Ergo May 6

At 28 years of age, Shadab Jakati, Goan footballer turned cricketer with a monthly club income of Rs.12,000, has finally hit bull’s eye. He is namma Chennai Super Kings’ find of the season. Let’s raise a toast.

A BYTE OF LIFE

FREE CIRCULATION

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Vol. 3

No. 83

Shadab Jakati

MIND IT! » PAGE 09

04 SHOPPING AT TIFFANY’S

02 NAMMA CHENNAI

ERGO Wednesday, May 6, 2009

’Mom and I’ Courtyard Marriott have come up with an offer for Mother’s Day which will entitle mom to dine free at Paprika. Jackpot wheel, rapid fire contest, slogan writing contest are some events organised. The buffet are priced between Rs.645 – Rs.1245. For further details contact @ 66764000

Archer back in City World renowned author and playwright Jeffrey Archer will tour India from May 11 to May 19, in collaboration with Landmark and Citibank, to share his experience on his latest book ‘Paths of Glory’. He will kick off his second visit to the country with Chennai on May 11 and will also be visiting Landmark outlets in Mumbai, Gurgaon, Pune and Bangalore. The ‘Landmark Jeffrey Archer Tour’ provides an opportunity for ardent fans to interact with their favourite author, who will be visiting the landmark outlets in the city on May 11. This tour will also mark a beginning to a year long tie-up between Landmark and Citibank where in Citibank cardholders will get an opportunity to meet with Jeffery Archer and avail exclusive offers from Landmark retail and online stores on a regular basis. During his Chennai visit Lord Archer will also launch the translated version of his books ‘A Twist In The Tale’ and ‘Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less’ in Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. ■

How simple is my bhelpuri! At Madras Bhelpuri, a humble plate of bhelpuri comes with 33 different ingredients! V. HARIPRIYA [email protected]

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ittle did M. Lingam, a native of Thanjavur, realise that the bhelpuri shop he opened in Pondy Bazaar would attract a clientele spanning three generations. Catering to the chaat lovers of namma Chennai since 1975, Madras Bhelpuri is one of the oldest shops that started selling bhelpuri – a plate used to cost Rs. 2 then! This corner shop, located on Rajabhathar Street behind Naidu Hall, is now managed by M. Lingam and his son L. Raja. Apart from chaat items, the shop also sells fruit juices and fresh fruit salads. As the evening sets in, the shop is abuzz with activity. Shopaholics, to get a respite from the brimming crowds of Pondy Bazaar, head to Madras Bhelpuri for a quick bite or a glass of fresh juice. And the major attraction is that the orders will be served in a jiffy. The hot picks are bhelpuri, samosa channa, paav bhaaji and fruit salad. And the secret of their tasty bhelpuri is the 33 different ingredients they mix together, Raja discloses. “Nowhere in Chennai would you get bhelpuri with 33 ingredients. The maximum they might add is 10. But we add more spices and vegetables to improve the taste,” says Raja. A plate of bhelpuri is sold for Rs. 20 here. Raja also adds that they prepare fruit juices only with mineral water and serve them in environmentfriendly paper cups. “We never compromise on hygiene and that’s the reason behind the loyal customers,” Raja smiles. ■

M. Lingam, owner of Madras Bhelpuri, in his shop at Pondy Bazaar. PHOTO: S. S. KUMAR

Madras Bhelpuri How to reach: Located on Rajabhathar Street, behind Naidu Hall Timings: 10.30 a.m. to 10.30 p.m.

03

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Kids and Colours

Oh, Captain! My Captain!

If you love to colour and if you are between the ages 5 and 15, then landmark has a treat in store for you! Celebrate World Colouring Day, with a colouring competition at Landmark, Apex Plaza, Nungambakkam between 3p.m.- 6p.m. For more details contact 42144444

Miffed with the DMDK, Kuppal G. Devados turns his ire on ‘Captain’ Vijayakant by sticking with the “real captain” Dhoni PETLEE PETER [email protected]

O

ne Captain ignored him. But Kuppal G.Devados, an independent candidate contesting from South Chennai, was quick to shrug it off by turning to the ultimate ‘Captain Cool’ M.S.Dhoni. A former DMDK functionary, Devados surely does not have the consent of Dhoni to use his images for his campaign. But the candidate, who felt ignored by Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam and its founder ‘Captain’ Vijayakant, could not find any better way of showing his dissent. “For this Lok Sabha election, the party had nominated a newcomer as its candidate for South Chennai when there are over 30 experienced people who have served Captain Vijayakant from his earlier acting days. In protest

against this move, I resigned from the party membership and went on to contest independently, hoping my cricket hero will bring me luck,” adds the 54-year-old. Devados’ campaign vehicle beaming big posters of Dhoni is turning heads wherever he goes seeking votes inside the South Chennai constituency. “It is interesting to see a candidate taking Dhoni as his leader. I think he will get a good number of votes from cricket

fans in South Chennai,” says autorickshaw driver Selvam after witnessing the campaign vehicle in Mandaveli on Tuesday morning. Apart from attracting curious crowds, this cricket-loving candidate claims to have gained the support of some local cricket teams in Mandaveli and adjoining areas. When many candidates seek votes from open vehicles, Devados stands different in this area as well. Interestingly, a platform erected in front of his Tata Sumo is where he stands and greets prospective voters. However, Kuppal G. Devados’ election symbol is a gas stove, not a cricket bat. ■

