Ergo October 20

A BYTE OF LIFE

Monday, October 20, 2008

10 Vol. 2

FREE CIRCULATION

ZAC EFRON

Competitive spirit!

in Pirates of the Caribbean 4?

Habib’s in Tihar has rivals

No. 200

GLOW ON! Tattoos that shine under UV lights are the new ‘in’ thing. Partygoers, rejoice.

PHOTO: R. RAVINDRAN

» PAGE 03

Taking it head-on Trademark violation is the latest battle Hashnas A. is wagging against those using his restaurant name. But, this 27-year-old is not bowing down and is confident of taking his business forward. Read the story of Thalappakattu biriyani in First Innings.

» PAGE 05

07

02 NAMMA CHENNAI

ERGO Monday, October 20, 2008

Sea food festival Kayal, the sea food restaurant at Le Royal Meridien, is hosting ‘Only Shells’, an exclusive sea food festival from Tuesday. This is your chance to grab shell fishes of your choice cooked according to your preference. The food fest will be on till October 30 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. For reservations call 2231 4343/ 4353 4545.

Off-the-record

Russian rendezvous The Russian Centre for Science and Culture and Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation are organising a Russian Film Festival from October 21 to 24 at the Russian Centre for Science and Culture, No. 74, Kasturi Ranga Road, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600 018. 21.10.08 – Wizards (Magicians) – 6.30 p.m. 22.10.08 – Irony of Fate – 6.30 p.m. 23.10.08 – Evening on a Farm near Dikanka – 6.15 p.m. 23.10. 08 – The Fair Barbara with Silken Hair – 7.45 p.m. 24.10.08 – The Tale of Tzar Saltan – 6.15 p.m. 24. 10.08 – Father Frost – 7.45 p.m. For details contact 98401 51956.

Image-building exercise

First pay, first serve

Four gangsters were recently arrested by the police in connection with a murder in Aminjikarai over a week ago. ]Apparently, the gang had surrendered to the cops. But as part of a police ‘image-building exercise’ and upon a smart move by some senior officers, the surrender was depicted as an arrest to the media.

It’s bribery within police circles itself. It is known that police stations earn a good name with their top bosses if they book criminals under the Goondas Act. Therefore, there is always competition for that. Cashing in on this are some corrupt employees inside the Commissionerate, who collect Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 8,000 to send the Goondas Act booking files to the top officers on ‘first pay, first serve’ basis.

noyed with the political-style welcome.

Camera Cop

Part of the investigation

The City Police Commissioner is recently referred to as the ‘Camera Commissioner’ in media circles following the unveiling of CCTV cameras for surveillance in many parts of the city by the police. Interestingly, when the top cop had gone to inaugurate a CCTV setup in Pulianthope a few days ago, the area khakis welcomed him with a big banner with his image on it. The top cop is said to be an-

A city-based police team has been running around the country on the pretext of being on a manhunt to nab the killer of a two-year-old boy from Sowcarpet who was kidnapped and murdered sometime back. Some officers, as part of the investigations, have visited a theme park in Kolkata. Another had gone to a famous temple in Kerala, while another had taken his wife along to Mumbai. All as part of the investigation.

Lamenting juniors Junior officer have to bear the investigating expenses and transport fares for taking the arrested to the prison. A sizeable amount is sanctioned by the government to every station annually, but juniors lament that the cash is mostly pocketed by some corrupt seniors. Juniors do the hard work while the seniors enjoy all the perks, add some irked junior khakis.

To the ‘T’

쒀 Crows spotted on a streetlight in T.Nagar on Sunday after the downpour. PHOTO: S.S. KUMAR

03

Monday, October 20, 2008

‘‘

A great tattoo is a statement, not a style. And getting it is a journey, not a destination. Vince Hemingson

Tattoo, tattoo,

BURNING BRIGHT Party-goers have a new accessory – glow tattoos SHALINI SHAH [email protected]

I

t’s not radium. Something like it, though. It could be that one thing that would distinguish you under those disco lights that otherwise reduce everyone to a blur of faces and limbs. Glow tattoos are the new thing on the city’s tattoo scene. As mentioned before, they aren’t radium, so they don’t really glow in the dark. But switch on some UV lights, the ones that are usually fitted in discotheques, and they come alive on your skin with bright fluorescence. Under normal light, they look like your regular tattoos in bright ink. Not surprisingly, party-goers are slowly warming up to the idea. Ink: The Tattoo Studio in Fountain Plaza, run by Tarun Kumar, specialises in glow tattoos. Set up about six months ago, Tarun claims it’s perhaps the only tattoo parlour in the city that does glow tattoos. “While cover-ups in glow ink can be done in normal light, a new tattoo needs to be done under the UV lights,” explains Tarun. Hence, the UV light equipped studio. The tiny ink bottles glow like the ones you usually see in mad scientists’ laboratories in sci-fi movies. The ink doesn’t come cheap, either – a tiny 650 ml bottle costs as much as Rs. 14,000. A bottle lasts between 5-8 tattoos, depending on the size and design. A tattoo can cost Rs. 2,500 or above. Tarun imports his ink from the US. The removal procedure is the same as in a regular tattoo. Moreover, one can go in for an entire tattoo in glow ink or outline an existing tattoo with it. Glow on! ■

Address: INK: THE TATTOO STUDIO No. 180, Fountain Plaza, Pantheon Road, Egmore Chennai – 600 008 Ph: 98408 37097 Store timings: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Saturday (Sundays by appointment only)

(Top) Tarun Kumar of Ink: The Tattoo Studio and (left) the glow inks. PHOTOS: R. RAVINDRAN

POST-TATTOO CARE (for the next 10 days): 1. No scratching, no peeling. A new glow tattoo has a slight crust-like surface that peels off within a few days – something like henna 2. Rub oil on the area 3-4 times a day 3. Use only mild soap. Preferably, baby soap 4. No swimming, as the chlorine may cause allergies

04 KALEIDOSCOPE

ERGO Monday, October 20, 2008

‘‘

Everyone experiences tough times. It is a measure of your determination and dedication how you deal with them and how you can come through them.

