum dweller’s father, the money Rubina is receiving for doing the ad is more than the total she got for the film. “The Slumdog Millionaire people haven’t kept all their promises despite all the media attention. We have no information about the supposed trust fund and the 21-pound-a-month that they were giving for her studies has stopped coming,” the Telegraph quoted Rafiq Ali as saying. “The money she is receiving for doing this ad is more than the total she got for Slumdog…,” he added. He hopes that Rubina’s rising profile could lead to a better life for the family. “We are very proud of her and hope she continues to become a big star. Maybe then we will be able to live in a proper house,” he said. ■

ennifer Aniston’s hairstylist for the last 15 years will no longer be cutting her widely imitated locks, for he now wants to build his celebrity clientele. Ever since Chris McMillan has created Aniston’s ‘Rachel’ haircut on sitcom Friends in the 1990s, the two of them have become very good friends. And the actress is so particular that she doesn’t let any other hairdressers touch her blonde locks. In fact, she reportedly paid a whopping 40,000 pounds for McMillan to accompany her on a weeklong promotional trip across Europe earlier this month. But now, the duo has reportedly parted ways as McMillan is training another guru how to style her hair, so he can work on other clients. “Chris is instructing someone else on how to do Jen’s hair because he’s not on set. Chris is focused on building his celebrity clientele and Jennifer wants to experiment with her look,” the Daily Express quoted a source as telling the Mail. ■

ANI

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Posters at New Jersey According to actor Suriya, Ayan is the first Tamil movie whose posters are being displayed at a metro station in New Jersey.

Is Heigl a part of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’?

Cine City

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atherine Heigl has revealed that she will stay on with the US medical drama Grey’s Anatomy if they want her to. Heigl (30), who plays the part of Dr. Izzie Stevens, said during a studio party to mark the ABC show’s 100th episode that it was still too early to tell whether she would be continuing or not, reports the China Daily. “I was assuming that at one point and I got a lot of shrugged shoulders and shakes of the head, so I don’t know if that’s a yes or a no. No one will tell me and I don’t know how this is going to go,” she said. “I don’t know if I live or die. I don’t know how Izzie fares. I’m there if Izzie remains part of Grey’s Anatomy,” she added. Heigl’s character survived brain surgery in the March 26 episode, and there has been speculation that her Dr. Izzie Stevens role might be killed off, as she is pursuing her film career. The Roswell star has, however, revealed that she is comfortable doing both movies and TV shows, and that she can take on big-screen projects during the summer break for Grey’s Anatomy. “I’m more than happy to make that compromise. As my agent likes to say, ‘High-class problems,’” she said. “I don’t know if I want to continue for five years working 12 months a year, but I can take at least another year or two,” she added. ■

All style, no substance! Sagar alias Jacky, the latest Malayalam cinema running in theatres in the city, may not have received rave reviews from critics, but Mohanlal’s fans will make sure you get the dose of a Lalaettan film, what with all the hoots and whistles. The film is a sequel to Irupatham Noottandu. Apparently, Sagar alias Jacky had promised to be the mother of all stylish films, but this seems to have much style and no substance. There are too many shades of Big-B in the film, many movie-goers say. Now, this is something that Lal fans are not going to accept!

ANI

I was assuming that (I’m there in Grey’s Anatomy) at one point and I got a lot of shrugged shoulders and shakes of the head, so I don’t know if that’s a yes or a no. No one will tell me and I don’t know how this is going to go,” she said

Jo hates movie talk at home Apparently, actor Suriya’s wife Jyothika has ordered a strict ‘no-no’ to any sort of movie talk at home. The heartthrob was heard laughing about this at a recent press gathering in the city to announce his upcoming flick. He also revealed that some of his fans watch his movies only because he is Jo’s man and he is proud about that. A proud husband indeed.

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ERGO Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Today’s Query: Did you ever have an unusual habit as a kid? What was it?

Ashish from ExcelaCom Technologies has nominated his group as Partners in Crime. The picture was clicked at DakshinChitra.