Kuppal G Devados, Independent candidate from South Chennai Constituency seen next to his campaign vehicle beaming Dhoni’s photos at Mandaveli. (Inset) Devados greeting people from the platform on his vehicle. PHOTOS : R_RAVINDRAN

"For this Lok Sabha election, the party had nominated a newcomer as its candidate for South Chennai when there are over 30 experienced people"

04 KALEIDOSCOPE

ERGO Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Shopping at Tiffany’s Get a piece of history at Bubli Jamal’s shop in Spencer Plaza

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ine out of 10 chances, you might have seen this shop on the 2nd floor of Spencer Plaza. The Victoria Station London clock at the shop entrance never ceases to draw stares. If you step in you’ll discover that it’s hardly the best thing available at Tiffany’s. The shop run by Bubli Jamal is a treasure chest of antiques from around the world – grandfather clocks, old glass lamps, pocket watches, ship instruments, gramophones, telephones, kerosene lamps, door knobs and crockery, to name just a few. “During 1910-20, my grandfather and father used to import things, mainly crockery. Those things have now become antique. Then, in the 1950s, the import licences were stopped,” recalls Jamal. After that, Jamal’s Corner Shop was started in Evening Bazaar in Parrys, which was later shifted to Pudupet. The Spencer Plaza shop opened in 1993 and Jamal’s Corner Shop in Pudupet functions as the workshop today. “My main passion is glass, especially that from the Victorian and Art Deco periods,” says Jamal. Besides original pieces, the shop also stocks a few reproductions, the aforementioned Victoria Station clock being one of them – a result of public demand for pieces that have long since gone out of production. A twin-weights grandfather clock, which needs to be wound once in eight days, occupies pride of the place. Sitting beside it is an 1880 grandfather skeletal (open-case) clock. Our conversation with Jamal is regularly punctuated by the pendulums of clocks set to different times – sometimes deep-throated gongs, sometimes cuckoos popping out of windows. Another piece of interest is the coffee percolator, the mother of what we now know as the filter coffee decoction maker, complete with spirit lamp, et al. Old gramophone records, porcelain from China’s Ming period and a portable gramophone are available, too. The story behind the store’s name is equally interesting. “Fifteen or 20 years ago, I got a Tiffany Studios lamp. I was fascinated with that piece! It was glass set in lead. I did not know it was Tiffany’s then. I discovered it only after I started studying it later. I had that lamp with me when I opened the shop. I kept it right in the middle of the shop. An Italian businessman bought it from me at a good price a couple of years later,” Jamal recalls. “If I had that lamp with me now, I will never sell it.” The shop also undertakes repair work for things old and complicated, says Jamal pointing to a customer’s pendulum clock that is now happily chiming. “I advise people not to throw things away. This is history!” Jamal says. Moreover, Jamal’s Corner Shop, the Pudupet workshop, has now put up antique furniture for sale at cost price. ■

Willow-pattern crockery

Tiffany’s Address: S, 20A, Phase I, 2nd floor (above Music World), Spencer Plaza, 769, Anna Salai, Chenni – 600 002 Ph: 2849 2044 Store timings: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Open all days)

A glass, iron and brass kerosene lamp

Coffee Percolator

Miniature mast ship

Telephone

Twin-weight grandfather clock (left) and skeletal clock. PHOTOS: R. RAVINDRAN

05

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

How to use an EVM, Lalu style

“Manmohan Singh has done tremendous things for the country. He is the best PM the country can have” Rahul Gandhi

The Railway Minister mimicking the sound of the EVM has become a huge hit

8

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ashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad is not just asking people to vote for him during his campaigns, he is also giving lessons on how to use electronic voting machines (EVMs) in his trademark rustic style with loads of humour thrown in. Lalu Prasad has been teaching people how to use the EVM correctly during each of his election meetings in Bihar’s Patliputra constituency where he is contesting from. “Listen carefully and try to learn to use EVMs the right way

as any mistake will spoil your vote ... it will cost me,” Lalu said at one of his rallies. What makes everyone listen is his humorous way of explaining things. With a dummy EVM in hand, Lalu said in Hindi: “Machinwa ko sahi se dekhna, bagal se khulega aur sahi se lalten par dabana, tab machinwa bolega peen-peen, agar nahin bola to samjho dal mein kuch kala hain.” When translated, it means: “See the machine carefully and when it is unlocked, you press the button near the

lantern (RJD’s symbol). It will then say ’peen-peen’ and if doesn’t then there is something wrong.” “Lalu’s style to explain the use of EVM to voters is unmatched like his overall campaign. We are impressed by him,” said Bishnu Razak, resident of a village near Maner. RJD MP Ramkirpal Yadav, who accompanied Lalu on his campaign, said he has managed to create voting awareness among the poor and illiterate in rural areas. “Unlike other politicians, Lalu-ji is the only leader who is

educating and motivating voters to vote the right way,” he said. “Lalu’s crowd-pulling ability and his charismatic image are evident during the campaign,” said Modassar Alam of Alba colony in Phulwarisharief. Apart from using the popular Bhojpuri dialect, Lalu Prasad also never fails to identify himself as being one amongst the villagers by recalling his humble beginnings, chewing tobacco and covering his head with a cotton towel to beat the scorching heat. ■ IANS

06 VILLAGE

ERGO Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Wife woes A Florida cop has been forced to resign after his vehicle was stolen and taken for a joyride - by his wife and motherin-law.