Passport or identity card must for buying mobile phones in UK Want to buy a mobile in the UK? Then, make sure you have your identity, passport or identity cards at the point of purchase. According to media reports, government officials are mulling over the idea of maintaining a register containing personal details of all those who purchase a phone in Britain. The government is in talks with Vodafone and other service providers, The Sunday Times reported. The move is targeted at monitoring the owners of Britain’s estimated 40 million pre-paid mobile phones. At present, pre-paid mobile users in the UK can purchase one, in cash, without revealing their names, addresses or credit card details. A compulsory national register for the owners of all 72 million pre-paid phones in Britain would be part of a much bigger database to combat terrorism and crime, the paper said. Privacy campaigners, however, fear it marks the latest government move to create a surveillance society. PTI

Princess Diaries

The new buzzword:

MICRO-BLOGGING It combines characteristics from various communication worlds

P

osting the details of one’s doings on the Internet for the world to see is all the rage now. Micro-blogging is one recent form of short online messages that is particularly wellsuited to letting other people have permanent access to the details of one’s daily life. Experts expect that this type of exchange will soon become an integral component of digital communication. Micro-blogging combines characteristics from various communications worlds. As with traditional web-based diaries or blogs, micro-bloggers create a profile with a blog service and use it to post short entries. These posts are not normally more than 140 keystrokes long – shorter than a standard text message. One need not call up the profile page with a browser to compose and read the micro-blog messages. They are instead sent and received via Instant Messenger, SMS, e-mail or other special micro-blogging software for the computer, depending on which distribution channel the respective service uses.

The trendsetter

쒀 Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden poses for a photograph in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra on Sunday. Princess Victoria is on a 10-day visit to India. AFP PHOTO

Lakshmi Mittal

The best known service of this type is called Twitter. Launched roughly two years again, it provides a solution for family members, friends, and colleagues who are curious to find out “What are you doing right now?” The sender decides whether only specific recipients should receive the messages - tweets, in the site’s lingo or whether any and all Twitter users are welcome to read along. Subscribe to enough tweets, and a permanent flow of messages begins pouring in, letting the recipient truly dive into the lives of others. “Micro-blogging is like an ongoing hallway discussion, where there’s always something new to

After blogs, it is micro-blogging which has taken the virtual world by storm experience and where you can plug in or tune out whenever you want,” explains Benedikt Koehler, a sociologist at the University of the German Federal Army in Munich. The user is also fed interesting new tid bits, as opposed to actively surfing to them on traditional blogs. Once subscribed, recipients automatically receive their messages. That is precisely the joy of this new communications form, Koehler says. Others agree. “Because of the character count limit, it doesn’t take long to compose a micro-blogging post and, as with chat, you can answer immediately and communicate with several discussion partners at the same time,” says Henning Behme from the Hanover-based

computer technology magazine iX, naming other benefits. Success breeds imitation, and a series of new micro-blogging sites have sprung up of late. Pownce, Jaiku, and Friendfeed are all among the English-based variants. Versions in other languages have also appeared, such as the German sites Frazr, Wamadu and Niimo. Each promises additional functions and some twist of their own. Even popular social networks like Facebook, Myspace and Xing have now started working with the principle, and provide their members with an infrastructure for creating status reports. But the original remains the big name in the field. ■ DPA

05

Website of the day

US $ Pound Euro 100 Yen

Is your friend’s wedding getting out of control? Refer her to: www.bridezilla.com

48.68 84.37 65.70 48.01

SOURCE: RBI

Monday, October 20, 2008

Chennai’s Payoli Express chugs on His outlets, Thalappakattu, are at almost every busy corner but the man himself was destiny’s child

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t isn’t always a smooth ride even for the most successful of entrepreneurs. They have had their share of trials and tribulations before achieving fame. The story of Hashnas A., CEO of Thalappakattu, whose outlets are at every important street corner or junction in Chennai, is a case in point. Though fighting hurdles is something Hashnas has got used to, his entrepreneurial path remains poignant.

Starting out September 2003: A crucial period for students waiting for their visas. But, destiny had something else for this New College graduate. “It was post-9/11. I get a ‘reject’ from the U.K. Embassy and my MBA dream is doomed,” Hashnas reminisces. The bad luck phase continues. He is forced to return from Dubai within three months and, consequently, his plans to

In a Minute Company: Chennai Thalappakattu Biriyani Started: 2005 Founders: A.P. Abdulla, P.V. Basheer, S. Sulaiman Team: 248 Focus: Biriyani and fast food Website: www.thalappakattu.com Contact No: 98841 28731

support his father’s sinking business in Chennai are also quashed. With the B.Com degree Hashnas comforts himself by working with a mutual fund company for a brief period, only to join LIBA later. Confident that destiny would not again play spoilsport in his foreign plan, he discontinues the course. However, his Canada visa is also rejected. “2003-04 was the worst period of my life,” recalls Hashnas, who wanted to get a post graduate degree before taking up his father’s business. Dejected, Hashnas was left with no other choice but to help his father in his newlyopened restaurant business. “After my dad’s lodging business failed, he decided to extend Highway Restaurant, which he was running in Payoli his native town in Kerala, to Chennai,” he recalls.

That was past Though it wasn’t any cakewalk, the 27-year-old entrepreneur today is riding high with an empire he nurtured from scratch. With Rs. 40,000 A.P. Abdulla (Hashnas’ father) along with his friends – S. Sulaiman and P.V. Basheer – opened the first Thalappakattu (meaning turban) joint in Koyambedu at a small rented place. Within a month of its opening, Hashnas joined in to overlook operations and branding. But, it was the opening of the Padi outlet which came in as a turning point. Since then every four months they have been adding to the chain. Today, there are 14 Thalappakattu biriyani joints in the city.

