Ergo October 14

A BYTE OF LIFE

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

09 FREE CIRCULATION

Vol. 2

10

SHOOTING STAR

VOW FACTOR

Chetri on India’s Nehru Cup win

JLo, Marc Anthony renew wedding vows

No. 196

MADE IN CHENNAI The legacy started by Poppat Jamal is continued by the third generation through many businesses – gas distribution, warehousing and music CDs.

» PAGE 03

Who is the executioner? PETLEE PETER [email protected]

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n Monday, September 8, 2008, residents of Periya Colony in Thiruninravur woke up to the shocking murder of an autorickshaw driver who was tied up and electrocuted using a livewire connected to his toes from a plug point. Police had registered a case of murder, but though it’s been more than a month since the body was discovered the cops remain clueless about the execution-style killing. The deceased was a 24-year-old auto rickshaw driver named Rajasekar, who was a resident of Sri Raghavendra Nagar in Thiruninravur. On September 7, Rajasekar’s parents lodged a ‘man missing’ police complaint after he didn’t return home from work since two days. Police launched a manhunt and found

his body inside a house in Mettu Street, Periya Colony. “The body was tied up and was in a half-burnt state. A wire was connected to the plug point and his toe, through which it is suspected that the current would have passed,” said an investigating officer. As part of the investigations, police initially detained a relative of Rajasekar, but no breakthrough has been achieved. However, there’s a police version that says the incident could be a case of suicide. “The deceased had the reputation of being an introvert and he seldom socialised with the people of his locality. Moreover, the house where he was found dead was locked from inside, raising suspicion that he might have committed suicide,” added the officer. But the fact that Rajasekar’s body was found in a bound state raises doubts over the suicide angle. ■

02 NAMMA CHENNAI

ERGO Tuesday, October 14, 2008

MY KINDA PLACE What are those memories – sweet or bitter – that you share about your hostel, paying guest accommodation or the rented flat you share with a few friends? Write to us telling which one among the three was good, better or worst. Do not send us more than 150 words. Write to us at [email protected] with the subject line MY KINDA PLACE before Wednesday noon.

Hire a driver Your driver has fallen ill, your aged parents need a chauffeur only on a particular day of the week to ferry them to the hospital or you are not in town for a week and the car needs to be used for the family members who do not know driving. Now, you could call exclusively for drivers depending on the number of hours required! ■ Sri Murugan Travels Contact Nos: 98412 84518/ 94445 52257 Avail the driver for a minimum of four hours at Rs. 150 ■ Top 4 Call Drivers Contact Nos: 2825 7777/ 2823 5275 Get the acting driver at Rs. 200 for six hours ■ Jayashree Travels Contact Nos: 6529 5959 Zip anywhere at Rs. 150 for four hours ■ Chennai Job Service Contact Nos: 6450 8454/ 6526 7886 They do not offer hourly service; instead you could hire them for a month at Rs. 6,500

Titillating, FOR MUSIC FANS The only fault with the Thierry ‘Titi’ Robin trio was that the synchronisation was a little too perfect

Thierry ’Titi’ Robin

Francis Varis

Ze Luis Nascimento

MITHRA SURESH

you, becomes a study of passion. One of the songs played is called ‘La Famille’ (The Family), which Robin remembers composing in his youth, as he sat with his siblings. “I remember playing this piece with my brothers and sister, while my mother was cooking in the kitchen and what could be more appropriate as I play this piece with two of my closest friends, who are now my family,” said Titi. The song was almost Greek, folk forms of which often figure the bouzouq. The song was reminiscent of the circular Greek dance, called sirtos. While Robin played the oud and bouzouq for three songs in

total, it was with the guitar that he spun Flamenco tunes, while Varis accompanied with the French accordion melody that often conjures images of waltzes by the promenade, against a backdrop of cafes and pigeons. The star of the evening, however, was Nascimento, who switched from the darbouka to bongo to cajon to bender to rain drum and more. In fact, at one point he managed to lull a foottapping crowd into silence as he emulated the gong of a grandfather clock, against the background of a ticking wall clock. If there is something that negated the concert, it was the trio’s synchronisation which, as a musician-friend pointed out, forms the soul of jazz. There was nothing impromptu and in-the-moment about their performance. At the precise moment Nascimento finished his percussion solo, Varis and Robin would join in to create a perfectly timed fusion of gypsy jazz music. ■

Rates are subject to change [email protected]

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or the musically inclined, what could be better than listening to live world music, under a starry night, beside shimmering waters? Thanks to Alliance Francaise, this was possible as the Thierry ‘Titi’ Robin trio recently played to a handful of invitees by the Taj Coromandel poolside. The trio consists of Titi Robin (oud, guitar, bouzouq), Francis Varis (accordion) and Ze Luis Nascimento (percussions), whose stoicism was reserved to the lawns, where eager fans asked about the numerous instruments on stage. On stage, the energy was inspiring, especially from Nascimento, whose orgasmic expressions as he seamlessly shifted from percussion to another was initially comical but then, as it grows on

What could be more appropriate as I play this piece with two of my closest friends, who are now my family

03

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

On your table since 1901

Though cutlery is what Poppat Jamal and Sons is known for, there are other pies they have their fingers in

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he next time you dine at Karaikudi restaurant on Radhakrishna Salai, make sure you look around to see the intricate works on those glowing Sweden lamps – with the name ‘Poppat Jamal and Brothers’ beautifully inscribed on each of them. The dome-shaped lamps are

amongst the many hallmarks the current generation takes pride in, reminiscent of the business Poppat Jamal started in Madras in 1901. Originally from Gujarat, Jamal was a wool trader and was also working with Ibrahim Peer Mohammed and Co., which was selling crockery and glass at its store in Broadway. When the owner decided to sell the company, Jamal bought it and named it Poppat Jamal and Brothers. In the 1920s the company was renamed Poppat Jamal and Sons. In 1954, after the death of Poppat Jamal, his four sons took over the business. Today, it is the third generation headed by Mahmud N. Jamal

that is taking care of the business. The Broadway store is handling administration and the business functions from its Anna Salai showroom, opposite Spencer Plaza. The wide range of plates, tea cups, coffee mugs, curry bowls and dinner sets remains the USP of Poppat Jamal and Sons even today. Proof of which is the fact that the brand has expanded outside the city, too. The shop has branches in Vijayawada, Kochi, Bombay, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Muvattupuzha. “There is no compromise on quality. People who drop in here are not bothered about the price. They are particular about quality,” Mahmud says.