Lopez struggling to lose weight Singer Jennifer Lopez says she is struggling to lose her fat after giving birth to twins. The 39-year-old, who gave birth to twins Max and Emme last February, had gained 60 pounds during her pregnancy. “It is so funny! Once I gave birth, I dropped 30 pounds immediately and then the next 20 pounds came off right away. But I am still struggling to lose that last 10 pounds,” femalefirst.co.uk reported Lopez as saying. IANS

Obama is best brand on earth US President Barack Obama has been made to sound more like a brand than a President by his White House Social Secretary. Desiree Rogers made him sound like a product in an interview with the Wall Street Journal magazine. “We have the best brand on earth: the Obama brand . . . Our possibilities are endless,” the New York Post quoted her as telling the magazine. She went on to further explain that like all brands, Obama brand has a “crown jewel,” and that crown jewel is the White House.

Free Bruni CDs spark outrage A French government initiative to give away thousands of Carla Bruni CDs for free to promote exports has sparked an outrage in France amid plummeting popularity of President Nicolas Sarkozy, whom she married last year. The album will be dispatched to admirers of the former Italian supermodel-turned-pop singer with wine and cheese vouchers. Even as the government insists the initiative is aimed at pushing international food and drink sales, there is growing anger at the manner in which it seeks to promote the wife of the French President, the Daily Telegraph reported. French taxpayers are outraged that up to 1 million pounds of their money has been transferred to marketing agency Sopexa to plug the Italian-born singer’s songs, the report said.

ANI

PTI

Rihanna reunites with ex-beau It seems that pop star Rihanna has finally moved over Chris Brown and the assault controversy as the singer has reunited with her former sweetheart Negus Sealy. The Umbrella singer is said to have dated 24-year-old Sealy when she was a teenager and is now rumoured to have rekindled the romance after breaking up with Brown, News of the World reported. “Negus was a shoulder to cry on. He’s a really smart guy - clever, good looking, very cool. All the girls adore him. He and Rihanna were seeing each other before she hit the big time,” a source told the newspaper. PTI

Bank teaches rich kids how to stay rich

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ealth managers at Bank of Montreal kept hearing the same things from Canada’s richest families: Help me! My kids know nothing about money and will squander the family fortunes. Two years later, the one-day seminar aimed at the grown children of what the bank calls its “high net worth families” has a waiting list, and is taking to the road to teach heirs and heiresses across Canada how to manage their money. “Word has gotten out about the program,” said Jean Blacklock, vice-president of wealth services

at Canada’s fourth-largest bank. “Our competitors are not offering anything similar ... and parents are very happy to see how excited their children were after attending the seminar.” “Levels of interest vary,” admitted Jim Davies, the New-York based expert who teaches the daylong course. “You get one who says: ’I play the guitar and draw, and my father told me I have to go to this or he’d cut me off’.” The code word for the seminar is discretion. Blacklock declined to name clients, saying only that parents have a net worth of at least C$500,000 - the average is C$1.8

million ($1.5 million). She said it is frequently a family affair. “Siblings often come together, or we have cousin combinations,” Blacklock explained. Students, who typically range in age from 18 to 25 but can be as young as 14, have been ushered away to lunch and away from prying eyes, part of the ultra-discreet service the bank offers its best customers. The seminar, complete with hot breakfast, warm cookies at the break and lamb at lunch, is free - though Blacklock said the bank does manage to recoup some of the costs. ■ Reuters

07

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Italian tips Venice is getting makeover tips from bigwigs in Middlesbrough - parts of the Italian city are so run down officials have decided they need to take action.

The baby who needs 3,000 calories a day A

16-month-old Brit baby has to be fed 3,000 calories every day to help her survive. Tot Agatha Holloway, who almost died when she was born three months before her time, had been ordered to have a massive feast on a daily basis to help her catch up with the weight of other kids. The youngster, who weighed just 3lbs 11oz at birth, is surprisingly still small for her age at less than 17 pounds. Her man-sized diet includes high-calorie prescription milk, clotted cream, full fat butter, high fat roasted meats, chocolates so that she reaches the 3,000-calorie mark - 500 extra than the recommended daily intake for a grown man. Mom Samantha, a management consultant, revealed her daily struggle to feed the tot, who suffered a string of health problems in her first few months. “It’s hard and it goes against

your natural instincts as a mother, but it has to be done,” the Mirror quoted her as saying. “I have to feed her up, but I would never give her fast food. We have to find healthy but high-calorie meals. I never use ready meals because they are full of salt, which is bad,” she added. The 35-year-old mother continued: “We used to weigh her bib before each meal, and then afterwards to calculate how much food was wasted. If she hadn’t eaten enough, we had to keep trying throughout the day. Now she’s eating more for herself, and is drinking from a cup and straw.” A paediatric dietician at Agatha’s hospital in Surrey said: “Some children do need extra calories to help them grow. But it is important that they have a balanced diet which can be fortified with extra fats.” ■ ANI