Food chain Hashnas recalls, “I was like

any other kitchen staff in the initial months. I learnt to cook biriyani before giving orders to my staff.” Identifying new locations, inspecting each of his outlets, hiring new staffers or personally taking down orders, which he still does, have all been part of the ballgame. From 200 customers when they started, today its outlets get around 5000 people a day. Hashnas is also gearing up to tie-up with corporates. Interestingly, the Arumbakkam outlet is the first outlet with an office space for him. “I at least have time to breathe now,” he says, referring to the cushy little space and taking about his craze for shoes and watches. Hashnas is currently waging a war with others in the hotel industry who are running their restaurants using his name. “I will even go to a higher court if I don’t get back the name Thalappakattu,” he says.

Back to school Confident that he will take the food joint places – Dubai, Singapore and Malaysia are top on his agenda – Hashnas will soon be taking a break to take up a course in Hotel Management. “Now that I am in the food business, I need to explore more recipes and a degree should make the difference,” he adds, before the cell phone beeps with a customer on line. (If you are an entrepreneur with a successful business model or know one, write to us at [email protected])

Fourteen and going strong: Hashnas A. PHOTO: S.S. KUMAR

06 VILLAGE

ERGO Monday, October 20, 2008

Websites of the day Is your friend’s wedding getting out of control? Refer her to, www.bridezilla.com Hyperactive child rocks out singing school nursery rhyme http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=23636

Indo-US naval war games The Indian and US navies are all set to engage each other in war games in the Arabian Sea. The exercises, which will be undertaken under the recurrent Malabar series of exercises that commenced in 1992, would take place from October 20 in Goa. Diverse activities ranging from gun-firing and fighter combat operations from aircraft carriers, to combating the scourge of terror, through Maritime Interdiction Operations exercises would be included during the exercises. ANI

Rail-road for Afghanistan Afghanistan’s first railway network after the fall of Taliban regime, which will connect the war-torn nation to Iran, is expected to be completed before the end of 2008, Afghan website Quqnoos reported on Sunday. “The Khawaf-Herat railway linking Iran with the western Afghan city of Herat is 60 percent completed,” the website quoted Afghan Ministry of Public Work (MoPW) as saying. The 176-km-long railway, according to the MoPW, was launched in 2006 at a cost of 75 million U.S. dollars and would be completed possibly by the end of 2008. Quoting Ahmad Wali Rasouli, the deputy to the Ministry for Public Work, the website Quqnoos added that the Afghan government has planed to connect the post-Taliban nation to all its neighbouring states via rail roads. “Construction of railways between Afghanistan and its neighbours would speed up the flow of goods across the country’s borders,” Rasouli said.

Chinese Premier accepts responsibility Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said his government is partly responsible for the tainted milk incident, particularly concerning industry regulation. “We feel that though the incident occurred in enterprises, the government is also responsible,” Wen said in an interview with Bruce Alberts, editor-in-chief of the Science Magazine of the United States. In the exclusive interview at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound, Alberts said the Chinese government’s response to the tainted milk incident was “very impressive”. Wen said his government will handle the incident seriously and make sure lessons are learnt from it. The government shall also strengthen legislation so as every phase of food production, from the farm to the dinner table, is put under strict supervising according to the law, said the Premier. Xinhua

Sri Lankan army offensive Troops smashed through the “last major defences” of Tamil rebels in northern Sri Lanka where they are advancing on the political capital of the guerrillas, the defence ministry said on Sunday. Soldiers stepped up their offensive and captured a twokilometre (1.25-mile) stretch of the defence line set up by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) south of Kilinochchi, the political capital of the rebels. “Army’s 57 division troops on Saturday pierced the LTTE-built earth bund in Akkarayankulam, the terrorists’ last major defence south of Kilinochchi,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

Xinhua

AFP

It’s Palin versus Palin Palin takes Saturday Night Live by storm

I

t was Sarah Palin versus Sarah Palin late Saturday in a bizarre comedy double-take that saw the Republican vice presidential candidate join her own television mimic. Hit NBC comedy show Saturday Night Live opened with actress Tina Fey pretending to be John McCain’s running mate at a spoof press conference. The big hair-do, little red jacket and rimmed glasses were perfect. So too Fey’s Palinstyle winks, smiles, twangy accent and salt-of-the-Earth language. Then the camera cut outside the studio to the real Palin – the moose-hunting, ice-hockey loving

governor of Alaska – watching her imitator on a monitor. Palin, whom Fey has relentlessly mocked, proved that lagging in the polls ahead of the November 4 election has not dented her sense of humour. She replaced Fey at the fake press conference and boogied to a rap song ridiculing her politics and home state, all against a background of phoney Eskimos, an impersonator of her husband, and even the shooting of a theatrical caribou or two. At the close of the song, Palin, still flashing that trademark smile, said: “I’m Sarah Palin. Goodnight and have a pleasant day.”

This was the second time in a week that the Republican ticket, which faces Democrats Barack Obama and Joseph Biden in a fortnight, tried to confront its television comedy demons. McCain on Thursday appeared on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman, who has made fun of the candidate ever since he cancelled another appearance last month. But if McCain occasionally took the fight to Letterman – for example, joking that his first act as president would be to raise the comedian’s taxes – Palin played along. ■ AFP

(Left) Actress Tina Fey portrays Republican vice-presidential nominee Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. (Right) Sarah Palin AFP PHOTO

07

Monday, October 20, 2008

Rolls-Royce

This day, that year

The first Rolls-Royce was sold for $600.00 in 1906. Today the cheapest model goes for close to $200,000.

It was on October 20, 1965, that the Beatles earned a gold record for their single, ’Yesterday’. The song was the first to use a cello on a pop music hit.