Mahmud N. Jamal at the Poppat Jamal and Sons showroom. PHOTO R. RAVINDRAN

Apart from its cutlery business, the group also runs a gas distribution agency in Egmore and warehousing business in Aynavaram. CDs were another new addition, which the Poppat Jamal stores started selling since the ‘60s. “The focus is on devotional and classical music. I have with me someone who has thorough knowledge of music. People used to take advice from him on music. Customers even come from abroad to buy CDs in bulk,” says Mahmud. Inside the Mount Road branch, tucked away behind the crockery and glassware Poppat Jamal is so famous for, is a CD library of original music CDs. ■

Time line 1901: Poppat Jamal and Brothers opens in Broadway 1920s: The shop is shifted to another location in Broadway 1954: Poppat Jamal passes away and his four sons take over the business 1958: Mount Road branch is started 1967-68: Starts selling audio cassettes

04 KALEIDOSCOPE

ERGO Tuesday, October 14, 2008

‘‘

I don’t want a lot of good investments; I want a few outstanding ones. Philip Fisher

MySpace gives small operators online ad muscle

M An exhibitor builds up his stand for the Horti Fair in Amsterdam on Monday. The biggest horticultural fair in the world with more than 900 exhibitors from 50 countries will open tomorrow. AFP PHOTO

ySpace on Monday unleashed a tool to let small operators with tight budgets easily target online advertising to preferred demographics on the world’s leading social networking website. A ‘MyAds’ platform available at https://advertise.myspace.com provides simple tools for garage bands, small businesses or anyone else to reach out to audiences they feel will be receptive to their messages. The platform guides people through the process of designing ads and then launches advertising campaigns with budgets as low as 25 dollars. MySpace gets 25 cents each time someone “clicks” on Internet links build into display ads, meaning a budget of 25 dollars could last until 100 people visited an advertiser’s website.

Eliminating barriers “This is democratising the online display market and opening it up to the 20 million-plus small businesses in the United States, millions of bands and thousands of politicians looking for votes in November,” MySpace spokesman Jeff Berman told AFP. “We are eliminating the barriers to entry in the banner ad market. You have the reach you need

This handout combination of pictures released on October 13 by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology shows Mahru, a new robot, dancing in the institute’s showroom in Seoul. The robot developed by the state-funded Korea Institute of Science and Technology can move its lips, eyebrows and even pupils freely to make faces and can emit two kinds of fragrances to match its emotions. It can move upper body parts freely while walking on its legs. AFP PHOTO

STOCKTRACK 11329.11

3490.70

7.61

6.04

SENSEX

NIFTY

Unbreakable computer security closer to realisation Perfect secrecy has come a step closer with the launch of the world’s first computer network protected by unbreakable quantum encryption at a scientific conference in Vienna. The net-

MySpace gets 25 cents each time someone clicks on its internet links with the targeting capability we offer.” While online ad platforms at Internet powerhouses such as Google let advertisers buy “key words” to target ads depending on terms used in searches, MyAds targets ads at people businesses think will be most

interested. MySpace uses information provided by users to let advertisers send banner ads to social networking community members based on gender, age, location and interests. ■ .

work connects six locations across Vienna and in the nearby town of St. Poelten, using 200 km of standard commercial fibre optic cables. Quantum cryptography is completely different from the kinds of security schemes used on computer networks today.

ders. The news comes as a U.K. banking group revealed that phishing attacks were up more than 180 per cent in a year.

Phishing for bank details Fraudsters are taking advantage of the global financial turmoil, government and security experts tell the BBC. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a warning saying phishing hackers were using the credit crunch to extractvaluable information from consumers. A U.K. parliamentary group said it expected a move away from ID theft towards attacks on account hol-

AFP

Virgin customers lose email access Virgin customers have spent four days cut-off from their email after an alleged spam attack. The problem affected a company which processes messages delivered through the Virgin.net platform, according to the BBC. All legitimate emails were held back so the spam could be removed, a Virgin Media spokesman said.Emails were gradually being delivered now the fault was cleared, he added. He said these messages should now have been available but access via web mail may have been taking longer to restore. WENN

05

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

US $ Pound Euro 100 Yen

Online sitcom http://breakaleg.squarespace.com/ A portrait for every day http://www.365portraits.com/index.php

48.14 82.73 65.63 47.96

SOURCE: RBI

Websites of the day

Cycle rickshaws to ride on solar power Soleckshaw to be a key transport link at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi

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t’s been touted as a solution to urban India’s traffic woes, chronic pollution and fossil fuel dependence, as well as an escape from back-breaking human toil. A state-of-the-art, solar powered version of the humble cycle rickshaw promises to deliver on all this and more. The “soleckshaw,” unveiled this month in New Delhi, is a motorised cycle rickshaw that can be pedalled normally or run on a 36-volt solar battery. Developed by the state-run Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), prototypes are receiving a baptism of fire by being road-tested in Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk area.

“The most important achievement will be improving the lot of rickshaw drivers,” said Pradip Kumar Sarmah, head of the nonprofit Centre for Rural Development.

Rickshaws have to be seen as a part of the solution for modern traffic woes and pollution

Environment-friendly India has an estimated eight million cycle rickshaws. The makeover includes FM radios and power points for charging mobile phones during rides. Gone are the flimsy metal and wooden frames that give the regular Delhi rickshaws a tacky, sometimes dubious look. The “soleckshaw,” which has a top speed of 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) per hour, has a sturdier frame and sprung, foam seats for up to three people. The fullycharged solar battery will power the rickshaw for 50 to 70 kilometres (30 to 42 miles). Used batteries can be deposited at a centralised solar-powered charging station and replaced for a nominal fee. If the tests go well, the “soleckshaw” will be a key transport link between sporting venues at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Soleckshaw is an eco-friendly urban transport.