Striped Troika

Ronaldo to buy a bus F

ootball ace striker Cristiano Ronaldo is buying a red double-decker bus to impress his nieces and nephews. The Manchester United winger marvels at the London buses when he’s with his team in the capital. And driving a slow bus might be just the job for him, The Daily Star reports. Ronaldo wants to convert a bus into a play palace for his nieces and nephews when they visit. He plans to drive them around the countryside near his home. The 120,000 pounds-a-week player will keep it in the back garden of his four million pound mansion. Ronaldo revealed his plan to a Portuguese newspaper,

saying: “For me the sight of the red London buses is what my first thoughts of England were.” “My nieces and nephews would love to play on one, so I’m going to buy one for them,” he added. Pals say Ronaldo, 24, is looking to splash out around 10,000 pounds and perhaps more to kit it out. His neighbours in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, joked it would be just like 70s TV comedy On The Buses, starring Reg Varney. “We’ve heard Cristiano wants to buy a bus, which will be a first for this area. We’ve been joking that he’ll be able to give us a lift to the shops, but I doubt he’ll drive it much,” said one local. ■ ANI

쒀 Circus trainer Frederic Edelstein holds three of four tiger cubs born in April at the Pinder circus in the southern French city of Marseille. The cubs were born to two females, Penelope and Lea, and a male called Moise. AFP PHOTO / GERARD JULIEN

08 SPORT

ERGO Wednesday, May 6, 2009

SLC appoints security consultant Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed a retired major general as its security consultant following the attack on the national team in Lahore in March. “Due to the global security threats and after the sequence of unfortunate incidents that the Sri Lankan team had to face, it is imperative that Sri Lanka Cricket is well equipped with the necessary tools in order to prevent such actions from taking place in the future,” the SLC said in a statement. “Therefore, Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to appoint Major General (Retd) Lawrence Fernando as the Security Consultant, effective May 1.”

Mallya bats for his team Royal Challengers Bangalore are slowly climbing the charts with some scintillating performances and its elated owner Vijay Mallya claimed the team has the potential to win the second Indian Premier League. “All I can say is, we have the talent and determination to play well and if that takes us to winning this tournament, then I will be the happiest main in the world,” said Mallya, owner of the team that finished the inaugural season as second from bottom. With three wins on the trot, the Royal Challengers are on an upward swing and Mallya felt it would be unwise to write off anyone in this format of the game. “Don’t underestimate those who are losing. Even those teams which have been winning all their games will lose as the law of averages will come into play. Yes, we lost a few matches and now we have bounced back. Now we are motivated and will try to keep the momentum going,” he said. The industrialist was happy the manner in which his side decimated Mumbai Indians on Sunday. “I think beating Mumbai by nine wickets in 18 overs and scoring 150 runs for one wicket is a great performance. I think all of us are really proud of our squad. We got everything right for the third time in a row. And this means that we can do it,” Mallya said.

AIFF announces national probables 27 probables to attend national camp in Delhi from June 22 ERGO CORRESPONDENT [email protected]

T

he All-India Football Federation has announced the list of 27 probables for the Asian Cup in 2011. The first camp under the supervision of national coach Bob Haughton will be held in Delhi from June 22 to July 7. Although the federation has scrapped the ambitious Vision 2011 project for the Asian Cup in Qatar due to the lack of funds, the players are expected to be tied up with long preparatory camps till the tournament. Earlier, AIFF in consultation with its coach had decided to take all national probables on its roll, paying them salaries according to their market value. But an estimated expenditure of Rs. 40 crore in two years has dissuaded the federation bosses and they have opted for “Plan B”. According to latest reports the team will travel either to Portugal or Spain directly from the conditioning camp for a month long stint. The team will be playing friendly matches against club sides there, before taking part in the Nehru Cup in the capital from 19-31 August. Further camps and friendly games will follow throughout the year and ultimately all the selected players will be given a short contract from 15 June, 2010 till 31 January, 2011. During this point all the national players will be debarred from playing for club sides and will be placed in a residential camp. Although only 27 players have been called in the first phase, more are expected to be called in if needed. The announcement will help the I-League clubs to work on their recruitment policy as most clubs are set to lose the services of the national players for a good part of the season. East Bengal with six players has the most number of players in the probables list followed by Mohun Bagan and Dempo. Both have five players each in the released list.