Habib’s hair academy in Tihar draws competition from others

A

new hair academy in Tihar jail complex has evoked interest among some hair stylists in the capital who want to start such a facility at the prison. The Habib’s Hair Academy, started in the jail complex on October 3, has caught the attention of professionals such as Shehnaz Hussain and Silvi who have shown keen interest in opening a similar facility. Jail authorities said they are receiving calls from several hair stylists enquiring about the process for opening their own acade-

my inside the jail complex. “We have received calls from city-based professionals enquiring about the process to open their own academy in Tihar on the lines of Habib. These include the like of Shahnaz Hussain and Silvi,” a top jail official said. “We have also received proposals from 5-6 hair stylists, but we refused them as this is not something meant for professional or commercial gain, but for a social cause and upliftment of inmates so that they can live a better life after getting out of the jail,” the official added. Renowned hair stylist Jawed Habib said he was not doing it to earn a name from this social cause, but for the future of prisoners, who can start their life afresh on their own. “For a common man, our 3month course runs into thousands of rupees, but for Tihar inmates it is free of cost. We are doing it for their benefit and upliftment. We don’t want to commercialise it,” Habib said.

Jail authorities say they receive calls from city-based professionals like Shahnaz Hussain and Silvi enquiring about the process to open their own academy in Tihar on the lines of Habib

PTI

Lafarge to protect Meghalaya caves C

ement giant Lafarge has joined hands with villagers in Meghalaya to protect and preserve the world famous caves of the state. Accused of destroying the ecosystem in their operations to extract limestone in the Khasi-Jaintia region, Lafarge has announced a geo conservation programme to protect the caves at Nongtrai of East Khasi Hills district. As a first step, the cement major, in collaboration with local village councils, has begun construction of enclosures around the 125-m long Phalangkaruh caves to keep it protected. “The measures are aimed at preserving and improving the neighbourhood communities, as well as preserving the cultural heritage and ecological legacy,” said Narayan Sharma, director,

Lafarge Umium Mining Pvt Ltd. Maintaining that scientific mining and geo conservation can coexist, Sharma said the company is regularly submitting all monitoring reports to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and state pollution control board. Besides periodical monitoring of the cave systems, chronological survey of the sink-holes is being carried out to detect whether there was any change in physical appearance. The Bangladesh-based company also claimed that the sinkholes and surrounding vegetation are being left undisturbed by restricting the mining activities beyond 100 mts of sink-holes. Meghalaya has one of the longest cave systems of the world, serving as a major tourist spot. PTI

Dazzling damsels

쒀 Representatives for the Miss International Beauty Pageant 2008, L-R: Sanja Radinovic of Serbia, Miriam Carrion of Puerto Rico, Radha Brahmbhatt of India, Wendy Albizures of Guatemala and Duma Silalahi of Indonesia pose for photographers when they visit a Japanese garden at the Sankeien park in Yokohama, suburban Tokyo, on October 19, 2008. The beauty pageant will be held in Macau on November 8. AFP PHOTO/TORU YAMANAKA

08 SPORT

ERGO Monday, October 20, 2008

Hamilton wins Chinese GP Lewis Hamilton won the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday but was denied the world championship by title rival Felipe Massa, who finished second. McLaren’s Hamilton led throughout for a straightforward win but he remains just seven points ahead of Massa, taking the championship to a dramatic final race in Brazil next month.

Vengsarkar praises Dada Former chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar lauded the century scored by Sourav Ganguly at Mohali against the Australians on Saturday and said the southpaw’s decision to retire was a personal one. When asked if the century proved that the former India skipper had more cricket left in him, Vengsarkar said: “His retirement is up to him and is a personal decision. However, the century was excellent and he has played very well.” Vengsarkar also denied there being any rift between him and the batsman over an alleged interview in which Ganguly had hit out at the selection committee headed by Vengsarkar for omitting him from the Irani Trophy. “He has denied saying anything like that and it is a closed chapter,” he said. The former Indian great also praised Sachin Tendulkar for his record breaking feat and said the cricketer had managed to retain the enthusiasm with which he had entered the sport. “The enthusiasm he had then is still there. I think there are a couple of years more of cricket in him and he has done very well so far,” he said. PTI

King takes boxing to China Flamboyant US boxing promoter Don King will stage a November 7 fight card in China, with four bouts scheduled including heavyweight Andrew Golota against Ray “The Rainman” Austin. The fights will be staged at Chengdu National Stadium, with King and the Chinese government pledging that a portion of the proceeds would go to rebuilding the Sichuan area hit by a devastating earthquake in May. King has tried to stage a boxing card in China before, planning to have the third World Boxing Association heavyweight title fight between US legend Evander Holyfield and Puerto Rico’s John Ruiz in China in 2001. But that bout was called off nine days before it was due to be staged after Ruiz sustained a neck injury. The November spectacle with see Poland’s Golota (41-6-1); up against former number one heavyweight contender Ray Austin (24-4-4) from Ohio, fighting for the WBC International heavyweight championship. A WBC heavyweight elimination bout will also be showcased, pitting established contender Jameel “Big Time” McCline from New York against one of Chicago’s best young punchers, “Merciless” Mike Mollo.

Numero

Uno R

afael Nadal became the first Spaniard to secure the men’s year-end number one ranking on Saturday despite losing in the Madrid Masters semi-finals. Nadal toppled Roger Federer from top spot in August and after the Swiss also perished in the last four in Madrid the five times grand slam champion was guaranteed to finish the season on top of the ATP rankings. Saturday’s defeat meant it would be the first time since 2003 that Federer, who won his fifth successive U.S. Open crown last month, would not end the year as world number one. “To become number one during the year was one of my goals and it is important to have achieved it,” said Nadal. “Moreover, if you finish the year as number one it is even more special,” added the 22year-old after being beaten by Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-3, 5-7, 6-7. “I am also very happy to bring something more to Spanish sport, something for Spanish history and for our great tennis tradition.” The Mallorcan is also the first left-hander to claim the accolade since John McEnroe in 1984. After bagging a fourth successive French Open title in June, Nadal ended Federer’s five-year reign at Wimbledon by winning what is considered the greatest ever tennis match in July. He also became the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double. Nadal crowned a glorious season by capturing Olympic gold in Beijing before ending 27-year-old Federer’s record 237-week run as world number one. The Spaniard leads the circuit with eight titles and an 80-10 match record in 2008. ■ Reuters

AFP PHOTO: AFP

Nadal clinches year-end world number one ranking

09

Monday, October 20, 2008

Beckham joins England’s World Cup bid David Beckham and former England winger John Barnes have been appointed vice-presidents to work on the country’s 2018 World Cup bid, the FA said on its website (www.thefa.com). They will help support a new executive board and Beckham said: “I’m proud to be part of the 2018 World Cup bid and will do everything I can to help bring the tournament to England.”