Going places “Rickshaws have to be seen as a part of the solution for modern traffic woes and pollution. They have never been the problem. The problem is the proliferation

Festival count

AFP PHOTO

of automobiles using fossil fuels,” she said. Initial public reaction to the “soleckshaw” has been generally favourable, and the rickshaw pullers have few doubts about its benefits.

“Pedalling the rickshaw was very difficult for me,” said Bappa Chatterjee, 25, who migrated to the capital from West Bengal and is one of the 500,000 pullers in Delhi. “I used to suffer chest pains and shortage of breath going up inclines. This is so much easier.” Mohammed Matin Ansari, another migrant from eastern Bihar state, said the new model offered parity with car, bus and scooter drivers. “Now we are as good as them,” he said. Indian authorities have big dreams for the “soleckshaw.” India’s Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal who hailed the invention for its “zero carbon foot print” said it should be used beyond the confines of Delhi. ■ AFP

Honey, no Goa for X-Mas 쑸 A potter paints the ‘Karva’, a special pot used during Karva Chouth, a festival of married women, in Bhopal on Monday PHOTO: A.M. FARUQUI

Airfares to Goa already up; ranging between Rs. 8,715 and Rs. 19,400 from Delhi

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f you are planning to fly to Goa this Christmas, you may be in for an expensive surprise. That is, even if you book tickets now as air fares to the holiday destination have already sky rocketed. The minimum fare from Delhi to Goa for December 24, the day that practically marks the beginning of the Christmas and New Year Celebrations, has already touched Rs. 8,715. The maximum goes up to Rs. 19,400. The minimum from Mumbai is Rs. 3,228, while the maximum can go up to Rs. 23, 910. The fares are inclusive of taxes. Considering minimum ticket price to the coastal state ranges only between Rs. 4,400 and Rs. 4,500 from Delhi for different airlines anytime in November, air travel would be at least twice as expensive during the festival time in December.

“Trend for the last many years suggests that a lot of people would fly to Goa. Even the hotels rates are high during that time,” Spicejet Chief Commercial Officer Samyukta Sridharan said. That may be the reason why tickets from low-cost carriers are not coming cheap either. Interestingly, the budget airlines tickets are higher than full-service carriers in most cases. For instance, the minimum fare ex-Delhi on SpiceJet on December 24 is Rs. 10,724, going up to Rs. 13,824 while the Indigo ticket would cost Rs. 12,024 as compared to Rs. 8,715 on Kingfisher and Rs. 9,724 on Jet Airways. The tickets for travel between December 22 and January 2 would be higher and people are willing to buy those tickets, Sridharan added. ■ PTI

06 VILLAGE

ERGO Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Ice Age mammoth The woolly mammoth, extinct since the Ice Age, had tusks almost 16 feet high.

Computers still not quite good enough to fool humans!

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ill computers ever be cleverer than humans? No one knows. But for now, at least, they are not so smarter to fool people, a test has shown. In the experiment, known as Turing Test, scientists tested six computers to see if these machines could actually pass themselves off as humans by holding conversations with people. In fact, the experiment, performed by conducting a textbased conversation on any subject, involved six ACEs or Artificial Conversational Entities which tried to fool human interrogators into thinking they were also human. Each interrogator has two screens and talks with a human and a machine at the same time. If they cannot tell the difference, the test is passed and the ACE can be said to be ‘thinking’.

Over 100 sick as too many cooks spoil broth Some 170 wedding banquet guests were rushed to hospital when powdered rust remover was added to the pot instead of salt after they all decided it needed spicing up a bit. The bride’s proud father invited friends and relatives to the banquet at a village in northern Hebei province on Friday, the night before the wedding, the Beijing News said. “All food was stewed in a big pot but after dinner started, all of them felt the taste was too bland,” the newspaper said. Someone added what he or she thought was salt – several times. An hour later, the guests were being rushed to hospital.

Though all the ACEs managed to fool at least one of their human interrogators, none could pass the threshold set by British mathematician Alan Turing in 1950 of fooling 30 per cent of human interrogators, The Daily Telegraph reported. The winning machine, known as Elbot, could only achieve a 25 per cent success rate. Prof Kevin Warwick of the University of Reading, who organised the test, said: “This has been a very exciting day with two of the machines getting very close to passing Turing Test for the first time. “This demonstrates how close machines are getting to reaching the milestone of communicating with us in a way in which we are comfortable. That eventual day will herald a new phase in our relationship with machines.” ■ PTI

Scientists tested six computers to see if these machines could actually pass themselves off as humans by holding conversations with people

Reuters

Pak woman becomes first Asian to skydive from 29,480 feet Namira Saleem, who is training to become Pakistan’s first astronaut, has become the first Asian to skydive from a height higher than Mount Everest. Saleem skydived from a height of 29,480 feet. “That included one minute of free fall, meaning I had to open the parachute one minute after jumping from the aircraft,” she told BBC Urdu. For a moment, she said, she felt as though she was ‘suspended’ in the air. She became the first Pakistani to reach the North and South poles in April 2007 and January 2008 respectively. Saleem said she did not need a lot of training for the jump and that she did it with only a few weeks of exercise. PTI

Two scuffling professors suspended from work Two Chinese professors, Yang Fan and Jin Shuren, were suspended from their jobs at the China University of Political Science and Law after getting into an argument. Yang claims Jin plagiarised passages in her book, China’s Human Resources Strategies in the 21st century. In a blog entry posted by Yang on Sunday on the sina.com.cn portal, he said he had received emails from an unnamed student, which disclosed plagiarism in Jin’s book. Yang said those emails claimed up to 60 per cent of the book was plagiarised from a student’s doctorate paper. Yang’s blog said Jin, in turn, reported him for plagiarising students’ work. Xinhua

China milk scandal companies apologise Three Chinese dairy companies have publicly apologised for their involvement in a toxic milk scandal that has killed at least four children and led to Chinese-made products pulled from shelves around the world. Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group, Mengniu Dairy and Bright Dairy Group were found earlier to have produced milk contaminated with melamine. The scandal has savaged the companies’ share prices and prompted Seattle-based coffee chain Starbucks Corp to pull Mengniu milk from its 300-plus stores last month. “I feel I have let everybody down. I have done so much, yet still done wrong,” said Mengniu’s marketing chief. Reuters

07

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Legal addict

This day, that year

It is not against the law in the U.S. to be a drug addict. In 1962, the Supreme Court called imprisonment for being an addict cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Bill of Rights.