PTI

Man U make record bid for Ribery Manchester United have offered Bayern Munich 70 million Euros for French midfielder Franck Ribery, in a deal which would set a new world record, the Guardian newspaper reported on Tuesday. The offer, which would better the 66 million Euros transfer fee paid by Real Madrid for Zinedine Zidane in 2001, would be conditional on the sale of Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, it said. The report came after Ribery last week threatened to quit the German giants unless they qualify for the Champions League next season, as the defending Bundesliga champions struggle to defend their title. The German club, which has long ruled out letting Ribery go, last weekend hinted it could sell the 26-year-old former Marseille star, who has been at Bayern since July 2007. But the clubs reported as possible new homes have so far been Barcelona and Real Madrid. AFP

CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS: Baichung Bhutia PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

Probables: GOALKEEPERS: Arindam Bhattacharya, Subrata Pal, Subhashish Roy Choudhary. DEFENDERS: Govin Singh, Gourmangi Singh, Mahesh Gawli, Samir Naik, Surkumar Singh, Anwar Ali, Deepak Mondal, NS Manju, N Mohanraj, Rakesh Masih. MIDFIELDERS: Anthony Pereira, Clifford Miranda, Climax Lawrence, Meharjuddin Wadao, Syed Rahim Nabi, Renedy Singh, Baldip Singh, Jagpreet Singh, NP Pradeep, Steven Dias. FORWARDS: Sunil Chettri, Sushil Singh, Bhaichung Bhutia and Abhishek Yadav. ■

09

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

‘‘

I played football in school. I became interested in cricket by watching flood-lit tennis-ball cricket I Margao. When I was selected (for IPL), I wondered how the international players would be. But the dressing room atmosphere has been very good. Shadab Jakati

Turning it on AYON SENGUPTA [email protected]

A

forward with a lethal left-foot for his college side, Shadab Jakati is now getting batsmen in a tangle with his loop and guile in the ongoing Indian Premier League in South Africa. The Goan left-armer has picked up eight wickets in three games for Chennai Super Kings, overshadowing even Muttiah Muralitharan. A regular with the Goan Ranji Trophy side for the past five seasons, Jakati has always been a consistent performer for his state and South Zone. With 1,230 first-

class runs and 103 wickets, he is one of the most prolific performers for Goa. And whoever knows him is not surprised with his sudden tryst with fame. “Five seasons back, he was picked to play for one of the Lancashire League sides in England and ever since he has been a regular there. That stint helped him a lot,” says P.S. Sandhu, a former Ranji Trophy player for Goa. “He has been a regular performer for both Goa and South Zone at all age level and I think every cricket administrator in South knew about his potential.” Sandhu, who is also secretary of the Salgaocar Sports Club, was responsible to unearth Jakati’s talent in the football crazy land. “He hails from a middle class family and his dad Bashir Jakati was a scrap metal dealer. Like all the youngsters in Goa, Jakati too was hooked into football and was a regular forward for MES College of Arts And Commerce in Vasco,” he recalls. “He came to our nets when he was 14 and had the duty of picking up the balls. Once we were missing few of our net bowlers and I asked Shadab to roll his arms. He was a natural and was picked for Salgaocar’s second team when he was 15. At 17, he was inducted into our first team and has been a regular since. It was only then that he started taking cricket seriously.” A contracted player with Salgaocar, who are the current Goa Super League champions, he is one of the few professional players in the state

A footballer turned cricketer from Goa, Shabad Jakati has become the trump card of Chennai Super Kings in IPL2 and earns Rs. 12,000 a month from his club. “Compared to cricketers elsewhere and also our footballers he is earning peanuts but his perseverance has paid off,” Sandhu says. Former Indian fast bowler and Goa Ranji Trophy team coach Dodda Ganesh too speaks highly of his ward. “He is naturally very aggressive and is always attacking. Even after he was heaved for a six by the West Indian (Dwayne Smith) in last night’s game he still kept on tossing the ball and was rewarded ultimately.” For now Goans are enjoying Jakati’s stint in South Africa and according to Sandhu, bars at the beach front are tuning into IPL games, leaving aside their regular dose of European football. Chennai too is not complaining. ■

GOAN WIZARD: Shadab Jakati of Chennai Super Kings bowls during their IPL Twenty20 match against Deccan Chargers at the Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium in East London on Monday. PHOTO: AFP

10 FLICK

ERGO Wednesday, May 6, 2009

The key to beauty Julia Roberts says that the key to staying beautiful is always to be looking at someone who loves you. The 41-year-old actress has three kids 3-year-old twins Hazel and Phinnaeus and 1-year-old son, Henry, with husband Danny Moder. And Roberts insists all of them make her look beautiful.