R

uud van Nistelrooy’s goal after 34 seconds and Gonzalo Higuain’s penalty late into injury time gave defending champion Real Madrid a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league. Van Nistelrooy was sent off in the 39th minute of an eventful game at Vicente Calderon Stadium, nine minutes after the dismissal of Atletico right back Luis Perea on Saturday. Madrid, which has not lost against Atletico for nine years, has 16 points from seven matches. Atletico, which scored through Simao Sabrosa in the 90th minute, has nine points after losing its past three games. The match came five days after UEFA punished Atletico by shutting its stadium for two Champions League games and

forcing the team to play at least 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the capital following crowd disorder, racist abuse and poor organisation at its match with Marseille on October 1. UEFA postponed the sanction on Thursday, allowing Atletico to host next Wednesday’s fixture against Liverpool. Villarreal moved atop the standings after securing a 0-0 draw at Espanyol. Van Nistelrooy stunned Atletico by swiveling before sending a shot from outside the area that beat goalkeeper Leo Franco at his left post. The goal was Van Nistelrooy’s fourth in the league this season. Madrid almost doubled their lead two minutes later when midfielder Wesley Sneijder unleashed a fierce drive which Franco tipped onto the crossbar. After Atletico’s Mariano

Real win

Madrid derby Draw away to Espanyol leaves Villarreal on top of La Liga

Pernia and Sergio Aguero had come close with angled shots, Van Nistelrooy put the ball in the net from close range in the 21st minute only to be ruled offside. Television replays suggested otherwise.

Raul denied Shortly after Madrid captain Raul Gonzalez also had a goal disallowed, Perea was sent off after his hand left Sneijder with a bloodied nose as the pair tussled for the ball. Van Nistelrooy was then ordered off for a scything tackle on midfielder Maniche for his second dismissal in less than two months. The striker was sent off in Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup second leg against Valencia on August 24. The two teams took

advantage of the extra space to create a host of chances in the second half, with Madrid’s Iker Casillas the busier of the two goalkeepers. Casillas was finally beaten when Simao, who came on in place of Pernia at halftime, curled a free kick home to equalise. However, Madrid substitute Royston Drenthe was tripped in the penalty area by defender John Heitinga, and Higuain converted for the winning goal in the fifth minute of injury time. Madrid lacked injured forward Arjen Robben and midfielders Jose Maria “Guti” Gutierrez and Mahamadou Diarra but expects to have the trio available for Tuesday’s Champions League game at Juventus. ■ PTI

Real Madrid’s captain Raul Gonzalez (right) evades a tackle from Athletico Madrid’s Raul Garcia during a Spanish league match at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid. PHOTO: AFP

10 FLICK

ERGO Monday, October 20, 2008

Playboy to stop making DVDs to beat credit crunch Playboy has decided to stop its DVD production in order to protect itself from the effects of the stumbling economy. With this it will be saving around 12 million dollars every year. Playboy Enterprises Inc have now revealed that instead of DVDs, they will now be focussing more on distributing their content online. ANI

H

igh School Musical actor Zac Effron has been roped in to star in the forthcoming sequel of Pirates of the Caribbean series, according to reports. The 20-year-old is said to have been approached to star along with Captain Jack Sparrow in what will be the fourth sequel in

the series – to eventually replace Johnny Depp as the protagonist. The young heartthrob has allegedly been offered 10 million dollars by Disney to share the screen in the upcoming blockbuster film series. “Disney knew that Zac was reluctant to do any more High School Musical movies,” Con-

tactmusic quoted a source as telling the National Enquirer, “He had already said there was ‘no way’ he’d return as Troy. So the Disney brass came up with an offer he couldn’t refuse,” the source added. Efron has recently rubbished rumours alleging that he had been asked to take over Daniel Radcliffe’s role in Equus. ■ ANI

Captain ‘Zac’ Sparrow? According to rumours, Zac Efron has been roped in for Pirates of the Caribbean 4

Nelly Furtado weds secretly

G

rammy-winning Canadian singer Nelly Furtado was secretly married over the summer to the sound engineer on her last album, she revealed to Entertainment Tonight Canada. She and Demacio Castellon were hitched on July 19, she said. “I love it.” “I just feel kind of free and relaxed and more in tune with trying not to be so stressed out,” she said. “I’m happy ... I’m excited about the future.” Furtado (29) skyrocketed to fame in 2000 with her debut album Whoa, Nelly!, which included the hit single ‘I’m Like a Bird’. She won a Grammy for best female pop vocal performance for the multiplatinum debut album, but her 2003 follow-up Folklore, which used more acoustic grooves, was less successful. The newlyweds worked together on Furtado’s third album Loose in 2006, with its songs ‘Promiscuous’ and ‘Maneater’ briefly topping the charts in the US and Britain, respectively. Furtado grew up in the westernmost Canadian city of Victoria, the daughter of immigrant parents from Portugal’s mid-Atlantic Azores islands. The singer has a child, four-year-old daughter Nevis, from a previous relationship that ended in 2005. ■ AFP

The last straw

M

adonna and Guy Ritchie’s eight year marriage went downhill when the singer demanded her 1.5-millionpound gift back from her director hubby. The singer had allegedly gifted the cash to her hubby, who wanted to make a documentary, since his own finances were stuck. However, Guy had apparently announced that he was suspending the project owing to their tumbling relationship, which infuriated the 50-year-old, making her demand her money back. “After so much heartache, Guy just felt the way Madonna behaved over the loan wasn’t like a loving wife should,” the Mirror quoted a source as saying.