It was in October 14, 1854 that the world’s first baby show was held at Springfield, Ohio.

Gemstone auction a new trend Mumbai-based art and jewellery house Ma Passion is gearing up to hold an auction of sculptures of precious and semiprecious stones

A

fter paintings, sculptures and installations it is now the turn of gemstone sculptures to go the auction way. Mumbai-based art and jewellery house Ma Passion is gearing up to hold an auction of sculptures of precious and semiprecious stones with the hope of reviving the ancient craft of gemstone carving said to have been handed down from the Mughals to the traditional Kumawat community in Jaipur. “The auction of these miniatures would be treated as conventional art,” says Dinesh Poddar, managing director of MaPassion, a listed company. Curated by art expert and author Nisha Jamwal the auction later this month would include 55 lots of hand-carved statues including among others, an emerald Ganesha with 1,000 mice, a crystal Buddha under the Bodhi tree and several nature-based themes such as fishes and a group of flying horses. “The intricate and painstakingly handcrafted ancient craft of India of gemstone carving is on its way to become extinct. The craftsmen are now a dying breed due to a lack of patronage,” Jamwal

said PTI just before a preview of select auction pieces in the capital. Traditionally the market for gemstone carvings has been famous in the US and Germany, says Poddar. “Collecting is a niche market and has been famous in the US but is fast catching on in India too. The collectors have always been either royalty or high net worth individuals,” he says. Jamwal, whose book on the ancient art focusing on the artist from Kumawat is scheduled to be released soon, says, On October 22, the crystal ballroom at the Taj Mahal would be host to the auction in an ambiance that recreates a Jaipur Palace in the backdrop of Rajasthani paintings and Bandhini handwoven designs done on rubies and emeralds among other gemstones. Pieces in the miniature collection of rubies,emeralds, quartz and opals are priced between Rs 45,000 to as much as several lakhs. A rose quartz stone carving of Shiv Parivar and a light green Siddartha statue are both pegged at Rs 25 lakh. ■

Sculptures made from precious and semi precious stones.

PTI

Tiniest walking robot unveiled in Japan

Go, Jets, go

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oy manufacturer Tomy Co. has unveiled the world’s smallest walking robot in Japan. The human-shaped Robo-Q, which is not bigger than a thumb, can kick a football, find its way out of a maze and dodge unexpected obstacles, reports the Telegraph. The two-legged micro robot, which stands only 3.4 cm high, is fitted with artificial intelligence enabling it to navigate and play games. Built-in infrared sensors also enable the Robo-Q to walk around objects placed in its path. Robo-Q’s ability to kick and pass a ball, with the use of a remote control, means the toy could be used to play miniature table football. The robot is available in four different colours and will be sold in Japan from next February for 21 pounds before being released in Europe.

The tiny creation was among more than 100 different types of robots being showcased by companies, academics and organisations during Robo Japan 2008, a three-day convention of all things robotic, held in Yokohama. ■ ANI

쒀 A fan of The New York Jets cheers during their game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. AFP PHOTO

08 SPORT

ERGO Tuesday, October 14, 2008

ICC Academy Former Test cricketers Dayle Hadlee and Mudassar Nazar will join Rod Marsh at the ICC Global Cricket Academy (GCA) in Dubai to train and develop the best talent in world cricket. According to an International Cricket Council statement, both Hadlee and Nazar would relocate at the Dubai Sports City to take up their positions in early 2009.

Jeev rises to 55th spot The fourth place finish in the Indian Open, his best show in Delhi, pushed Jeev Milkha Singh three places up to 55 as the Indian inched towards a top 50 re-entry in the latest world golf rankings issued on Monday. Jeev, battling through a stiff neck, on Sunday posted his best show at the Delhi Golf Course which has been lessthan-kind to him in the past. Though Jeev’s 12-under aggregate was still four shots adrift of what eventual winner Liang Weng-Chong totalled, it was enough to see him jump from his previous week’s 58th position. Compatriot Jyoti Randhawa, meanwhile, continues his freefall in the ranking ladder and his tied 57th place finish in the Indian Open, which he had won thrice in the past, saw him slip 11 rungs to 126.

MASSA

declares innocence

PTI

F1 tussle hots up

Racism woes A friendly fixture between England and Spain is set to be moved from its scheduled venue of Madrid next year over fears that racism could again become the overriding feature of the match. The last time England played Spain in Madrid, in 2004, sections of the crowd at the Bernabeu stadium rained racist chants down on some of England’s players. Shaun Wright-Phillips was abused – along with Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Jermain Defoe and Jermaine Jenas. The Spanish Federation were eventually fined 56,000 euros. And with England striker Emile Heskey a recent victim of racist monkey chants on the part of some Croatia fans during their recent World Cup qualifier, England’s FA are keen to avoid having to play in the Spanish capital. Although an official agreement is yet to be reached between the FA and their Spanish counterparts. AFP

ECB appoints Waqar as bowling coach Former Pakistan pacer Waqar Younis has accepted an offer from the England and Wales Cricket Board to tour India with their academy team as a bowling consultant. “They asked me if I could accompany their academy team which is going to tour a work with young bowlers,” Waqar said in Toronto where he is commentating on the four-nation Twenty20 tournament. “They felt that with my experience of subcontinent pitches and having played in India I would be able to play a part in developing their bowlers,” he said. Pakistan’s former leg spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has also accepted a role as bowling consultant with the ECB for next year. Waqar said he was willing to work as a coach with the Pakistan team if the right offer was made to him. “I have a lot of respect for the new chairman, Ejaz Butt. If he has something in mind I will definitely consider a coaching position with the team,” the former captain said. Waqar stepped down as bowling coach of the Pakistan team before the 2007 World Cup after differences with the former Chairman Nasim Ashraf. PTI