A Rolling Stone gathers Rahman A.R. Rahman to team up with Mick Jagger

A

.R. Rahman has reportedly teamed up with former Rolling Stones member Mick Jagger for a song. Apart from Rahman, Jagger and singer Joss Stone have also roped in rapper-actor Nas and Jamaican musician Bob Marley’s sons Damian and Stephen for the song. According to thesun.co.uk, they have come together to work on a song that will be issued on the United Nation’s International Day of Peace that falls on September 21. “Joss and Mick hit it off when they worked with producer Dave Stewart on the Alfie soundtrack, so were keen to collaborate again. When this project was suggested they were keen to get on board, especially considering the glittering cast of other musicians involved,” a source said. ■ IANS

Mulder almost lost his Scully

Terminator needs no Schwarzenegger, says Bale

B

A

ctor Gillian Anderson has revealed that she nearly waved goodbye to her job on cult TV show The X-Files after getting pregnant. The 40-year-old, who plays FBI Special Agent Dana Scully in the American series, said had it not been for her onscreen chemistry with co-star David

Duchovny, she would have been sacked. “They would have loved to have punished me but realised there was steam picking up,” Contactmusic quoted her as saying. “I thought they were overreacting but now I see it from their perspective. I would have been bloody p**sed if I had been them and had cast a girl, against my better judgement, who got pregnant after the first season,” she added. ■ ANI

ritish actor Christian Bale says Arnold Schwarzenegger is no longer relevant to the Terminator movie franchise. The Terminator Salvation star who stars in the forthcoming instalment of the sci-fi series insists the new blockbuster is dramatically different from when the 61-year-old actorturned-politician played the title character in 1984, reports femalefirst.co.uk. “Terminator 2 is the original nightmare of just being pursued that everyone has, by somebody who just will not stop, never stops, doesn’t give up. When you’ve got someone who looked like Schwarzenegger coming after you, it made a big difference. But nowadays, it wouldn’t really – we’ve seen so many guys who imitated him and it just became a little passé,” he said. “The franchise doesn’t need him now because you can’t just keep re-hashing the same plot. Yes, Terminator is known for having this one singular figure of villainy that is constantly pursuing but how many times can you keep on doing it?” he added. ■ IANS

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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard wed The Dark Knight star Maggie Gyllenhaal and actor Peter Sarsgaard got married over the weekend in a small chapel in Brindisi, Italy, People.com reported on Monday. “We are happy to confirm that Maggie and Peter were married on Saturday, May 2,” her rep said in a statement. Among the guests were the actress’ younger brother, Jake Gyllenhaal, and his girlfriend, Reese Witherspoon. DPA

A

fter his last directorial venture, Yuvvraaj, failed at the box office, Subhash Ghai is now set for his first production of the year – Paying Guest – which he says is based on a humorous play that ran for two years in the US, Britain and the UAE. “Paying Guest is an out-and-out comedy based on a play of the same name and directed by Paritosh Painter. It ran for two years in the US, UK and UAE. Now the movie too is being directed by the director of the play,” says Ghai. The multi-starrer revolves around five close friends who stay together in Dubai and is set to hit screens next month. “In a comedy film like this, you really need genuinely talented actors rather than only a star who has a sale value. So we decided on Shreyas (Talpade), Javed Jaffery, Ashish Chowdhary, Celina (Jaitley), Neha Dhupia and so on,” he says. Ghai, whose production house Mukta Arts Pvt. Ltd. has produced successful films like Aitraaz and Iqbal among others, says his banner believes in churning out films of all budgets and genres. “For example, we produced Aitraaz, 36 China Town and Yuvvraaj with big budgets and Iqbal, Apna Sapna Money Money and Black and White as small budget movies,” Ghai says. Ghai has planned five more productions this year including Right Yaa Wrong, Hello Darling and three new projects to be launched soon. ■

Cine City

IANS

Ghai says

‘Hi!’

to comedy

Priyamani on Maxim cover National Award winning actress Priyamani joins the list of south indian heroines Asin and Shriya Saran, to model on the cover of the gloss magazine Maxim. Sources say that the bikini act she did for the Telugu flick Drona might be the reason for the offer from the magazine. And the actress is said to have consented to do it. Priyamani is currently doing Mani Ratnam’s Ravan.

Jeeva to do double act Actor Jeeva, who made his debut in Tamil with his father R.B.Choudary’s film Aasai Aasaiya will be doing a dual role in his upcoming flick Singam Puli. This is the first time the actor is doing a double act. The movie directed by Sai Ramani has Divya Spandana as the female lead. His last release Siva Manasula Sakthi was a hit.

12

ERGO Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Writers Club

ARE WE? HAARIKA PURUSHOTTAM Infosys

My little son was hopping beside me and I was trying to persuade him into walking. As we were walking I got lost in my thoughts. Five years back the same day I was in the hospital, it was the birth of my little son – the first and the last. He had been my only hope and in these five years I was walking my way breaking all mental barriers and thoughts in this wide world. I wanted my son to be happy but here I was finding it difficult even to make both ends meet. The best thing about kids is that is easy to make them happy. Little things make them happy but as they grow it becomes really difficult to handle them. “Muma” I shook from my thoughts and looked at him. He had a smile on his face that had put me on track all these years; he was the reason why I was alive. “Yes dear!” “Where are we going?” “To the Temple ma…” “Why?” “…to get the blessings of the lord.” “For…?” It made me wonder at the way he went on questioning but then I realized, that for a child there were no seven wonders but seventy thousand… “So that you can live longer” “Live and do what?” I wasn’t prepared for this question… To any other grown up, living long is more than enough and they need no reason for that. They just want to live longer but my little son wanted a reason. After a short pause I looked at him and with love in my eyes, said, “Serve the people dear.” He looked at me and I was expecting him to ask how but I got no more questions from him. The road was quiet- as usual. My son looked at me and asked,