“He had already said there was ‘no way’ he’d return as Troy (in High School Musical). So the Disney brass came up with an offer he couldn’t refuse

ANI GETTY IMAGES

11

Monday, October 20, 2008

£2,000 reward for the safe return of ‘Macca’s head’ An English auctioneer has announced a reward of 2,000 pounds for the safe return of a wax head of Sir Paul McCartney, which he lost on a train. Joby Carters, 33, of Carters Entertainment and Steam Fair, said that the 10,000-pound treasury has been made by Louis Tussaud’s in Yarmouth, Norfolk. According to him, the wax head is due to be sold off next week. ANI

Cine City

Real

Slim Shady

will stand up Ilayaraja, Yesudas team up in Nandalala

Eminem’s new album set to hit shelves soon

E

minem, who’s been missing from the musical scene for the last four years, has revealed that his sixth album, titled Relapse, will hit the shelves by the end of the year. The real Slim Shady, whose last album Encore was a major success, has cautioned his fans on his satellite radio station, Shade 45, not to be misled by “fake album titles”. “There are a lot of fake album titles floating out there – a lot of bull**** titles,” the Sun quoted him as saying.

“The real title of my album that’s coming out is Relapse,” he added. The rapper had withdrawn from the music scene following his rehab recovery fighting sleeping pills addiction, and the agony had doubled with the murder of his best pal and onstage sidekick, ‘Proof’. His comeback album has been produced by Dr. Dre, who gave him full liberty to write the lyrics. ■

The irresistible duo, Yesudas and maestro Ilayaraja, are coming together after many years in Nandalala. The film, produced by Ayngaran International, is being directed by Myskin. Myskin plays the lead role, while Snigdha of Kathala Kannala fame plays the female lead. Actress Rohini, who has acted in films like Marupadiyum and Magalir Mattum, plays a prominent role in the film.

ANI

Priyamani pairs up with Maddy Actress Priyamani pairs up with Madhavan in Thangar Bachchan’s next film. The film, to be produced by Ayngaran International, has Sathyaraj playing the role of Madhavan’s father. The actress, who won the National Award for best actress for her performance in Paruthiveeran, is currently acting in a movie directed by Mani Ratnam. After finishing Mani’s film, Priyamani would act in Thangar’s film.

AFP

12

ERGO Monday, October 20, 2008

Friday’s question: What would your reaction be if your blind date turned out to be 10 years elder to you?

number’ Vipin Mittal, TCS

■ I’ll immediately call my dad and say, "Dad, I met a prospect CHITTI. Are you available for a date now?" Arun, TCS.

■ Easy man, enjoy ur dinner, and he/she gonna pay the bill. K.Dhanajeyan, Interglobe

■ Sorry! Better find someone else. Praveek Kumar, Allsec tech

■ Instead of enjoying DATE, I scold my FATE

■ He will be more understandable and caring due to extra 10 years of maturity. Hence I will say thanks to God.

Jags, Polaris

■ When the elder woman enters and I see her, I call my friend and say, what , when did the accident happen? I will rush immediately. Sorry aunty. I have to go’ 9894369726

■ ’Wine refines with age’, so, no regrets ;)

Suhasni, CGSL

■ Kozhi kuruda iruntha Ennada kozhumbu rusiya irunkangiradhu than mukkiyamda mandaiya DSK Prasath, Interglobe

■ I will tell her . . .I will marry you after 10 years. Then I’ll become as old as you ’

Senthil P, RR Donnelley

■ Hey you look exactly like my elder brother who died just b4 my grand pa was born! Annnnnna! Show your hand.. Happy Rakshabandan Padma Gopal, CTS

■ Don’t forgive the idiot who made you wait ten years and let me go. Sridher,miva, Perot Systems

■ ’Enna kodumai sir idu :-)

Jai Issac of Perot Systems nominates his team members as Partners in Crime. They clicked this pic at Pondicherry

Abilash – CTS

■ Reaction.. I will be like uncle how are u;-) 9841263374

■ Neenga poitu unga thambiya anupareengala. Annapoorani M, TCS

■ Who really cares about the age if the female looks good? Come on man you know what guys want 9345163696

Vaishnavi

■ I will act like a mental so that she will stay away. David- ATW, Perot Systems

■ Ask him if he is 10 times riches too ;-) Nivedita

■ Apdi iruntha en friend bheem boykku intro kudupean. Avanukkuthaan aunties pidikkum. banian size 42 friends Saachuputa machaan...:-( (in Vadivelu’s slang) Jai, CGSL

■ No Issues, Enjoy that moment, after all experience always matters 9962077887

■ ’Oops !! Sorry Aunty ji ... Wrong

■ I would like to continue with my date as promise is a promise and that’s what TCS says experience certainty. So being an employee of TCS, we will follow it SHIKHA, TCS

Julian of Infosys nominates his colleagues as Partners in Crime. They clicked this pic at Skandagiri near Bangalore.

■ "All the more better, coz its better to be an old lady’s darling than to be a young girl’s slave. Rus, Ajuba

Today’s Query Any interesting incident you experienced while travelling in your office cab or bus?

Vicky of Wipro Technologies has nominated his friends as Partners in Crime.

13

Monday, October 20, 2008

Mylan Udaykumar has been nominated as Office Angel by A. Satiish of Citigroup Global Services Limited, Chennai. He is our Asst Manager and it’s a pleasure to work under his leadership. We enjoy every moment of our work with great enthusiasm and pleasure even under immense work pressure under his guidance.