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razilian Felipe Massa has declared himself innocent of deliberately ramming into Lewis Hamilton during a heated aftermath to Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix. Many observers suggested that the Ferrari driver turned into the Briton on purpose when they crashed during the second lap of the Fuji Speedway showdown in order to wreck the McLaren car and Hamilton’s hopes of glory. But Massa, who was handed a drive-through penalty for his part in their collision, hit back. “He (Hamilton) braked very late and I braked very late, and then I was a little bit wide in the first part of the corner,” he said. “Then he had my inside line and pushed me a little bit wide in the gravel, and then I went with the wheels on the gravel but the next corner was on the left. Then we just touched each other, so in my opinion it was a racing incident. But we (Ferrari) had a drivethrough and we paid – and it is a bit difficult to speak after the race when we have already had the drive-through.”

Blame game Asked if he had rammed into Hamilton deliberately, Massa responded: “For sure not, I had two wheels on the gravel. I could not stop the car and I was on the gravel because he pushed me into the gravel.” And in a statement that stoked up the fires of their rivalry in the world title battle, Massa then added that he felt the penalty meted out to Hamilton for the first corner incident was, however, fair. ■ AFP AFP

09

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

‘‘

Terrorists rely on support from the masses because that’s where they get their recruits, and cricket is a game which is so loved and there’s such passion in Pakistan. The terrorists know that if a cricket match is bombed, they’ve had it. The public will just turn against them. Imran Khan

Kick of a victory W

inning the Nehru Cup last year has ushered Indian football to a new age. And with a host of spirited youngsters coming in to support the evergreen skipper Bhaichung Bhutia, Indian football may at last be moving in the right direction. With Delhi lad Sunil Chetri forging a deadly combination with the skipper, the Indians are slowly rising from their sleep. Chetri came into the forefront and established himself as one of the top goal scorers in the country, notching up four goals in the competition. “I think all credit goes to our coach Bob Houghton for our Nehru Cup triumph. He instilled a sense of confidence in all of us and for the first time we had started believing that we could win a game. Look at me, for example. I have played for the top clubs in the country over the last couple of years but was always lacking something when it came to international duty,” Chetri says. India scored a total of 12 goals in the competition and their superior conversion rate was one of the main reasons behind their success. They only lost to South-West Asian giants Syria 2-3 in their group league encounter as the diminutive Indians were muscled out by the tough, taller Arabs. “Syria was way ahead of us in FIFA rankings and they could compete with the Europeans in stature and physique and we lost most of the 50-50 challenges in our group game,” Chetri recalls. When the two sides met again in

PHOTO: RAJEEV BHATT

other and the support staff of both the teams had to inter-

the final, the 112th-ranked Syrians were clearly the favourites and the question was how meekly the Indians would surrender. But a determined Indian side took the fight to their much fancied opponents and frustrated their opponents for the greater part of the first half with a stoic defence. With a 16,000-strong crowd eg-

ICC board to meet in Dubai Umpire review system, possibility of an “enhanced” Test championship and Indian Cricket League’s impending plea for recognition will top the agenda when the ICC Board gathers in Dubai for a two-day meeting starting from Tuesday. The ICC Board will review a report on the umpire decision review system, which was put on trial during the India-Sri Lanka Test series earlier this year. “If it deems it appropriate, the Board will nominate four series for further trials of the system between now and the meeting of the ICC’s Cricket Committee, due to take place in April/May next year,” the governing body said in a statement. Besides, the Board will also consider revamping the Future Tours Programme after the current FTP ends in 2012.

ging on the home team, NP Pradeep put India ahead two minutes from the lemonbreak. Chetri, who had troubled the Syrian defence with his quick burst of pace, drifted towards the left flank and floated a cross for Bhutia, who headed it down for an onrushing Pradeep to fire home a bullet past Syrian custodian Mowssab Blahowss. The visitors were clearly rattled and Wael Ayan kicked Surkumar Singh in the groin in the first half injury time after losing out on a tussle. Hell broke loose as the players clashed with each

“With the current FTP due to finish in May 2012, the ICC Board will discuss the concept of an alternative structure to bilateral tours, including the possibility of an enhanced Test championship. The concept is something that has been previously looked into by both the Chief Executives’ Committee and the ICC Board during meetings in Dubai in June/July and September,” the ICC said. The postponed Champions Trophy in Pakistan would also be on the agenda and ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat will brief the Board on how the event can be slotted into the FTP next year. The ICL’s plea for recognition will also be discussed with ICC President David Morgan scheduled to report to the Board on his discussions with the rebel league’s owner Subhash Chandra. PTI

vene. “The victory in the final was the result of teamwork. We were supporting each other to make our way through and worked on every minute detail of the game and were also able to implement it on the field,” he says. “I think we tried to be very positive and it helped that we didn’t concede any early goals. That put them under immense pressure.” With an acrobatic Subrata Paul in goal and heroics from man-of-thematch Mahesh Gawli in defence, the Indians held on to their lead and etched one of India’s best performances on the football field. ■

Sunil Chetri recalls India’s Nehru Cup final against the taller, stronger and higherranked Syrians

10 FLICK

ERGO Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Supply and no demand Victoria and David Beckham have been hit by the global credit crunch, and they are unable to sell off their Madrid mansion. The couple’s five-bedroom villa, which Victoria (34) dubbed as the Casa Beckham, has been up for sale for 17 months, and there has not been a buyer interested in buying the 5-million-pound mansion.