“Mummy why isn’t there many people on the road?” “Curfew.” “What?” “Ah… Umm... It’s a law laid by the government to detain people from walking on the roads at certain times” “Why?” “Security issues…” “What…?” I did not have an answer. “You are too small for this.” He scowled and turned away. There was a big BLAST. We heard gunshots and then there was a big bang. We rushed to the building nearby that was remains of the recent war. A city that was so very beautiful then turned into battlefield. Those days they fought for their country as it was sweet and fitting to die for one’s country. But today, there is nothing sweet or fitting in your death; we die like a dog for no good reason. The very look in my son’s eyes showed me he was shocked to the core and terrified. I did not know how I could console him, but I knew I had to. “Subash, there is nothing to worry dear. You’re safe.” He looked into my eyes and in a confused state, asked me, “Am I?” I had no the answer but I just nodded with a fake smile. I was regrouping my senses and was trying to tell myself that we would be safe. But I knew the answer abruptly. Suddenly I saw a women beside me fall with a thud. I was shocked; she was bleeding, “I will get some help.” In a faint voice she said, “From whom?” “From… From…” I did not know from whom, everybody was busy saving the land by killing people. She looked at me and said, “Let them fight I need some land to bury me.” How gory… We were fighting for a war with no cause; we were fighting

to get our land back so that we could bury the many dead in this war for land. She held my sons hand and said, “I wish you LIVED in this world.” She was no more. My tears fell with a thud on that soil where people were shedding blood; I knew this soil would not be satisfied with drops of tears when all this while we have been feeding it with floods of blood. I was crying for a woman I had no relationship with, for a soul that was not mine. Five years back, this same day I lost Akash to this thirst-for-blood-war. The same day I was gifted with Subash. All this while I forgot Subash… I turned to him and he was in a state of confusion. I put my hand on his cheeks and kissed him on forehead and said, “She is fast asleep.” He seemed relieved. He peeped out and asked, “Why there is so much of commotion ma? Why are so many dead?” “Today is Independence day son… that’s the reason.” “Means…?” “60 years back we got our Independence the same day, we have every right to do what we want, and we can go where we want to. We can be ourselves son. That’s what is meant by saying we are Independent.” In a state of confusion he peeped outside and looking at the empty road he asked, “Are we…?” I had no an answer, I was searching within myself and fumbling with my thoughts. I was at loss for words. Suddenly my son fell down with a thud. The worst had happened; I saw a bullet shot on my sons head. He still held that smile that had kept me going all this while. Today 15-August-2008 (a year later) when I went back to the same building where I and my son had taken refuge, the same building where I lost my son, I sat there to get the feel of my son. I tried answering the questions that my son asked but finally ended up asking myself, “ARE WE?”

Want to contribute to Ergo Writer’s Club? Send us your shorts stories (running to no more than 400 words) and poems to [email protected]. We will carry the best entries we get in our tabloid. Editor

Ganesarajah of Birlasoft has nominated his batchmates as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked at Mahabalipuram

Jayakumar N. from Financial Software Systems (P) Ltd. has nominated his DCMS Team as Partners in Crime. This pic was clicked at their office during Diwali Celebration.

Neetha from Hexaware Technologies, Ambattur, has nominated her friends Lakshmi, Kavitha and Lavanya as Partners in Crime.

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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Rebina Basheer of Wipro has been nominated as Office Angel by Priya Dharsini. She is a very polite, humble, friendly and easy-going person. She makes a world of frolic and fun for us. She is famed as a humanitarian and advocate for the poor and helpless performers.

■ Dear Minu, My wife and Dearest Friend of mine, You are such a wonderful person, a Gift to me from God. I Love you so much. I cherish every moment with you. On this birthday, I wish you to be happy Always, as you have made my entire life happy by your presence. Many Many Happy Returns of the Day dear... Your ever loving Husband Jom (Wipro) with our adorable son Ryan

■ Hi Akash Kutty, Welcome to step into the beautiful second year. God blesses you for giving happiness in the remaining years. Wish you a very happy birthday!!!! With Luv Nethra, Hema, Anand

Arul Mathi C. from TCS doodled this

■ Dear D. Deepalakshmi(ND), Many many Happy return of the day. (Y)our Dream soon in real life. U live long healthy and Happy life. D.Nallathambi, Wipro

■ Dear Jai, "And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years." Wishing You Many More HaPpY Re"TuRn"Z of the Day....! Vijay with SIT Team, i-nautix

What according to you is the most compelling reason to vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls?