■ Engal Uyir tholan soapraj Varusha varusham un size um GF count um athigamavuthae thavira arivu valantha mathri theriyala...Intha varushamavthu un vayasoda arivum saenthu valarathum...Happy Bday Prassanna... PD Team,Satyam Computer Services Ltd.

■ Hi Jothi Eswar (Biscuit) Wish U Many More Happy Returns of the Day. As this time we learn from you, the dedication you have towards the job, we wish you Good Health, Happiness, Love, Cheer, Laughs, Good times and many more Success this year and in years to come.

With Love, Deepa Mirpuri, Subhasree, Prasanth, Saravana, Siva, Leo and Sudhakar. IBM

V.D.Kanchana from Satyam Computer Services Ltd doodled this.

■ Hi Rozario You bring out the best in us! We’re so lucky to have a Team Leader as wonderful as YOU! Here’s wishing YOU a day that’s as special as you are! Today is your special day & according to the Company policy.. You got to have a fun day at work! Happy Birthday! ’You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.’

With lots of luv, "F4 gang", HCL Tech.,Chennai

■ Dear Sasi Wish you many more happy returns of the day. Have a happy and contented life forever.

From, Ghouse,Viji,Ravi,Lavanya,Jasmine, Ishwarya, Murugan,Ragavendhiran HCL & Hexaware Technologies

■ Dear Muthuraja You are very special and you deserve the best. We wish you a wonderful life filled with love and happiness. We hope others bring you joy, just as you’ve brought joy to us, then you can weather any storm and be all you want to be. Wish you a very happy Birthday.

With Love&Care, Boeing friends,Wipro BPO, Chennai.

■ Dear Siva Wishing you a belated happy birthday. May you and your family be showered with all the best things in life!!!

Regards, Satyam SAP Solution Studio Team

■ Dear Surekha (HCL-cisco) Wishing you Many more happy returns of the day. May God bless you on this day (20- Oct). Let all your dreams come true. Have a great year ahead. Belated Happy Birthday !

From your beloved friends HCL Technologies Ltd

A man once brought a crow. On touching its head, we discovered that it was very soft. What would be the name of that crow…?? Any guess?? It’s “Microsoft” (Mi Cro Soft) Karthikeya Srinivasan .S Hexaware Technologies.

Friend1: Kalakkura madhiri Onnu Sollava nanba ?? Friend2: Sollu da nanba Friend1: (after a pause..) KARANDI !!!!! Chandrasekaran S Hexaware technologies

.

■ Dear Anitha Wish you many more Happy returns of the Day.May the coming year be the best in your life.God Bless you.

With Lots of Luv,G.Subashini & Family.

■ Dear Saravana If there’s something that you’re dreaming of then may it all come true, because you deserve it all...HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Hearty Wishes from, UST-Global, Chennai.

■ Dear Nithya Darling Every Little Smile can touch Somebody’s

heart. May U find hundreds of reasons to smile today and May U be the reason for someone else to smile always! Have a fun filled Birthday and let all your dreams come true.. Birthday wishes from your beloved friends... Harini Sathyanarayanan Citigroup Global Services Ltd

■ Hi Harish Wish you many more happy returns of the day.. This day is very special to us as you are someone really special to everyone of us. May God bless you with all love and affection in this world. Wish you great success and prosperity in the years to come. Have a rocking day.

Best Wishes from, Alagammai, Aruna, Mari, Srini, Gayathri, Shalu and Priya, Infosys Technologies Ltd.

■ Hi Raga(RagavendraRaj) Wish You Many More Happy Returns Of the Day. Let all your dreams come true and God bless you with the Happiness and Success in your life.

Happy Birthday from your ever loving friends:-) Ramco Systems Ltd.

■ Dear Prinja (Sweety) Warm Wishes for ur birthday. Happy Birthday! May God Shower his blessings thru this birthday.

WBA Wipro Technologies

■ Hi Thanammal – Thanumalaya Perumal, “ A dwelling for love, a place of care. May the ‘nest’ be filled with joy, for the lovely pair! Wishing you both a lifetime of togetherness! Congratulations! Wish you a happy married life!

DHL- FMS team, CTS.

■ Hi Anwar Ji On this wonderful day, May God showers His blessing to you to lead a happier, healthier and peaceful life. You have born to keep others happy. But today I would like to make ’U’ happy by saying, Dear! Wish You many more happy returns of the day...

With Love, SuryaNarayanan.S

■ Dear Kiran We wish you a cheerful B’day and colorful life ahead. Many happy returns of the day. May all your dreams (of course only good onesJ) come true.

Cheers, CAT Mfgpro Team

■ Hi Karthik Happy Birthday to you. May All Wishes come true .God Bless You..

By Amma, Appa, Thatha and Patti Hcl Technologies

■ Dear Hubby/Mani, Many many more happy returns of the day Mani Chellam… Have a very nice & prosperous year ahead… May all the forthcoming days pour happiness and joy on you for your lifetime…!!!

With Luv, Indhumathi TCS(SNR)

14 TRAFFIC JAM

ERGO Monday, October 20, 2008

Basketball player thrashed A British man wearing jeans and a V-neck jumper beat a U.S. basketball star in a one-on-one contest that has become a YouTube hit.

sudoku

Chandru Ganeson of TATA Elxsi clicked this picture in Pahalgam, Kashmir. He is in awe of this hill station, with its green grass, crystal clear water and all things beautiful. Hobbies: cycling, trecking and photograghy

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

TEAM Editor: Karthik Subramanian [email protected]

Sr Dy Chief Designer: J.A. Prem Kumar Dy Chief Designer: R. Ravi Kannan Illustrator: R. Venugopal Technical Support: V.R. Vasudevan, K.G. Gurumurthy N. Ravichandran, E. Baskar Head of Advertising: Sriya Narayanan [email protected]

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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

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Monday, October 20, 2008

Word’s worth

Stuck lift nabs criminal

"Karmadharaya" (kahr-muh-dahr-ee-uh) a compound word in which the first part of the word describes the second, such as highway (adjective + noun) or steamboat (attributive noun + noun). From karma plus a Sanskrit word meaning ’holding, bearing.’