Friends in need Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen has found the perfect team mates to shoot a new music video with – her exbeau Leonardo Dicaprio’s best friends. Bundchen and actor/musician Lukas Haas can both be seen making their cameos in alternative rockers Blackcowboy’s new Come On promo, the Daily Express reported. The shooting of the scenes for the video is said to have taken place on Los Angeles’ Melrose Avenue on October 9. The model gelled with Blackcowboy stars Jonah Johnson and Richard Woods when she was dating DiCaprio. ■

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elebrity couple Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have renewed their wedding vows away from the public eye in Las Vegas. The duo, who tied the knot more than four years ago, repeated their promises and commitments to each other at Caesars Palace’s Forum Tower Penthouse at 3:15 a.m. on October 12. They decided on their renewal ceremony, witnessed by two friends, after having spent the night at Pure Nightclub, a representative for the hotel confirmed. “It was totally a spur of the moment

thing,” People magazine quoted a source as saying. “They decided around 12:30 in the morning that they wanted to do it and started calling for ministers,” the source added. Both singers, who attended Criss Angel’s new ‘Cirque Du Soleil’ show ‘Believe’, were thought to be in the city to mark the occasion of Anthony’s birthday last month – later supposed as a disguise. A source, who spoke to the couple, said: “(Marc) said they were in town for his birthday and they wanted to celebrate.” ■ ANI

Knotted, again Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony renew their wedding vows

A Halloween pumpkin for Palin!

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indsay Lohan is planning to dress up as the Republican vicepresidential nominee Sarah Palin for Halloween. According to pals of the actress, the costume will include the glasses, the perky red suit and ample cleavage, reports the New York Daily News. What’s more, Lohan’s gal pal Sam Ronson is considering dressing as Palin’s hubby, Todd, to complete the package. Recently, the Mean Girls star railed against the Alaska governor on her MySpace blog, calling her a “narrow-minded, mediaobsessed homophobe.” ■ ANI

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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

The Beatles’ Ringo Starr won’t sign autographs anymore! Former Beatle Ringo Starr has told his fans not to send him mails requesting for autographs because he would soon stop signing them. The drummer, hailed for his signature ‘peace and love’ symbol, said that all fan mail would be thrown away as trash after October 20 since he was busy with a lot of work.

g n i ’ z u r C ‘ No s i h t t s pa

d s angere Cruz ha r enelope hts activists afte g e ri l th a im , an Manolete a legt u signing o film ab s gored a Spanish r who w e peak o d ta a endary m a bullring at th in to death e. rs m fa mpaigne is h of hting ca articipag fi ll u -b Anti t her p happy a celebrates the are not t a th film tion in a . the rt o z plays cruel sp ovie, Cru upe Sino, m e th In ss L us actre yed by voluptuo ‘Manolete’, pla , had m y o d h ro w with rien B inner Ad 940s. 1 w e r a th c s in O nt affair lete, a a turbule kers of Mano ction a m d pro u The h tish ri -B h in Britis is n Spa e shown ar, insist b l il w xt ye which were early ne cinemas er of its stars hting h g it fi e that n l of bull and approva showing part in the film roles e g in th by tak cted to ply attra were sim g story. camn by a stro r, animal rights g ate in Howev n launch Cruz have bee y paigners e pair, especiall s on a th w n o t h s g k c u ta had tho y e th who ucer e. ish prod their sid ’s Span z, of Lolalm fi e Th Gome Vicente the film would Andres t a th ts g. sis films, in urise bullfightin stoo m love a t u o not gla b n. a film a d show “This is no bloo olving a is re e ne inv ry. Th one sce ow the There is ut it does not sh b ay did t w h In no bullfig . g n lri e ff su ,” The Te animal r this film saying. fo r e ff u bulls s im, as uoted h volvement of egraph q in e th lm did He said in the fi bully d ro B d d Cruz an supporte at the n they not mea d pointed out th that st an fighting s said in the pa a h s s actre le beosed it. she opp pe took the ro good a lo e e n b e l “P it wil e thinks cause sh ez said. AS Inom film,” G samitjana, of C t ana s e C Jordi e’s larg l, Europ a , said: n n o o ti ti a a tern organis g n ti or the h d g fi ta ti-bull s the ma nd the e k a m “The film and Franco a ineviy good gu e bad guys, so t of a th u Fascists l make a hero o for a il ls tably it w tortures anima ee any o man wh n if we do not s bulle e v k E a . living will m ering, it g.” ■ ff u in s th s ll d u o b a go ANI m e e s g n fighti

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attack on h c n u la s t tivis Cruz over Animal ac Penelope ghter film bullfi

Mani Rathnam’s team in crisis We hear that the Forest Department of Kerala has filed a case against director Mani Rathnam for felling the trees to erect a grand set within the Malayur forest in Kerala. Sources said the forest officer was shocked to see the felled trees and immediately stopped the shooting. The film has Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Vikram playing the lead roles.

Sneha dreams of National Award Actress Sneha, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday, has expressed her dream to bag a National Award. The actress has said she never aimed for an award in the movies she has acted so far. “Now I feel that the time is ripe for me to aim for the coveted award,” Sneha has said. Right now, she is busy shooting for the remake of Telugu movie Vyjayanthi IPS that had Vijayashanthi playing the lead role in the original version. On the occasion of her birthday, Sneha donated rice and grain to the inmates of Bala Vihar home in Kilpauk. www.cinesnacks.com

12 SCAN

ERGO Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Monday’s Question: If you had an office genie, what would you make him to do?

around crazy

■ Ask genie to do all the work and I will take leave.

■ Route all my managers call to his mobile.

Ramesh, Perot systems.

■ Ask him to make anyone of my colleagues get little sick only on my off days. So that I can get comp off and extra salary. 9841200502

■ Ask him to create a rest room with ultra comfy beds to relax after the tiring bus travel. Preep TCS

■ I would request him to disable the access cards for all the people in the office so that no one is able to enter the office :-) 9944643456

■ Make my boss my subordinate.

Jaya Bharathi, EDS

■ I would make the genie drop a sleeping pill in my boss’s cup of morning coffee. Akila B, Hexaware Technologies

Hema, Wipro.