■ It’s interesting to choose the best among the worst

■ It’s one of my basic rights Sunil, TCS-eserve, Guna, Verizon

■ To ensure that I’m above 18 yrs of age and have the right to vote Lexsminarayanan, TCS-eserve, Dhananjayan, Scope International

■ To show my parents I’m not a kid 2 hold hands Guru Prasad Allsec

Yuvaraj, CSS Corp

With Cheers, NS Nainar, Coastal Training Technologies India

also registered

Sivanandam, TCS-eserve

2. Man: Swamiji ulagam en ipdi suthudhu…? Swamiji: oru quarter thanni adichaa manushanae suthum boadhu, 3quarter thanni irukura ulagam en sutha koodadhu?

■ Hi Arun KS May this special day be filled with sweet memories and happy hours. Wishing you all the fun and excitement that only birthdays can bring!

Tuesday’s Query:

■ Office-a cut adika thaan

1. Kuraikkira Naayi Kadikkaadhu.! Yean Theriyumaa.? Rendu velaiyaiyum Orey nearathula adhaala seiyya mudiyaadhilla adhaan.

Belated Wishes

■ There is no reason that one should not vote. Being a citizen of this country is enough reason that everyone should vote

CP.Rajesh, Allsec

Ramesh Wipro

■ Voting is no compulsion. Every Indian must vote. Indian constitution should be rewritten to make voting mandatory. Any constituency that records less than 60% votes should be totally ignored from any form of development and government services Prakash Srivatsan, HCL

■ To stop terrorism and scams Anantha Padmanabhan.TM, TCS

■ To make sure I choose the candidate and not a goon. I don’t want my rights to be used by any individual who is not authorised David Finny, Allsec

■ India also needs a change Haroon, Technosoft

■ We want effective Lok Sabha which will focus everything in all aspects

Vijayachakravarthy Infosys, Senthyl, Cognizant

■ Passion for making difference Saranya M., Cognizant

■ The reason is I’m a citizen Ramya Jayaseelan, Cognizant

■ To ensure that cashless votes are

Vicky, Technosoft

Today’s Query: Do you think CSK is fielding the best 11 it could? If you were a super selector, what advice would you give Dhoni?

14 TRAFFIC JAM

ERGO Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Walk like a lady Men have stepped into women’s shoes for once literally. Locals have been racing in stilettos in a high heeled running festival in China.

sudoku

R. Annamalai from Standard CharteredScope International has shot this picture in Chidambaram using his Panasonic FZ-8 camera. Hobbies: Photography, animation

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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Sat Nav supermarket

Word’s worth

British supermarkets are set to introduce satellite navigation gadgets - to help pensioners find their way around supermarkets.

Kenspeckle (ken-spek-uhl), a Scottish word meaning ‘conspicuous, easily recognizable’. The origin is not precisely known, but it may be related to a Swedish word meaning ‘quick at recognizing people or things.’

B.C ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 Today’s astral energy will help you remain focused on your work. But afternoon clouds of confusion may block your thinking. Get creative in matters of the heart, says Ganesha. Play with words to convey your feelings to your sweetheart.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20 No single mood will rule your attitude today. You will express your views strongly, with your confidence reaching sky-high. But as the sun sets, so will your resolution. Ignoring your sweetheart may create trouble for you later, warns Ganesha.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20 It will be only sometime later in the afternoon that you will be able to gather your focus at work. Use more logic in your thinking and see where the day takes you. On the relationship front, love will blossom even after your partner catches you flirting.

BORN LOSER

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20 Today’s astral configuration is going to make you take chances with your luck. Don’t waste time after fruitless pursuits. Ganesha doesn’t foresee much comfort in your personal life. You are likely feel hurt if your partner raises doubts about your integrity.

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20 The day will find you rather busy at the workplace. Find solutions to perplexing technical errors by using your logic. At the love front, you will be able to fulfill your desire to be with your darling and this will surely cheer you up.

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

FREE RANGE

WORKING IT OUT

Today’s celestial energies will bless you with logical powers, which you can use to solve complex problems at the workplace. You can also do some R&D. Giving a cold shoulder to your lover isn’t going to work in your favour, says Ganesha.

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20 Today’s planetary energies will give you that extra dexterity to solve problems. Everyone will find your advice very valuable. With love being the first thing on your mind, you will call it a day sooner than usual and rush into the arms of your companion.

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20 Things may not go well today, says Ganesha. You need to focus all your energies on the work you do. Prudence is the key here. You must make compromises and adjustments if you want a smooth sailing in your love life.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20 A good day as far as personal life is concerned. With a deepening sense of understanding in your relationship, you will be drawn to your partner. Postponing an important assignment in office will help you balance your tasks.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20 Slow down your pace! The day doesn’t present the best time to take major decisions as your thoughts remain clouded and you may miss an important point. You may have a pleasurable experience in your love life, but emotional control is a must.

PREVIOUS ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20 Your energy to find creative solutions to professional problems will come to the fore. Stars are in your favour in the second half of the day. The innovative ways in which you will express your love to your sweetheart will add bliss to your personal life.

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20 You will be in a rather subdued mood. You are just not in the right frame of mind to handle important tasks at work. So, it’s best to avoid them. If you are willing to compromise, you will be able to strengthen your ties with your beloved. Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni

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ERGO Wednesday, May 6, 2009