Kundana Rayapati from has nominated her friends as Partners in crime.This pic was clicked in Guna Caves. Nayeem from Wipro has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked at Wayanad.

Prasanna R. has nominated Team Kshatriyas as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked at Vandaloor Zoo

This 12-member team have been working on the same project for the last six months and this is one outing to Queensland they love to remember. Gnanasekar from MindTree, Mahindra World City sent us this picture.

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

■ Hey Venkat(Pullayar...) Many more happy returns of the day. Have great and lovable years ahead...Always I will be with you.... Vimal of Sify Technologies has been nominated as Office Angel by Srikanth. He is a very cheerful, ever smiling housekeeping person. He is all serious when in work but carries with him the teenage naughtiness.

Regards, Siva C (Thala) TCS e-Serve

■ Dear Binu, Many many happy returns of the day. May God bless you. Wish you happiness and joy in life And many more birthdays to bring you delight. Let your dreams come true.Be happy always..... Best wishes from Verizon Quality Team

■ Dear Yuva, We Wish you have the hand that touches yours for a loving caress and you have many warm memories for your heart to store away, that will bring lots of sun shine in rainy days. May our entire blessings shower on you which make you both Dazzling through out your LIFE. Wish you a happy married life in advance

Art featured in this column will receive gift coupons from Fruit Shop on Greams Road. Send in your addresses so that we can post the coupons.

Cheers Route 4 friends, Scope international

Vidyasankar Sundararaman of Patni Computers Ltd doodled this.

■ Dear Shob, " Moon smiling for U Trees dancing for U Birds singing for U To wish U Happy B’day " Regards, Shanmugam B

■ Dear Syndia Happy Birthday to You! Let All Your Wishes Come True This Year!! Many More Happy Returns of this Day! Keep Smiling – forever. Man-1: Kalyanathukku munnadi saadhu-va irundha unga paiyan ippo yeppadi irukkan? Man-2: Sedhu-vaa ((vikram film)) maarittan... Man-1: Andha ponnukku roja poo koduthiyae, adha vaangi thalai-la vachukittalaa? Man-2: Illada, yen kaadhula vachuttaadaa... Mohamed Yusufdeen, HCL

Best Wishes – Sakthi & Suresh, Wipro Technologies, Chennai.

■ Hey Venky Many More Happy Returns Of The Day , U Deserve The Best In Life, Let Your Life Be Full Filled With Joy And Happiness

And All You Need More’ I Wish You For Your Great Birthday. May God Bless You. Regards, Deepa Mirpuri Ishwar

■ Hi Baskar Luvly yr ahead:) Njoi n ave fun:) Wish u all success n happiness in ur life :) Happy being ur Frenz :) Forever Urz Lakshmi and friends.

■ Hi Sivaguru, Freedom in the mind, Faith in the words, Pride in our souls, Lets salute Our Sivaguru ... We all wish you a happy birthday Guruji, You truly stand up to your name. Regards, Harish & Lokesh Hewitt Associates

■ Hi Ravikumar May this birthday be just the beginning of a year filled with happy memories, wonderful moments and shining dreams! Cheers, Nainar, Coastal Training Technologies India (P) Ltd,

■ Dear Bhavani Raghupathy, Once a year I get the chance To wish you birthday cheer.It pleases me no end to say,I wish you another great year.So happy birthday to you Brindha, From the bottom of my heart. And may your good times multiply,Till they’re flying off the chart! With Love, Bhavani Ananthan. Team Beacon.

■ Dear Maclean, Wish you Happy B’day.May all your dreams cum true.We guys join hands to wish you a great nd fun year ahead :) Cheers, Nandha & DSS DBA Team, Motorola - TCS.

14 TRAFFIC JAM

ERGO Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Hopping mad More than 250 people in northern Bangladesh have attended a wedding ceremony between two frogs as part of a ritual to bring rain to the parched region.

sudoku

Smile Please! Clickpick has completed its month-long run on the theme ‘Happiness’. Hemamalini Velayutham of TCS, Siruseri sent us this picture.