■ I will request him/her to do all my office work without the knowledge of my manager. Sundeep HCL Tech

■ Genie would clone me and do all office works.. I would enjoy the other life! Prabu , Satyam

■ I will ask him to shift the office to beside my room Mohammed Shafeeq, CSS

■ My office work and my appraisal form. Jags, Polaris

JMP

■ Genie will be my all time shuttle. No bus journey. Will appear and disappear whenever I want

■ Genie will attend meetings with my boss while I do my job at my desk. R Suresh, CGSL

9940034218

■ I would ask the Genie to create a duplicate (clone) of testing team people, so that they would never ever raise any defects against my code. Satheesh K.C., Cognizant

■ I would ask him to debug my programs, which I don’t think is even possible for a genie! :) SE TEAM, POLARIS.

■ Request for one beautiful girl in my team, Gosh! we gotta depend on genies for this. – Awaiting Chennai Infoscion

■ Hey genie, act as my PL and I want to kick u off. Rakesh, TCS.

■ I would ask him to make all the systems in my office disappear. 9940212246

■ I would free him upon granting me one wish. “Make my boss a genie that would grant all my wishes.” Ranjit Kumar L

■ I would ask the genie to give mock fire alarms frequently to see people running

Karthikeyan of Hexaware Technologies Limited has nominated his colleagues as partners in crime. They clicked this pic at the Hexaware Siruseri Campus.

■ I’ ll ask the genie to make my boss have a selective amnesia so that he forgets me whenever I miss my project deadline.. 9840964540

■ I’ll ask genie 2 hang d person upside down 4 whole day, who shows partiality in office. Subhransu, Hexaware

■ Make my bosses to remember about me only at the time of appreciation and awards.

Arun Gopal J of Infosys Technologies has nominated his team as partners in crime. The picture was clicked while trekking in Rottikalu, Western Ghats.

Prince Rc

■ To signal me when ever my pm cross\Comes to my place. Sirikrish

Ergo Pick ■ I would ask him to make my boss inhale nitrous oxide (laughing gas), whenever I’m caught for a mistake.. 9994238373

Today’s Query: The most hilarious incident you came across in office.

KrishnaKumar Prabhu.N of Caliber Point and his partners in crime. They clicked this pic at Kodaikanal.

13

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

■ Dear Swetha, Wish you many more happy returns of the day. May the coming year be the best in your life. God Bless you. Warm Birthday wishes from Team BI.

Today’s Ning Updates Latest member:

Wishes, FunClub Business Implementation, Software Solutions, Scope International, Karapakkam.

Kishore Kumar

■ Hi Jai, We wish you a many more happy returns of the day.

Active Forum question: "Is Chennai the safest metro in India," posted by Senthil.

Regards, Aravind Pawar Sunil Aravindan Vaishnavi, Heartland Information Services (Formerly Spryance)

"Copycats growing in film industry," posted by Anees. Log on and register at goergo.ning.com

■ Dear QA Thala Raghu, Wish you many more happy returns of the day! Treat kuduka marandhudadheenga Thala! Best Wishes from Team WorldSource.

■ Dear Vani (Radhika G), Happy birthday to someone who is forever young like a cute little. Hope your Birthday gently breezes into your life all the choicest of things and all that your heart holds dear, have a fun filled day... Many Many More Happy Returns of the Day... Your EverLovingly (Route 4 Bus) Friends, Radhika J, Kotteswari, Khan, Kirthi, Kalai, Ashraf, Ramji, Saravana, TCS

■ My Dear Brother Ganesh, Pirandha naal nalvazhthukal... I wish u all the best for Ur wonderful, colorful & bright future. May god bless you with health, wealth and prosperity in your life. With lots & lots of Luv from Ram & Family, HCL Technologies

Ramya Thulasidaran of Infosys Technologies doodled this

■ Dear Flower Hunter Ramkumar, Advanced Birthday wishes(15th OCT). We are wishing you another year of laughter, joy, Surprises, love and happiness on this special day. From COIN Team, TCS

■ Hi Priya, Wish You Many More Happy Returns Of the Day. With Love, Sakthi

■ Dear Vivek, You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt, as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear, as young as your hope, as old as your despair. You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. Wishing you a very happy birthday. With Love& Care, Boeing friends, Wipro BPO

■ Hi Vedu (Infosys), On ur b’day I wish yu much pleasure & joy; I hope all of ur wishes come true. May each hour & minute be filled with delight, And ur B’DAY be perfect 4 yu! with luv, M.M, Wipro Technologies

Q: Party day annaiku AUDIT vandha enna seiyanum? A: Partynaa 4 per aadadhaan seivaanganu, freeya vittudanum.. - Dilipkumar, Infosys Technologies Cricket player cricket adalam Football player football adalam Hockey player hockey adalam BUT DVD Player DVD Adalama?............ Praveen kumar, Allsec Technologies.

Hello Gang, Send your greetings to [email protected], with the word ‘greeting’ and the preferred date of publication in the subject line. Example: “greeting: October 24”. This will help us organise the column. Also, those who want to dedicate greetings, please send your full name, company name and contact number for verification. Cheers, Team Ergo

14 TRAFFIC JAM

ERGO Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Man sets sail in paper boat A Chinese schoolteacher is preparing to cross the 112 mile (180 kilometre)-wide Taiwan Straits in a paper boat. Zhu Yalin, a chemistry teacher in Meishan, Sichuan province, built the craft entirely out of paper and used glue made of cooked flour soup.

sudoku

Chethan Raj of Satyam happened to encounter the big cat at Bannerghatta Forest in Bangalore. The tiger was only two feet away. Wo! Hobbies: Photography Click Pick is celebrating Wildlife Week till October 15. Make sure you send your best nature photographs for the coming issues, and also tell us why the fauna is special. 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 Head of Advertising: Sriya Narayanan [email protected]

Head of Circulation: M.G.M. Sharief [email protected]

SNAIL MAIL 859/860, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002 mail your feedback to [email protected]

FAX 2857 6691 ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Call our Advertisement Manager at 2857 6695. email: [email protected] Website: www.goergo.in

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

KAKURO

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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Word’s worth

Hopping mad

"Gammerstang" (gam-er-stang) a tall, awakward woman. Related words aregomerel, ’fool, simpleton,’ and gamphrel, ’blockhead’. Without the ’awkward’ part, such a person could be described asleptosomatic, ’lean and tall.’