A German thief was busted after he got stuck in the lift of an office block he’d just burgled.

B.C ARIES MARCH 21 - APRIL 20 What happens when luck supplements hard work? It is a win-win situation. That is how your day is going to be. On the relationship front, things are more or less comfortable and smooth. To sum it up, the day is pretty good, make the most of it.

TAURUS APRIL 21 - MAY 20 You will be in a very esoteric mood today. Your mood may trigger off things which are either unwanted or not timely. Since you are so touchy today, Ganesha wants you to be very careful with words, especially with colleagues and family.

GEMINI MAY 21 - JUNE 20 Kindness flows in your heart like never before. It surely is a good day to do some good to the world. On the love front, generosity will need to take a different turn. Go buy something romantic for your beloved, it will surely make your day.

BORN LOSER

CANCER JUNE 21 - JULY 20 All your cells are charged today. Ganesha foresees you working hard and perhaps for longer hours today. Work will not wear you out today and you may go for a family dinner. A long drive with your beloved will be a perfect idea to end the day.

LEO JULY 21 - AUG 20 Truth and dare is not the game for you today. In fact, before taking any decisions, please consult someone. Rest all is fine, and you will be in a very cheerful mood throughout the day. If you get free time, try to do some extra reading, it may help.

VIRGO AUG 21 - SEPT 20

FREE RANGE

WORKING IT OUT

The real test in life comes when your patience is tested when you are actually in a hurry. Most of the times, your time will run out today and you may reach late at various places. In issues related to love, try to be as practical as possible.

LIBRA SEPT 21 - OCT 20 People who may pin point your mistakes are not necessarily your enemies. Just relax if there are such incidents, they may be people who genuinely want to help you. On the domestic front, you may feel like introducing your sweetheart to your family.

SCORPIO OCT 21 - NOV 20 You are likely to make hasty decisions today. Don’t rush things and try to understand them before you actually go ahead with them. The worst thing about these decisions will be that you won’t be able to rectify them, so please be cautious.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 21 - DEC 20 After a few mishaps in the morning, you will regain your confidence after lunch hours. Ganesha suggests not stopping trying if you want to be confident. On the romantic front, challenging tasks are a complete ‘No’. Better options would be a candle lit dinner.

CAPRICORN DEC 21 - JAN 20 Although philosophy appeals to you, Ganesha finds you to be very materialistic today. Not that it is bad, but try not to get too carried away with it. Your philosophical and spiritual side may impress members of the opposite sex today.

PREVIOUS ISSUE’S SOLUTIONS

AQUARIUS JAN 21 - FEB 20 There may be a lot of gains on the PR aspect today. However, you need to take special time out if you want to develop good relations outside your organization. Your partner will be in a cheerful mood, so there is a lot of fun to look forward to.

PISCES FEB 21 - MARCH 20 The day will be very long and dull today. Ganesha suggests you break your routine and take time out for something different. Maybe lunch with friends or a movie can be a good idea. If it is possible take a half day off and go shopping with your beloved. Predictions by Bhavesh N. Pattni

16 !

ERGO Monday, October 20, 2008

Our best man When British couple Harriet and Andrew Athay got married there was only one choice for their best man - their pet dog Ed.

Bodybuilding pioneer is no more B

en Weider, a legend who turned bodybuilding into a worldwide fitness phenomenon, died overnight in a Montreal hospital, it was announced on Saturday. He was 85. Weider and his older brother Joe founded the International Federation of Body Building in 1940, and spent six decades promoting the sport once “reviled” as a “fringe activity,” according to a statement by Weider Health and Fitness. “Beginning in 1947, Ben travelled the world, promoting his sport, organising exhibitions and competitive events,” it said. “At the height of Cold War tensions, he courted sports officials of militantly anti-Western regimes in the then-Soviet Union and Communist China,” it added. The brothers set up fitness centres, sold weight-lifting equipment and promoted nutritional supplements for body builders. Ben Weider also pushed to have body-building included in the Olympics, but it achieved only provisional status in 1998. He also co-authored one of the best selling history books about Napolean, earning him the French Legion of Honour for his investigative work into the French leader’s death. Next week, a collection of his Napoleonic artefacts are to be unveiled in a permanent gallery at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Weider’s funeral will be held Monday in Montreal. AFP

Love letters, hiking shoes, fishing rod… 60 such gifts for my Prince Camilla all set to surprise Charles on his 60th birthday

T

he Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, plans to surprise her husband, Britain’s Prince Charles, with 60 different birthday gifts when he turns 60 next month, media reports said on Sunday. A leather-bound volume of couple’s love letters was among the 60 intimate gifts she has selected for the occasion, according to the Mail, which quoted unnamed friends of the duchess. The newspaper also listed a pair of hiking shoes, a fishing rod, chessboard with handmade pieces, roses for the garden and a framed page from the Times newspaper on the November 14, 1948 birthday of the heir to the throne. Charles’ birthday is to be celebrated with a banquet hosted by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, at Buckingham Palace, followed the next night by a party for a few dozen of his closest friends at Highgrove, the prince’s residence in Gloucestershire. ■ DPA

Father takes son to court for idleness A father took his 20-year-old son to an Islamic court in northern Nigeria for idleness, asking that he be sent to prison for refusing to engage in productive activities, state news agency NAN said. “He is not listening to words and he is bringing shame to my family. I am tired of his nefarious deeds. Please put this boy in prison so that I can be free,” Sama’ila Tahir, a market trader in the northeastern town of Bauchi, was quoted as saying. Reuters

Waiting for the surprises: Prince Charles and Camilla. PHOTO: AFP