KAKURO 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

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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

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Magic makeover

Word’s worth

The landlord of a historic Herefordshire pub woke up to find someone had given it an overnight makeover.

“Majoun” (muh-joon) an intoxicating Middle Eastern candy made of cannabis, ghee, honey, and spices.

B.C ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 If at all there is a situation where you feel confused, don’t hesitate in asking for help. Ganesha feels that your superiors will be more than happy to help you out. On the love front, you might have to get special gifts for your beloved.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20 Your demonstrative speech will impress others in meetings. Ganesha feels these meetings might change your perception towards abilities of other people. You might start accepting that other people can have equally good abilities.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20 Ganesha feels that you should focus on communications at work today. Hence, try to avoid direct talk with colleagues, unless it is an important meeting. Similarly, in personal life try to avoid nagging or you might face major issues.

BORN LOSER

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20 The best way for luck to show up, is to have patience. Ganesha notes that if you become impatient you are likely to waste a lot of time. Also, do not force your views and opinions on other. While family life will be peaceful.

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20 Sentiments and emotions might drench you in the morning, regardless of what you are dealing with. Interestingly, the noon may appear with a paradox. Ganesha feels you will be more practical towards your final objective later during the day.

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

FREE RANGE

WORKING IT OUT

You may feel like giving unwanted advises today, most of which will go in vain. You may not only feel philosophical, but will also focus on loss and gain at work. You may wish to establish a more spiritual union with your partner.

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20 When the going gets tough, the tough get going, believes Ganesha. You should focus more on the solutions than the problems. Some sudden errors or discrepancies may pop up, but nothing to be bothered about.

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20 A positive change in your work style! That is good news as you will be able to balance your personal and professional life perfectly. You have an uncanny ability of judging people but Ganesha advises you not to be ‘black and white’ with people.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20 You seem to be in an esoteric mood today. You might feel uninterested in taking up heavy or serious issues. Office might seem boring unless you take onus of doing something new. Romantic life may not witness any changes.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20 Ganesha insists that you should focus more on long term plans. You might become more practical at work, but your relationship might face a serious contemplation. But the day is quite positive for you, says Ganesha.

PREVIOUS ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20 Ganesha finds you full of life. You might get opportunities to learn or adapt new things at work. Ganesha finds you in a cheerful mood all day long. You may feel like developing good skills on the personal front to maintain harmonious relationships.

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20 You might have to put in a lot of efforts for arranging meetings and other office related work. Post lunch important discussions with colleagues might keep you occupied. But never mind, evening will be pleasant, assures Ganesha. Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni

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ERGO Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Bond girl Olga Kurylenko arrives in London’s Mayfair on Sunday to attend the 2009 Empire Film Awards. AFP PHOTO/ MAX NASH

A visitor holds a gun next to a mock target portraying Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in the newly renovated restaurant ‘Kryvka’ in Lviv. This popular restaurant, whose name means ‘clandestine shelter’, aims at celebrating the controversial Ukrainian Insurgents Army (UPA) created in 1942. AFP PHOTO/ YURIY DYACHYSHYN

All over an ‘h’

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row erupted on Monday over an official decision to put the letter ‘h’ into the name of the New Zealand North Island city Wanganui to restore its original Maori spelling after 155 years. The ruling came from the New Zealand Geographic Board, which is the last word on the spelling of places on the map, and follows its decision 18 years ago to change the name of the river that flows through the city of 40,000 people to Whanganui. The board agreed with a local Maori tribe that the city was spelled incorrectly by British colonists in 1854 when they adopted the indigenous people’s name for the place, a port city 200 kilometres north of the capital, Wellington. City councillor Rana Waitai said the word Whanganui meant ‘large harbour’ in Maori but Wanganui had no linguistic meaning and a name change would correct an historical inaccuracy. But enraged city mayor Michael Laws promised to fight the spelling change which he said “is seeking to destroy our culture and heritage.” The council voted 8-5 against the change last month and Laws noted that 82 per cent of voters wanted the name Wanganui kept in a referendum on the issue in 2006. ■ DPA