A Swedish man has been arrested after failing to rob a bank wearing a blue rabbit-outfit.

B.C ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 Today, you may be in a mood to sacrifice for others. At office, you might have to indulge to sort out trivial matters. You may be in a mood to do creative tasks. Love life may require adjustments. If you learn to relinquish, your partner may like it.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20 You may be tempted to have ‘quick gains’ out of minimal efforts. To do so, you may try some shortcuts. You will be in a commanding position in the love life but you will not dominate partner, instead you will try to keep him or her in emotional clutch.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20 This is the best day to do some work related to data entry. You will be little confused about how to handle your work but if you think quietly, you will surely find a way. You may be very much tempted to meet your life partner as soon as the day is over.

BORN LOSER

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20 It is best day to take up creative tasks. You are likely to be guided by instincts. You will be less practical and more creative. Ganesha finds you chilling out with the dear one at the end of the day but expression of love will be very dramatic.

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20 You would not be able to finish off desired work in given timeframe. But you will try to achieve targets. Superiors may pressurise you to finish off particular work, which may bother you. At the end of the day, you are going to have a ball time with your lover.

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

FREE RANGE

WORKING IT OUT

Although you are very intelligent, today you may feel that nothing is working in your favour. You may need to put in extra effort at office. Be cool and friendly. You will try your level best to meet your lover’s demands, selflessly.

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20 You may be very much dedicated to your work. People around you will appreciate your work and attitude to adjust in difficult situations. You will wish to spend quite time with someone you love the most. You will receive due care from beloved.

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20 You will be so much engrossed in work that you may even forget to have lunch! Your positive qualities may come to the fore. You will enjoy time with ‘someone special’. Cupid is ready with the arrow, just let him shoot it!

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20 While you are at work, domestic responsibilities may keep demanding your attention. A professional whin you requires freedom. But don’t lose the temper even with a phone call from the family. At the end of the day, you will try to please your partner.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20 You may now think about ending one cycle of work schedule and want to move on to the next. Ensure that all steps are done at first level. The day is good for reviewing everything. You will enjoy nice discussions with your loved one.

PREVIOUS ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20 You are a planner and you always prefer to work at your time in the environment that you prefer. Today, you might have to perform in given environment! Ganesha feels that it is slightly challenging day. Love life will be full of soothing conversations.

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20 By the Grace of Ganesha, you will experience a positive change in your personality. You will be more attached to the organisation. In family life you may try to provide helping hand. If you are in a relationship, you will enjoy raindrops of love. Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni

16 !

ERGO Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Water works A Chinese man can write calligraphy with water he shoots from his eyes. Ru Anting, 56, of Luoyang, Henan province, sucks up the water with his nose and then sprays it through his tear ducts.

Candlelight dinner and locusts? Prince Harry and girlfriend Chelsy Davy enjoyed a romantic dinner with a wild menu consisting of zebras, crocodiles, and wildebeest. The couple spent the evening having a merry time while sampling boastful delicacies such as garlic locusts and chocolate-covered scorpions at the Archipelago restaurant in London’s West End. Starting with crocodile fillet seared in vine leaves with a plum dipping sauce, the duo then relished seared zebra with a port, juniper and blackcurrant sauce for main course at 20 pounds. “Neither seemed fazed by the menu. They were loving it,” News of the World quoted a diner as saying.

Men are dogs A new study shows that dogs adopt similar courting techniques as humans

ANI

Shark gives virgin birth Scientists have used DNA testing to verify that a female blacktip shark in Virginia, US, fertilized her own egg without mating with a male shark, a process which has been dubbed as ‘virgin birth’. According to a report in National Geographic News, this is the second time scientists have used DNA testing to verify shark parthenogenesis the process that allows females of some species to produce offspring without sperm. The female shark, dubbed Tidbit, died during a routine physical exam before the pregnancy was identified. A necropsy - an animal autopsy - after her death revealed she was carrying a near-term pup foetus that was about 12 inches (30 centimeters) in length. “Every part of the fingerprint of the embryo comes from the mother,’’ Chapman said. ‘‘In other words, there is no genetic material from a father,” said Demian Chapman, a researcher with the Institute for Ocean Conservation Science at Stony Brook University in New York. ANI

Sleep tight, bank right Beds were once seen as the best places to stash your goods, but with the global recession gaining momentum, it is now being seen as the place to stash money. For many, the option to hide their savings in a bed is picking up, as one bed-maker has reported that he is getting many enquiries from customers regarding a ‘bed bank.’ The bed is made with a special spring system, and it also ensures a good night sleep without fear of the money being found. “Our beds are designed to provide the most comfortable and restful night’s sleep possible and with the unique Miracoil system nothing - not even a wad of cash can impact on the mattresses comfort,” the Daily Express quoted Amanda Jones, Marketing Director at Silentnight, as saying. ANI

J

ust like men, dogs too know how to win ladies’ hearts and that too from a young age. According to a new study, while playing, young dogs let the female pups win, even if the males have a physical advantage. They might lose the game in the short run, but they could win at love in the future. The experts found that male dogs place themselves in potentially disadvantageous positions, which could make them more vulnerable to attack, and researchers suspect the opportunity to play may be more important to them than winning. In fact, the gentlemanly dog behaviour is even accompanied with a bow. “We found that self-handicapping tends to occur in conjunction with play bows,” the Discovery News quoted lead researcher Camille Ward, as saying. “A play bow is a signal that dogs use when they want to communicate playful intentions to a potential play partner,” added

Ward, a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan and director of About Dogs LLC. She is also author of the forthcoming book, Relationship-Based Dog Training. “We know that in feral dog populations, female mate choice plays a role in male mating suc-

cess. Perhaps males use self-handicapping with females in order to learn more about them and to form close relationships with them -- relationships that might later help males to secure future mating opportunities,” the expert said. ■ ANI